As the only M2’s team in a Premiership League of otherwise all first teams, every match is a challenge but Loughts started strongly against Bishops Stortford and were 1 - 0 up after only five minutes when a neat move culminated in a clean finish from Tomasz Morris.

Stortford were a physically strong group of men and came back strongly with some fierce running at the Loughts defence but Will Smith, Jacob Jayaraj and Scott Jones kept calm and cleared any danger. The couple of shots on goal were parried by Freddie Goddard in the Loughts goal.

Loughts doubled their lead ten minutes later when Matthew Lewis beat the keeper after a good run from Mark Antrobus and it felt as if Loughts were in control. Simple balls and good contributions from old hands Gabriel Inch, Harry Kempe and Ollie Davies gave Loughts the upper hand in midfield and Harry Moffat and James Donnelly were dangerous going forward and tackling back.

Shortly before half time Loughts won a short corner which Inch converted and Loughts went in 3-0 at half time.

The second half continued along the same lines but Loughts conceded from a well taken short corner which gave Stortford hope.

No further goals followed but Loughts earned a final short corner and Donnelly was about to shoot when the umpire blew for full time. The strange conclusion to the match did not matter and Loughts deservedly took the three points.

Next week Loughts have a trip to Bedford hoping to pick up some away points.