Havering 4s vs Braintree 5s

Havering made the hour’s journey to Braintree for a 4:30pm PB looking for another win to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and maintain their position at the top of the table.

The game started and both sides were feeling each other out in the early stages. Havering’s defence was sitting quite high on the pitch and a youthful Braintree side began to influence play by breaking the back line with wide through balls and this led to them scoring a quick one-two pair of goals on the counter attack, the first squeezing in by a narrow margin at the near post.

Following the two goals, Havering responded by retaining the ball better and actually releasing the wings, bringing width to their game and unlocking attacking threat. Harry Pengelly was a constant opening on the left and was very influential in getting the ball forward smartly and quickly into threatening areas when found by his teammates.

Toby John pulled one back from Havering with a strong low finish to the left corner of the goal from an imperious solo run from the central attacking midfield position. Havering then pulled themselves level just before half-time, with right-winger Alex Bilby finishing at the far post for his first competitive goal in his second ever match of hockey.

Havering started well in the second half, but were caught by a sucker-punch counter attack, against the run of play started by the Braintree number 7 and finished with aplomb by the Braintree number 65. Braintree have two great talents in these players and judging by their performances, these players will be moving up their ranks at the club in short order.

Havering once again picked themselves up off the floor and equalised again, with Lucas Afteni scoring from a short-corner with ten minutes to go. The game looked destined for a draw, but Braintree’s number 65 scored again with a mazy, almost preternatural goal hit on the reverse after dribbling through the HHC defence, this was a goal that would grace any division in this East section.

Havering doubled-down with effort for the last 5 minutes, trying to force yet another equaliser, but the clock ran out before they could find it.

A first defeat of the season for Havering in spite of great effort against a formidable opponent, perhaps a reminder that this league will pose challenges in the weeks ahead. Havering man of the match was Harry Pengelly with his best performance for the team.

HHC remain top of the table by virtue of goal difference and having played a competitive game more than 2nd placed Chelmsford, whom HHC play next in three weeks time.

Final score:

Braintree Mens 5’s 4 - HHC Men’s 4’s 3