SEASON 2007 / 8
Mens 1st (5) vs Broxbourne (0) on 29 - mar - 08
After five league games, a cup game and a friendly Havering finally picked up their first victory over Broxbourne since promotion to Premier A.
Havering welcomed Steve Ashlin and James Barnes into the side but were without the suspended Alastair Lewis and Joe Wright, Ashlin slipped into centre back with Dan Rees moving back to his familiar position up front.
Havering started the game well and in the opening ten minutes forced three short corners with Leroy Phillips testing the away keeper on numerous occasions. The home side continued to push with Nick Lampkin directing play through the middle allowing Chris Dunn and Rees to gain a high percentage of possession up front. Adam Lumbers and Lewis Smith were also aiding the attacks with good runs up the wings, although with Havering playing high Broxbourne started to break at Havering and from a few short corners of their own tested the home defence and Keeper Marc Lloyd.
Phillips started to cause the away defence problems and won another corner for his side, Rees stepped up and fired into the bottom corner to give Havering a 1-0 lead at half time.
Broxbourne forced Havering back in the early stages of the second half and threatened with some good possession around the Havering circle but it was Havering that made the next breakthrough, good work from Dunn and Phillips set Dan Rees free on the right of the circle, Rees drove to the baseline and slipped the ball back to the top for the waiting Phillips whose shot slipped just inside the post.
Nick Lampkin was carded for a stick tackle in the second half but even reduced to ten men the midfield of Barnes, Johnson, Hinton and Smith kept the experienced Broxbourne midfield quiet. Cranston was bought on to aid the Havering attack and nearly made it three when he beat the last man only to have his shot saved.
Although soon after it was 3-0 when Chris Dunn's clever reverse stick pass once again set Rees free at the right of the circle, once again on the baseline but this time faced with the Broxbourne keeper, Rees lifted the ball over the keeper and across the goalmouth when a unforeseen bounce spinning the ball into the net.
It was soon 4-0 when from another short corner Lampkin shot was saved but the rebound fell to Lewis Smith who slapped home his first goal of the season, Lampkin and Johnson were then substituted for the remainder of the game and were on the side to celebrate the fifth goal with coach Alastair Lewis when Rees completed his hat-trick with another short corner strike.
Havering now guaranteed a top half finish sit level on points with fourth placed Blueharts who they face in the final game, a win will leave Havering finishing the season in fourth after a great run from the christmas break.
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Mens 1st (3) vs Wapping (2) on 15 - mar - 08
Havering travelled to Wapping on saturday for a local derby where they had won the reverse victory in a close game 1-0 at campion. Having won six of their nine games on their travels so far in the season Havering were aiming to make it seven to keep pace with their aim of a top half finish.
Havering went into the game missing the suspended Alastair Lewis and also James Barnes so Greg Mawdsley and Tim Cranston were bought in.
The game didn't start to plan for the away side though as a reshuffled side found it difficult to cope with a Wapping side clearly up for the game needing the three points to stay alive in their relegation battle.
Havering made countless mistakes across the pitch and it was not long before Wapping had their first short corner, a routine found the injector unmarked on the back post for a tap in, although a miss hit shot was going wide another Wapping player tapped in on the back post.
Although still making numerous mistakes Havering started to earn a share of possession and were unlucky not to be on level terms on two occasions when the home keeper made fantastic saves first from Joe Wright and then Chris Dunn. The keeper was then again called upon saving from three Havering short corners.
Havering were reduced to ten men just before half time with Nick Lampkin picking up his first yellow card of the season and was punished just after the restart when Wapping made their numerical advantage count making it 2-0 after a quick breakaway.
Quick changes were made with Tim Cranston coming on as Centre Back releasing Lewis Smith to his old position of left midfield. For the first time in the game Havering began to put pressure on the Wapping backline with and without the ball and continued to do this for the remainder of the match despite being reduced to ten men on another two occasions.
Havering got back into the game from their first short corner of the half, Joe Wright smashed the ball into the bottom corner to give Havering hope of a fight back.
Although Havering continued to have the better of the game it looked unlikely they would get anything with five minutes to play but from another short corner they were awarded a Penalty flick as Leroy Phillips was fouled as he attempted to shoot at goal, Phillips steeped up and finished with ease.
