1st XI Report

Loughts won the League last week and this game was about completing it in style. Most of the team had celebrated hard after last week’s victory and also continued throughout the week. Perhaps not ideal preparations then for a match against our local rivals who were the only team to beat them this season and would dearly love to repeat the treatment!

Wapping also came with one or two absent due to Covid but it was clear that they would be very willing to spoil the Loughts' celebrations. The game started slowly with Loughts not showing their usual fluidity. However, the "come-back kid” Martyn Lear, was on hand to slam home a goal in the 14th minute to calm the boys down after a weaving run from Mark Loughrey ("Lockers").

At the break, Coach Lee Ible, proudly showing off his new lightweight miniature tripod, emphasised the need to press hard in the high zone, make the opposition play short, remain patient and win races. We also needed to be sure to keep our formation and trust each other with the ball.

Wapping scored the next goal after some poor marking in the penalty area. Loughts then scored the game of the match with Tom Watson putting the finishing touch on a sweeping movement that went from left to right. This roused the thin but knowledgeable crowd and the team.

Wapping responded to the Loughts’ onslaught and rallied hard but they were unable to break the solid Loughts’ defence and our goalkeeper Dan Brown made one or two astute saves.

In the last quarter Loughts finally found some rhythm and began to dominate their plucky opponents. They scored three goals: one from Harvey Edwards, (dare I say on his forehand) ; another from Ed Fleet following the award of a penalty stroke (he put it away with consummate ease); and the final goal came from Lockers after some superb build up play from George Lilley (he seemed to dribble a well placed push into the net) .

This was a good performance and the team should be proud of what is has achieved this season. Coach Lee Ible has masterminded the team’s progress and deserves a great deal of credit for his skill and dedication.

It has been tremendous that he has knitted the team together and even brought players back into the squad who thought they would never return whilst blending in some good young talent The cup was awarded and the medals presented and the Club Annual Dinner promises to be a grand occasion.