The first few minutes of the game started strong with Havering taking some opportunities and pressing the opposition high up the pitch. Havering eventually converted this with a goal by the returning Greg Carolan, striking on the reverse (something we've seen all too often). Waltham Forest answered with some good pressure of their own pinning Havering back for a good portion of the half. Havering a back line held firm but found it hard to transfer the ball across the back line at speed. Midfielders tried to provide options but were pinned down quickly by the opposition. It resulted in lots of hitting and hoping with the occasional burst of possession. A lot of opportunities were lost due to rushed passes and Hollywood balls. Thankfully Havering then went further ahead with a "drag flick" from Jack Harding. A good effort but even Havering's Afteni conceded that he would've "been annoyed to have let that in."
Havering went on the attack again but were cut apart in a deadly counter down the left side of the pitch. Gareth Cast making the effort to slow the attack but being beaten. The Havering defence (a little panicked) began swinging and hoping but the player managed to find the back of net.
Waltham Forest smelled blood but the half time whistle blew.
At half time many messages were delivered, effort, positioning, passing. The team reset but similar problems persisted. Tackles were made and then passes mislaid. Challenges were not always strong enough and hands were raised. Tempers started to fray and Havering began to complain a lot to each other. Positions changed and Havering just couldn't click.
Eventually Waltham Forest found another goal, a ball shelled through the D, bypassing players of both teams to be touched home just in front of Afteni who had no time to react. The game was tight and both teams had bouts of possession without delivering a final blow.
Havering sought a winner but found only a green card. Ollie West the recipient for mildly upsetting a player on the other team. The actual cause was unclear. Havering were able to win a couple of short corners (Kennedy making a nice drive down the right) but no luck. The game ended 2-2. A respectable and fair scoreline for the game but Havering went away feeling dismayed.

However to the delight of the 3's squad, squandered points by title rivals Bengal Tigers, left Havering 3's top of division 4 come Saturday evening. A positive outcome for the first 5 games hard work.

Ps. Positives

Jack scored
Greg scored
Ollie rattled a man probably 3 times his age
Another team lost so we are top still
Lucas had new shoes and didn't fall over

Authored by: Bill Birbeck
Editor: Luke Clarke (lol)