With minutes to go it looked unlikely either team would create a winner but Havering managed to win another short corner, although it seemed the chance had gone when a miss trap at the top of the circle sent the ball out to the halfway line, Dan Rees was first to the ball and hit the ball with force back into the circle, the unmarked Chris Dunn got a deft touch sending the ball in at the near post. Havering battled out the closing stages to gain three points.
Havering host Broxbourne at Campion the week after Christmas and will look to beat them for the first time in three years.
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Mens 1st (0) vs Harlston Magpies (3) on 08 - mar - 08
Havering hosted run away leaders of Premier A Harlston Magpies, in itself this is a formidable task but missing Lewis Smith, mike Smith and Adam Lumbers it was always going to be a tough match for Havering even though they were the in-form side in the division since christmas.
Youngster Marcus Hall was bought up from the seconds for only his second ever first team match and started on the side and witnessed Havering having the better of the early exchanges, using Nick Lampkin well to find the Havering forwards, Havering for the first ten minutes had a good share of possession in and around the Harlston final third but failed to come up with the final pass or shot at goal.
Harlston started to find their way into the game and began to control possession gaining a couple of short corners in the process, Havering defended well keeping Harlston's chances to a minimum and seemed to be keeping Harlston quiet until an attack down the right bought another short corner, a firm drag flick found the corner of the net.
The game went without incident until half time but after the break Havering's indiscipline which had not been seen for some time crept in and two players were yellow carded in quick succession, Harlston took advantage and after a free hit outside the circle a Harlston forward deflected well into the goal.
Havering continued to defend well for the remainder of the match most notably Dan Ress normally a centre forward filling in at left back for the day. Rees produced a fantastic display and might have to look into a permanent change to the back.
With minutes to go Havering had one last go to get something to show for their efforts taking off Kepper Marc Lloyd and playing with eleven outfield although the plan did not work as Harlston broke down the pitch and grabbed a third.
Joe Wright and Leroy Phillips slick stick skills troubled Harlston all afternoon but the away side broke down play as much as Havering although were not dealt with in the same way receiving no cards what so ever!!!!!! Harlston should be congratulated for a strong season .
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Mens 1st (4) vs Dereham (1) on 01 - mar - 08
Havering made the two and a half hour journey to Dereham for an important match in the battle for a top half finish, Havering were three points above their opponents before the game but the home team had a game in hand.
Dereham started the match well and dominated the early proceedings with Havering struggling to adapt to a very slippery pitch with Marc LLoyd called upon early to make a good save and clearance.
Havering started to work their way back into the game and were awarded the first short corner of the match, Joe Wrights shot was saved well by the home keeper.
Dereham then went on to get two corners of their own with the second producing another good save from Lloyd down to his right.
Havering's forwards and midfield started to put pressure on the Dereham back line and were rewarded when Paul Johnson intercepted a clearance from defence and drove towards the circle, the Dereham defence closed him down but Johnson slipped the ball to Wright at the top of the circle, Wright went to his reverse but pulled back and struck the ball into the roof of the net.
With minutes to go before half time Havering were two up when Leroy Phillips intercepted after a mistake from the Dereham defence on the left of the circle, Phillips dribbled his way through a defender and as he approached the Keeper slipped the ball to Chris Dunn on the baseline who calmly slipped the ball into the empty net.
Havering adapted their tactics at half time and Johnson man marked the dangerous Dereham central midfielder limiting Derehams play in the second half meaning Nick Lampkin stepped into control the middle aided by Mike Hinton and Mike Smith on the wings.
Although with little openings Dereham got back to one goal when a forward broke from the halfway line beating Lampkin And Johnson for pace before smashing home a reverse stick shot from the top of the circle.
Dereham came at Havering strong but were kept at bay by solid defending from Lewis Smith and Steve Ashlin but it was their defensive partner Alastair Lewis who swung the game back in Havering's favour firing into the corner from a well worked short corner.
With not long left Havering played to see out the game with Dan Rees and Dunn holding the ball well up front, the pair won a short corner at the death and after Phillips initial shot was saved he made no mistake with the rebound and smashed home to give all the points to Havering.
Havering now lie in fifth place but face top of the table Harlston at campion saturday who need a point to take the title.
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Mens 1st (4) vs Harpenden (1) on 23 - feb - 08
After the previous weeks good results Havering hosted bottom of the table Harpenden at Campion.
