After Loughts left it late last week to clinch victory at home to Clifton Robinsons last week, they were back on the road again this week against league leaders Richmond.

An opposition, and venue, that Loughts have had limited success against in recent years. This week however, they were determined to turn this around and get their first away win of the season.

Loughts started the game well, with Richmond looking to play long from defence and the Loughts press holding firm. Half chances fell to both teams in the first quarter but the scoreline remained 0-0.

In the second half, Loughts were down to 10 men for 6 minutes and 9 men for another 4 minutes. Richmond continued to bang on the door but Loughts held firm with some of the most determined and gritty defending we will see all season. Despite the sustained pressure Loughts were largely able to keep the ball out their own D and were able to win a penalty corner of their own after some nice build up play. A strong flick from Harvey Edward’s forced the keeper into a save but the ball fell straight to Freddy Cooke who slotted home the rebound with the utmost composure to open his account for the season and break the deadlock.

Just 4 minutes later, James Lewis found Archie Winter with a great overhead and he was able to thread the needle with a pin point pass to find Richard Hartley-Shah in front of the keeper who deflected home. 2-0 to the good lads and that was half time.

Everyone knew the next goal was crucial. Another one for Loughts and the result seemed all but done, however, if Richmond were to pull one back it was to be a nervy end. It took another 20 minutes for that goal to arrive and it was, of course, the boys from Luxborough lane to score it. Richard Hartley-Shah returned the favour with an awfully cheeky behind the back pass to Archie Winter who gave the keeper the eyes and slammed one in at the near post. That’s four for Winter already this season - that’s a boy in form.

If that hadn’t secured the win for the boys in purple then the next 4 minutes certainly did. A diving pass from Loughrey through the lines found Harvey Edward’s who then found Ali Shan and, as he does in training week in week out, he slammed home a rocket of a backhand. Just a minute later and the boys had another chance, this time from a corner. A carbon copy of the goal that opened the account for Loughts, but this time from a Loughrey flick and the ball fell, yet again, to Freddy Cooke. And yet again, the Pie and Mash man finished his dinner.

5 goals, their fourth clean sheet of the season curtsey of some superb defending, top of the league knocked off their perch and a first away win for the Chigwell boys. A phenomenal day at the office. Up next are the new league leaders, in Teddington. Luxborough Lane at 1pm, Sunday 15th November - see you there.