17. 27 November 2022

Old Loughtonians men’s 1s concluded the first half of the season in division 1 South of the England Hockey National League with a hard fought 3-2 win against Sevenoaks. In difficult conditions for both sides, Loughts conceded the first goal after just 6 minutes when Matt Morey scored for Sevenoaks from a short corner. Some excellent saves from Richard Potton in the Sevenoaks goal prevented Loughts equalising from a series of short corners. The breakthrough came on the cusp of half time with Harvey Edwards firing in from yet another short corner.

Sevenoaks scored 7 minutes into the second half from another penalty corner, James Beck the scorer. Loughts however kept up the pressure at the front and cancelled out the aerial tactics of Sevenoaks at the back. Mark Loughrey levelled the score on 55 minutes from another penalty corner. Loughts played some breathtaking attacking hockey as Sevenoaks tired and were rewarded with a penalty flick 3 minutes from time which Euan Gilmour scored. Minutes later Gilmour was clattered into the ground after a skilful run but only a penalty corner was awarded. A well deserved victory against a good Sevenoaks side leaves Loughts in contention for the second half of the season.

The men’s 2s had a long trip away to Old Southendian’s 1s and played very well to win 5-0 with goals from James Beardwell, Archie Crowley, Ollie Davies, Luka Gormley and Jack Moffat. A young men’s 3s played a St Alban’s 2s side replete with ex internationals and narrowly lost 2-3 but were generously praised by the St Alban’s veterans. The men’s 4s drew 4-4 with Upminster 3s. The men’s 5s Willows won 4-0 away at Ilford & Redbridge 2s (goals from Phil Beauman, Jack Hughes, Milan Myers and Nick Percy) and the men’s 6s Willows Woodsmen won 1-0 against Chelmsford 5s. Highflying men’s 7s Willows Rangers however lost 5-1 to local rivals Crostyx 4s in the top of the table clash with Sam Kendrick scoring for Loughts.

The women’s 1s were not in action but remain top of the East premier division. The women’s 2s were expecting a tough encounter against Old Southendians 1s but came away 4-0 winners. Agnes Briscoe scored twice and Laura Blatter and Siobhan Daley also found the net. The women’s 3s played really well despite missing a number of players through injury. The scoreline of 0-4 against top of the table Maldon 2s sadly did not reflect the play with a number of key umpiring decisions going against them. The women’s 4s excelled with a 6-4 win against league leaders Upminster 4s. Alison Harrold and Amy Kelly each scored 2 and Amy Wright and Lynn Wright added the rest. The women’s 5s won 3-0 against Havering 3s with Susy Harrison opening the scoring