Havering were without Joe Wright who was still injured from last weeks game so Steve Ashlin was bought back into the first team after spending the season playing up front for the second team. Knowing that that this was a must win game for the travelling team Havering were expecting a tough game but like so many times before failed to raise their game to the standards they produce when playing the top half of the table.
Havering started the game moving the ball well from defence and around the midfield but it did not take long before the cracks started to appear, a clearly motivated Harpenden team started to take control of the game picking up possession from numerous Havering mistakes.
After some early short corners Harpenden took the lead, the ball was transferred from left to right and played into the circle, an unmarked runner from midfield stormed in and produced a solid strike into the goal. It nearly got worse for Havering when a Harpenden player rounded keeper Marc LLoyd and shot towards goal from close range, it looked certain to be the second goal but Harpenden were denied thanks to a impressive goaline clearance from Lewis Smith.
After this let off Havering started to cause Harpenden some problems of their own and were awarded their first short corner of the match, the away keeper logged and Dan Rees strike hit the goalkeepers chest pad and deflected into the roof of the net but Havering's celebrations were cut short as the umpire ruled the goal out for the initial strike being to high!!!!!!!
Havering continued to press and were awarded another short corner after a surging run up the pitch from Alastair Lewis resulted in Leroy Phillips being fouled, Phillips fed Paul Johnson who deflected into the net for his first goal of the season. Two Harpenden players were yellow carded for different offences and minutes before half time Havering took advantage and took the lead for the first time, after another short corner the Harpenden keeper made the initial save but as the ball rebounded to Lewis Smith his shot was stopped on the line by a defenders foot. Leroy Phillips stepped up and converted the penalty.
Havering were a bit brighter in the second half but in the early stages there was little incident until Johnson was Yellow carded for breaking down an attack, during this period Harpenden produced five short corners in quick succession but were thwarted thanks to some good defending from Nick Lampkin, Ali Lewis and Lewis Smith with Marc Lloyd saving all that got through. Moments before Johnson was to return to the pitch Mike Smith was also yellow carded for a stick tackle meaning even with his return to the game Havering were still down to ten.
Harpenden came close to equalizing when the ball struck the post twice in the space of seconds but was cleared to safety after some frantic defending.
Havering were soon back to full strength and finished the game when Leroy Phillips twisted and turned his way through the Harpenden defence and shot towards goal ,as the ball creped towards goal Chris Dunn helped it on its way to the relief of the Home side.
With a large crowd of people watching at Campion Havering were cheered on and added a fourth from another short corner with Paul Johnson grabbing his second of the afternoon with an identical move to his earlier goal.
Harpenden will rightly feel they should and could have had something out of the game and were unlucky to not go away with something to show for their efforts.
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Mens 1st (1) vs Cambridge City (1) on 16 - feb - 08
Havering continued their good run of form in the new year with a 1-1 draw against second in the table Cambridge City, another fantastic result for the side but it could have been all three points on another day.
In comparison to last week Havering once again started brightly and could have took the lead early in the game when Joe Wright and Chris Dunn went through two on one with the last defender, Dunn's clever turn and pass found Wright in space just outside the circle but his poor touch let him down.
Havering also created some early short corners but made the breakthrough when Dunn calmly pulled the ball back from the keeper after an initial save and pushed into the bottom corner of the goal to give Havering a deserved lead. During this action Joe Wright twisted his ankle and was forced to go off leaving Havering with a bare eleven as they were missing Mike Smith from the previous week.
Cambridge began to force their way back into the game playing some good possession hockey, forcing a save out of Marc Lloyd and having a reverse stick effort go wide of the post, although Havering were looking dangerous on the attack with Nick Lampkin bossing the play in the middle and Adam Lumbers having another solid game after his Man of the match performance the week before.
Havering then nearly took the game away from Cambridge when from close range Leroy Phillips effort came back off the crossbar and away to safety.
The second half was quiet in comparison to the first, Cambridge had most of the possession while Havering had to dig deep as the eleven players began to tire. Cambridge forced a short corner and a week effort beat the Havering defence going in off the post. The game was fairly even for the remainder of the match with neither side breaching the others hard working defence although both sides had some half chances. Another Cambridge short corner found the post, this time the ball fell to Lewis Smith who did well to clear.
