Following on from a historic victory against Witham 2s last week at home, on the freshly-laid turf, the Loughts Men’s 4s were in action on another high-quality pitch, as they set off to take on fellow promotion victors, Waltham Forest 3s, at the Lee Valley Stadium.

Still unbeaten from the start of last season, our toughest tests in that time, arguably, have been against the team we were to face on this rather windy Saturday evening.

Looking to build on an important victory last time out, Captain Rob was sure to remind the team of the tough test that was to lie in wait for us today.

However, despite our pre-match team talk, the match started rather differently to how we had hoped. Within the first few minutes we soon found ourselves 1-0 down as Forest cut through us like a knife through butter. Although, before things took a turn for the worse, we managed to draw level soon after, as Dan returned to the side to fire home after a swift move after gaining possession high up the pitch.

Having drawn level almost instantaneously, there was no time to build upon our goal before we found ourselves behind again within a few minutes. This time, a rather fortunate rebound off keeper Harrison’s left-hand post, gifted an open goal for a Forest forward to make it 2-1.

The rest of the first half saw a much more even match, but our play wasn’t quite clicking going forward. Dealing better with the pace of the Forest forward line, we did manage to create some dangerous openings, though failed to draw level once more before halftime.

The chatter at the break seemed to show a general agreement of our good play, and the match being there for the taking. With such a feeling, we looked to start quickly as the whistle blew once again.

Much to the joy of those who had travelled with the squad to watch today, we started the second half much better and brought the scores all-square within 10 minutes of the restart. This time, after yet more pressure applied on the home side, the ball was sent into the D to find Jordan being watched closely by a pair of Forest defenders, before the ball found its way onto that same post as before, and squirmed awkwardly past the stranded home keeper, and across the goal-line. Always happy to oblige (if ability allows), when a goalscoring opportunity presents itself, I tapped the ball in to make doubly sure that it was 2-2.

Now in the ascendancy, the team was playing with much more command and confidence was high as we continued to press on to find that all-important 3rd goal. And, as the hour mark came up in the match, we found just that. For what turned out to be the winning goal today, we displayed some awesome team play down the right, before the ball was drove with pace and power by Zak, who released the ball as he reached the baseline, placing it on a plate for Richard to arrive at the penalty spot at just the right time to slot home, and send the team into delirious cheers.

Not wanting to let a hard-earned lead slip through our fingers, we played the rest of the match with the same intensity that gave us the lead, and as 70 minutes came and went, we remained unbeaten for at least another 7 days.

Special mention this week must go to Mike who found himself in the wars with a nasty knock to the face, and was generally on his best behaviour all match today (much to the delight of both umpires). MoM this week went to Rich for his enduring hard work and talismanic performance that was capped off with a beautifully timed run and finish to secure the team an impressive win. DoD this week had to go to Chris for his excellent ‘pot-calling-the-kettle-black’ demonstration, when he fizzed a rather unforgiving ball out to Captain Rob at waist-height, only minutes after calling repeatedly for the team to keep the passes simple.

And so, another match, another victory for the Loughs Men’s 4s, as they march on past a tricky Forest 3s side, to now look forward to a possibly even sterner test against early league leaders, Bengals Tigers on the 18th. Very well done all.

Signing off,
Ryan

Men’s 4s Season Stats:
Position: 3rd
Points: 7/9
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 4
Clean sheets: 0
Penalty Corner Conversion Rate: 1/15 (6.67%)
Goalscorers: Richard 2, Connor, Rohan, Dan, Ryan
Assists: Richard, Connor, Jordan, Zak
MoM: Sam, Tom, Rich
DoD: Richard, Ryan, Chris