The East Area fixtures secretary must have decided that Saturday would be a good day for long distance travel as 5 Old Loughtonians teams played Southend teams.

Top of the bill was the Men’s premier league game between Old Loughts 2s and Old Southendian 1s led in attack by former GB Olympian Jonty Clarke. Loughts in turn were boosted by the return from long term injury of 2 former M1s captains Harry Kempe and Ian Swallow.

Loughts started strongly with Andy MacGregor slotting in the opener after a deft pass from Elliott Smith. Giles Davies equalised for Old Southendian within minutes. Loughts continued to press and were awarded a string of penalty corners. MacGregor scored again from the 4th after 25 minutes to put Loughts back in front.

Southendian pressed strongly in the second half but an experienced Loughts team with over 700 first team caps between them showed their class albeit not necessarily their fitness in repelling the attacks. Fraser Forbes added youth and speed up front as Loughts sought a third and man of the match Alex Langdon kept out a series of Southendian short corners as Loughts secured the win. Next week Loughts travel to University of East Anglia hoping for another 3 points.

The M1s played Old Cranleighan in division 1 South of the National League facing a further match against Brighton on Sunday. Loughts had the worst possible start when they gave away possession within 30 seconds allowing Cranleighan to tap the ball in.

Loughts mounted attack after attack to reduce the deficit but could not score. Cranleighan sat back and absorbed the pressure and countered well and shortly before half time were awarded a short corner and scored from a very well rehearsed routine.

Loughts continued to press in the third quarter and Tom Watson came close to scoring after charging down an aerial. Max Sydenham finally found the net after some good work from Sam Lowe on the left. Loughts could have been level minutes later as an excellent Watson run put Conor Caplan clear but his shot blazed over the bar.

Cranleighan not only hung on but were awarded another short corner on the break from which they scored with a minute to play to secure the three points.

The M3s were away against Harpenden 1s and were unlucky to lose 2-1. The M4s were away against Saffron Walden 3s and lost 3-1. The M5s Willows played Southend 2s. Joshua King-Segal, Mark Berry and Phil Beauman scored as they won 3-0. Old Southendian 4s won 2-1 against Loughts 6s Willows Woodsmen. M7s Willows Rangers won 6-2 against Upminster 5s.
Old Loughtonians Women’s 1s travelled to Earlsfield to face high flying Spencer in their return to action following the half term break. A lively and competitive first quarter saw both teams passing and pressing the ball at high speed; with penalty corners awarded to both but solid defending ensuring that the game remained scoreless. The second quarter was much the same story with some high quality hockey on display but the resolute defences of Loughts and Spencer on top throughout.
After the half time interval Maddy Newlyn had a superb solo run for Loughts ending with a 1 on 1 opportunity with the Spencer goal keeper. However her excellent shot on goal flashed narrowly wide. For the remainder of the third quarter Loughts found themselves under sustained pressure from the Spencer attack. With outstanding defending required from Georgia Davies and player of the match Chantelle Fernandes to keep them at bay. An important intervention from Chloe Joarder managed to prevent a 1 on 1 with the Loughts keeper and as the period came to a close Captain Tash Patient made a vital save on the goal line to keep the game all square.
In the final quarter, Loughts upped their game pressing Spencer strongly with efforts from Adele Sammons and Maddy Newlyn almost breaking the deadlock. The best opportunity for Loughts came from a perfectly weighted reverse ball from Ella Dowling across the Spencer D finding Lucy Price who almost forced the ball home. As the game concluded Loughts had to settle for a valuable away point leaving them unbeaten on their travels this season. Old Loughts face a tough test at home to league leaders Guildford next Saturday where they will try to upset their perfect start to the Conference East campaign.
The W2s also had first team opposition. Kim Grave scored after 25 minutes to give Loughts the lead against Sudbury 1s. Sudbury equalised but Loughts midfield and defence dug deep and the match finished 1-1.

If matches could be decided on chances and short corners then Loughts W3s might well be a lot higher in the league. Despite dominating possession against Basildon 2s and numerous short corner awards Loughts could not find the net. Basildon could and won 3-0.
The W4s also lost 3-0 after the long trek to play Old Southendian 2s. The W5s continued their good form with a 4-2 win against Havering 3s. Poppy Dias scored a hat-trick and Esha Narwal added the fourth.
After a disappointing loss on Saturday Loughts M1s got back to winning ways against Brighton .
Loughts created a lot of goal opportunities throughout the game and a number went agonisingly past the post. Loughts will need to convert more of these against the top teams in this League. Brighton's main threat came on the counter from their key man Joe Naughalty.
Tom Watson set Loughts on their way with a fine goal on the 19th minute. Fine interplay between James Thomas and Mark Loughrey and an exquisite turn and goal from the in-form Max Sydenham in the 34th minute extended the lead.
Loughts came out strongly in the third quarter but missed 2 good chances to close off the game. James Thomas, who played with skill and conviction throughout the game did not miss the third chance. The final goal arrived in that quarter and was converted with aplomb by Jack Moffatt after an Alex Robey and Max Sydenham combination.
A fine win in the end. Captain Conor Caplan and James Thomas both gave man of the match performances. Luca Gormley also caught the eye by the way he found space and passed effectively.

The girls under 18s won 3-1 against Sunbury and Walton but the girls under 14s lost 3-1 to Bishops Stortford. The boys u16s lost 3-0 to Bishops Stortford and the boys under 14s lost 6-3 away to Ipswich in the Tier 1 cup.