Marc Lloyd was called upon to make another good save at the end, Havering will be happy with another good point won after a good first half display and will wonder what could have been if they had fresh legs in the second half.
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Mens 1st (3) vs St Albans (2) on 09 - feb - 08
After last weeks defeat at home to Ipswich some people might have thought things could only get worse for Havering as they travelled to second placed St Albans who had won convincingly away at Cambridge City in their previous game.
Havering clearly disappointed with last weeks defeat started the game brightly and took the game to St Albans early on creating three short corners in the opening ten minutes although good defending from the home teams defence kept Havering at bay.
Havering continued to push but St Albans started to find their feet and looked dangerous down the right with quick breaking attacks, it didn't take long before one resulted in the first goal of the game when a cross was slapped home at the far post.
In stark contrast to last week Havering heads did not drop and within minutes another Havering attack led to another short corner, a well worked routine found Chris Dunn on the post and the forward deflected home from an awkward angle.
It nearly got better for Havering moments later when Dan Rees powered through the St Albans defence, Rees almost had too much time and flicked wide of the goal.
St Albans from came straight back at Havering and played the ball around well from side to side but in most parts were thwarted by Keeper Marc Lloyd and some determined Havering defending, although St Albans pressure was rewarded when from a short corner a neat routine was deflected home from the left of the penalty spot.
Minutes before half time Havering equalised when Leroy Phillips took a free hit from outside the circle, Havering's players all made runs off the ball and left a path for Phillips to hit Dunn on the far post, Dunn once again deflected past the keeper to put his side level at half time.
It was a day were Havering were inspired and all at half time looked as if they had it in them to get a result, as expected St Albans came out hard pushing Havering back deeper and deeper into their own half. This worked out well for Havering as St Albans left a lot of space in behind them and with Joe Wright and the rest of the Havering forwards on form they were getting closer and closer to making a breakthrough supported by a tireless Havering midfield who although at times were by-passed never stopped working to break down St Albans play.
Havering took the lead mid way into the second half when from a St Albans short corner Paul Johnson blocked the first shot but as it rolled to an attacking player who looked certain to score, Joe Wright made a last ditch tackle and played the ball up field ,Havering moved forward and won a short corner of their own.
Wright stepped up and when his drag flick was stopped on the line by a defenders body a penalty flick was awarded. Leroy Phillips stepped up and scored his first goal since returning to the side.
It got even better for Havering when from their next attack a St Albans defender tried to run the ball out of the circle, Wright tackled him and drove towards goal along the back line, Dunn waited on the penalty spot for the cross and fortunately so did the keeper as Wright calmly flicked into the near post to give Havering a two goal cushion.
With ten minutes to go the Havering defence and Keeper Marc Lloyd battled to keep the home team out and although St Albans pulled one goal back it was not enough as the final whistle blew to the delight of the Havering team.
In the teams three years in Premier A Havering have pulled out some results against top teams in the division but none more deserved than this one, with one umpire commenting ,it was the most gutsy performance he had ever seen in the league.
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Mens 1st (2) vs Bedford (0) on 26 - jan - 08
Havering travelled to Bedford in hope of picking up their fourth away win after previously beating Bishop Stortford, Harpenden and Cambridge City. Although Havering's squad was reduced to twelve players the morning of the game with the withdrawal of the injured Tim Cranston and with Chris Dunn already out Havering were given a boost with the return of last seasons top scorer who had been out with a back injury the first half of the season.
Bedford started the game brightly and took early control creating the first short corner of the match, a fine stick save to the right from Marc Lloyd kept the game scoreless, Havering's first real attack created a short corner of their own but was snuffed out by the Bedford defence. Havering worked their way back into the match and had the better of the possession for the next twenty minutes, Nick Lampkin and Phillips linking up well with Adam Lumbers and James Barnes looking dangerous on the right. It wasn't long before Havering got their break through, Joe Wright surged through the Midfield and found Mike Hinton at the top of the circle, Hinton found room and shot towards goal but the keeper could only parry to the waiting Barnes who slipped the ball back across goal into the far corner for his first goal in the first team.
Havering began to tire at the end of the half and Bedford pushed up in numbers and were unlucky not to equalise after a few half chances went just past the far post. Alastair Lewis, Lewis Smith and Mike smith defended well for the remainder of the half preserving Havering's narrow lead until half time.
Bedford once again came out strong in the second half forcing a few short corners, Havering set out to frustrate Bedford and did so with Nick Lampkin picking out the tireless Dan Rees up front with space to run into. Although Havering did survive a scare when a Bedford short corner routine found the back of the net, the ball was adjudged to not have been bought outside the circle so the goal was disallowed.
Havering broke away in typical fashion and forced a short corner of their own, Joe Wright stepped up and drag flicked the ball past the home keeper to put the game firmly in Havering's grasp. Lloyd had another fine save to make from a short corner but more gutsy defending from Havering kept their clean sheet and got the team another three points on the road.
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Mens 1st (3) vs Bishop Stortford (2) on 19 - jan - 08
The first game after the christmas break saw Havering host Bishop Stortford in what was a must win game for both sides. Havering held a four point gap over Stortford before play and had to at least maintain that to keep Premier A staus in their own hands.
Havering started the game well and took the game to Stortford early and with only minutes gone Joe Wright surged into the circle and smashed home a reverse stick shot under the keeper. This early goal had a negative effect on Havering who instead of taking the game to the away side the team became complacent and allowed Stortford back into the game. With the away team creating most of the play several short corners came their way but a few mixed up routines and good defending from Lewis Smith and Alastair Lewis after crucial saves from keeper Marc Lloyd kept Stortford at bay.
Although Haverings luck run out when from another short corner Stortford equalised after Lloyd made the initial save an attacker was there to bundle the ball over the line. Havering created the next chance to go in front, Dan Rees set Johnson free down the left who's run and pass into the circle found Mike Hinton whose deflected effort went narrowly wide. Stortford remained in control for the remainder of the half but Havering once again defended another short corner but this time broke out and Paul Johnson set Alastair Lewis free who went on to win a short corner at the other end. A slick routine from Havering resulted in Dan Rees picking up his fourth goal in five games after a pin point strike into the bottom corner.
The game started to open up in the second half as both teams pushed for the next goal, Stortford once again created a number of short corners but a good save low to his right from Lloyd and three blocks at the top of the circle from number one runner Johnson kept Haverings narrow lead in tact. Havering were then thankfull to Lloyds left post as a deflected effort from a Stortford attacker smacked off the inside and away to safety. Havering started to create at the other end and a good run into the circle from wright won a short corner for Havering. This time it was Alastair Lewis who found the net with a snap shot which took the away keeper by suprise. Havering then nearly made it four when Hinton once again found space in the circle, his reverse stick shot beat the keeper but went narrowly wide of the post. Bishop Stortford were awarded a late Penalty Flick which was converted to the right of Lloyd but as the game restarted the full time whistle was blown to the delight of the Havering team.
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Mens 1st (1) vs Blueharts 1st (1) on 08 - dec - 07
Havering hosted Third placed Blueharts at Campion in their last home game before the Christmas break, games between the two sides has always been close with three of the last four games ending in draws. Although it was always going to be tough for Havering missing Mike Hinton, Chris Dunn and Adam Lumbers.
As a result of this youngster Marcus Hall made his first team debut at the age of just sixteen and took full advantage of his chance having a solid first game subbing on in midfield and up front.
The game started evenly with both sides having a share of the possession but mistakes were a plenty as the weather conditions made it hard for both sides to get going.
Blueharts had the first chances of the game with two short corners in quick succession the first forcing a good save out of Marc Lloyd and the second being blocked by Lewis Smith.
Havering started to make chances for themselves at the other end as Blueharts struggled to get into their usual slick passing game with Alastair Lewis and Paul Johnson doing good jobs marking Blueharts dangerous central midfielders.
The first chance fell to Lewis when after good work from Dan Rees and Joe Wright the ball fell to him at the top of the circle although a bad contact made it easy for the away defence to clear. Joe Wright and James Barnes then went close with efforts that really should have tested the keeper unfortunately for Havering the ball flew over the bar instead of into the net, two short corners also went begging for Havering.
After the break Blueharts started to put more pressure on the Havering defence but they managed to hold strong throughout allowing Blueharts one shot in open play, although it was one the away team made count when a strong attack down the right side allowed a midfielder to fire a hard cross into the circle where a Harts player was waiting to deflect the ball home.
This was a big blow to Havering but minutes later a misplaced pass from a Blueharts long corner fell straight to Dan Rees on the halfway line, Rees passed the ball past the centre back and ran the other side only to find the keeper waiting at the top of his Circle, Rees kept his run going and took the ball to his right and past the keeper as the defence franticly ran back Rees hit a fierce shot into the bottom left of the goal much to the delight of the Havering team whose efforts deserved the point at least.
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Mens 1st (1) vs Wapping 1st (0) on 24 - nov - 07
Havering played local rivals Wapping in their fourth home game of the season hoping to pick up their first points at Campion this season, it was never going to be easy with Alastair Lewis suspended and Michael Hinton unable to play.
It was decided that Havering would switch back to their old formation to cope with the absence of the two players leaving three at the back with Nick Lampkin in front and Captain Paul Johnson moving into midfield with Joe Wright.
In the early stages of the match Havering kept the ball well moving the ball around the back and into midfield with the front two of Dan Rees and Chris Dunn getting early possession.
Havering took the lead after about eight minutes after a mistake from the Wapping Left back led to a free hit outside the circle. Joe Wright's clever pass into the circle found Dan Rees on the penalty spot who deflected the ball into the back of the net through the keepers legs.
After the goal Wapping started to impose themselves on the game and started to gain more possession around the Havering circle creating four short corners, the defensive four of Lampkin, Lewis Smith, Johnson and Wright blocked out three of the four efforts and cleared back up the pitch.One effort did get through that produced a wonder save from keeper Marc Lloyd saving the drag flick to the right with stick.
The remainder of the half was evenly spread with Joe Wrights drag flick going agonizingly wide from a short corner , while at the other end Wapping corners were snuffed out by the home defence to put Havering into a 1-0 lead at haf time.
After the break, probably because of Havering’s nerves they naturally dropped deeper to defend their lead allowing Wapping possession and bringing the away team further up the pitch, although this tactic worked for Havering as Adam Lumbers, Richard Cast and Lewis Smith defended well not allowing Wapping to get a chance on goal or a short corner in the second half giving Havering numerous chances on the break.
Joe Wright and Nick Lampkin both had reverse stick shots that tested the keeper, as well as Mike Smith effort trying to beat the keeper at his near post from the left and Tim Cranston cross aimed for Dunn at the back post that the keeper cut out.Possibly the best chance of the half fell to Chris Dunn who was found with his back to goal with the keeper behind him, Dunn turned but moved the ball to far to his right , Lumbers was there but a moments hesitation from the two players allowed the Wapping keeper to clear.
In the closing stages of the game Wapping had the majority of the game but tireless running from Johnson, James Barnes, Wright, M. Smith and Lampkin kept Wapping out of the danger areas until a half chance from the Wapping forward near the end.
James Barnes and a Wapping player were sent of near the end which in the spirit the game was played was a little harsh on both , although both umpires allowed the game to flow and were involved as little as
possible, stark contrast from the week before.
Havering produced a hard working disciplined display and deserved their first home win of the season.
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Mens 1st (0) vs Harlston Magpies (3) on 17 - nov - 07
Havering travelled to Harlston to face top of the league Harlston Magpies who after last weeks win over St Albans were now surely favourite's to win the league this season.
It was no secret that Havering would turn up to this game to try and stop Harlston playing to disrupt their flow and movement we knew it and so did Harlston.
The game started at a quick pace with Harlston moving the ball well around the field and having the majority of early possesion although hardly made it into the Havering twenty five with Havering causing Harlston some scares with an early short corner.
Havering defended well and only gave away one short corner in the first twnty minutes thanks to good work from the defence, unfortunately all of Haverings hard work was un-done by the umpire who gave a bizarre decision awarding Harlston a short corner which was excelently converted. Once again this umpires poor decisions led to two more short corners which were both converted.
I personally turn up to every game with a fresh view of my opponents and also the umpires as i respect the jobs they do,often or little thanks but its disapointing when an umpire judges a team on previous performances and punishes them in the next game for it. I hope myself and my team do not suffer this again. Angels we are not, and the best team in the league we are not but at least deserve a chance to play.
The second half was without goals, Harlston once again having the lion's share of possesion but resilient Havering defending kept the score to 3-0, i have not mentioned a single name in this report because no one deserves a mention over anyone else, great battling performance boys, keep it going for next week.
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Mens 1st (4) vs Harpenden (1) on 03 - nov - 07
Havering travelled to Harpenden for their second away game in a row and once again come away with three points after a 4-1 victory. After last weeks hard thought victory over Cambridge, Havering had the best possible start to the game when Alastair Lewis surged through the middle to win the first short corner of the game, Joe Wright stepped up and his drag flick went to the right of the keeper. Havering continued to have the better of the early stages winning more short corners all of which were saved by the home keeper.
Harpenden then started to pick up their game and gradually started to get more possession, Richard Cast was then adjudged to have fouled outside the circle, when he questioned the decision a short corner was given which the home side converted. This setback had an effect on Havering whose early good start was fading and the game became scrappy with Harpenden starting to create chances and Havering could have been in trouble if the final ball was better.
Luckily before the break Havering took the lead when Joe Wright scored his second of the game when a firm strike from the top of the circle gave the keeper little chance.
After the break Harpenden came out strong and created early chances with Marc Lloyd coming to Havering's rescue with some top saves, although it didn't last long for Harpenden as Mike Hinton broke through the middle and slipped the ball out wide to James Barnes who raced down the right wing he calmly slipped the ball back to the waiting Chris Dunn who slapped the ball home.
Havering put the game out of reach minutes later when from a short corner Dunn grabbed his second of the game when he deflected the ball into the net.
In the later stages Harpenden lost their cool when a player received a Red Card and two other players including the keeper were yellow carded for dissent. It was a frustrating period for Havering as they fouled to break down the eight outfield players as sloppy play let Harpenden off, when Havering should have been improving their goal difference, although credit to the home side must be given as their work rate and attitude in this period was exceptional.
Nick Lampkin controlled the midfield and is coming into his own in his new role while Lewis Smith shone at the back and was responsible for snuffing out most of the attacks from the home side.
Havering have now put themselves in a position to make something out of this season and are sure to face a tough test from an obviously improved Dereham side at Campion next week.
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Mens 1st (1) vs St Albans (3) on 20 - oct - 07
On saturday Havering hosted table topping St Albans, after the last two weeks poor results the Havering team were summonded to meet in the club house hours before the game to sort out the issues the team has been having.
After a good forty five minutes the team emerged with a new determination and also tactically adopting a new formation, most notably captain Paul Johnson was moved to the middle at the back with Alastair Lewis and Nick Lamkin taking up their positions in the middle of the park with James Barnes moving up from the seconds also into midfield. On the whole the new strategy worked, Johnson having a much improved game working well with Richard Cast allowing both Lewis Smith and Adam Lumbers to have more space to distribute the ball, the midfield was much more solid with Lampkin in particular impressing as well as the shear work rate of Rees and Wright up front. With Hinton and Dunn to come back next week the new formation along with the impressive work rate and attitude of the side it should not be long before the boys from Hornchurch start making progress in the league.
The game started openly with St Albans having the best of the early chances with Marc Lloyd making two impressive saves, although the away team opened the scoring with their first short corner of the game, a flick to the right of Lloyd. Their second short corner bought a flick when another short corner was stopped by the body of Alastair Lewis although it was outside the post, the umpire deemed it was going on target and the flick was awarded, justice was done when Lloyd saved low to his left.
Havering worked their way into the game and managed to keep their fair share of possesion limiting St Albans chances up untill the half time whistle. After the break Havering had the best possible start, Joe Wright made a fine tackle from a St Albans midfielder and found himself one on one with the last defender, Wright turned the defender with ease but the defender made a rash challange resulting in a penalty flick, Wright stepped up and flicked the ball into the roof of the net.
With a result possible for Havering they then procceded to make a bad defensive error gifting St Albans a short corner, with a well worked routine they hit back straight away, Lewis Smith was unlucky having made a valiant effort on the line. The half stayed quiet even with St Albans working the ball well around the back although never troubling Havering in open play it was once again silly mistakes giving St Albans short corners, another good routine was stopped by the body of Smith on the line this time a definate flick, this time LLoyd dived high to his right pushing the ball away.
Another late short corner sealed Haverings fate, although another loss there was many positives to take from the game for Havering, hopefully this will be built upon next week.
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Mens 1st (1) vs Ipswich (6) on 13 - oct - 07
Havering Travelled to Ipswich for their third game of the season and returned home empty handed after a 6-1 reverse.
Late call ups were given to Tim Cranston and John Wigham after Michael Smith and Dan Tanner had to withdraw late in the week.
Havering started the game brightly and seemed to have the edge with the midfield and forwards having the better of the early stages. This resulted in the first short corner of the game for Havering which Joe Wright smashed home from the top of the circle.
Havering then went on to create three golden oppertunities to really put Ipswich on the back foot, the first coming from good link up play between Michael Hinton and Chris Dunn, Hinton recieved the ball in The circle beating the first defender and then slipping the ball to the far post where Dan Rees was waitng, Rees connected well enough with the ball but the Ipswich keeper made a fine save down to his right.
Havering again pushed with Nick Lampkin recieving the ball in the circle with the goal to aim at but once again the keeper saved, then moments later a wayward pass was intercepted and Rees was through one on one with the home keeper, Rees calmly pushed the ball past the keeper but was denied by a young Ipswich defender who made a superb diving clearance just before the ball crossed the line.
Ipswich began to impose themselves on the game and created a series of short corners, the third being dispatched into the roof of the net by kia Dixon, National leagues 2 South leading scorer last term. It went wrong for Havering from this point with two shocking errors from the Havering Defence and Midfield leaving Marc Lloyd exposed at the back the score was 3-1 within the space of five minutes.
After the restart Havering had the worst possible start with another defensive error leaving an Ipswich forward unmarked on the top of the circle to ram home the fourth.
Ipswich went on to score from two late corners to leave Havering wondering what might have been if early chances had been taken, another lesson learnt for this young side.
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Mens 1st (1) vs Bedford (3) on 06 - oct - 07
After opening the season with a win Havering faced Bedford in their first home game of the season, the game started evenly with the sides sharing the possession but no real early chances were created.
Bedford opened the scoring with their first short corner of the game, a strike from the top beat the Havering defence.
Havering battled back and were awarded a hit outside the circle, good movement from Lewis Smith created some space and Alastair Lewis’s pin point pass found Chris Dunn unmarked who calmly deflected the ball into the net.
Havering continued to attack after the goal and had two great chances to go ahead, both times Havering found themselves 2 on 1 with the last defender but both times the final pass was wayward and allowed Bedford to get men back behind the ball.
The score remained the same until half time, both teams returned to the field and the game restarted in the same fashion as the first half with both teams sharing possession, early in the half Bedford were awarded a hit outside the circle, an unmarked player was found in the circle and hit towards goal, the shot was weak but to the amazement of both teams the ball beat keeper Marc Lloyd at his near post as his vision had been blocked by a defender.
Havering had been in this position before but for the first time there was no response and no fight from Havering, Bedford were in complete control of the game as Havering made error after error.
Bedford wrapped the game up with another short corner strike this time a drag flick from the top. This was probably Haverings worst performance since promotion to Premier A three seasons ago and there will have to be a quick turn around next week against a strong Ipswich side.
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Mens 1st (1) vs Bishop Stortford (0) on 29 - sept - 07
Havering opened their third season in Premier A with an away game against newly promoted Bishop Stortford.
Haverings preparations to took a big dent in the build up to the season losing South African Leroy Phillips to injury and two other key players leaving the club. It was also a much changed side for Havering who had Nick Lampkin, Michael Smith and Adam Lumbers in the starting eleven. Nick Lampkin a recruit of the University of East London, Michael Smith from Malta and Lumbers bought up from the second team.
Stortford started the game brightly having the better of the early play and created some early chances which Havering were lucky to get away with, as the game went on Havering fought back and were awarded their only short of the game which bought a save out of the home keeper.
Havering took the lead just before half time, after good work from Michael Hinton, Hinton slipped the ball to the left of the circle were Chris Dunn was waiting the forward used a revese stick shot which found its way through the crowd into back of the net.
After the restart Stortford pilled more pressure on Havering having no less than 12 short corners, all of which were defended well by the Havering defence especially by keeper Marc Lloyd who was on excellent form.
Havering had to battle hard in the closing stages but could have extended the score after Joe Wright fired over from the penalty spot.
Not a great performance from Havering but a fine win and three points in their opening game for the first time in five seaons. |
