Following a tremendously impressive 4-0 demolition of early league leaders Havering last week (as told in the report also released just now), the Loughts Men’s 4s were back in action against another early high flyer in Waltham Forest 2s.

We came out on top in a close match against Forest 3s early doors this season, so we knew this
would be no easy task at all away to a side that had come down from the league above this season.
Looking to ride the wave of confidence from last week, Captain Rob wanted the team to switch on
from the first whistle once again, and really bring the game to our opposition today.

As the match began, we started strong and got into some decent positions, without troubling the
home keeper too much. With only a bare 11 to start the match, Forest were very much on damage
control until some re-enforcements were to arrive. However, we could not make any decisive
inroads in their defence.

They were solid in thwarting our attacks, and their keeper did well when he was called into action.
Our own goalie, Harrison continued his fine form from last week, and was supremely commanding
throughout the match, making a couple of crucial saves, and dominating his area as he did last week.
As a result, another very well-deserved clean sheet was to follow today.

In contrast to my usual reporting, I am going to speed through to full-time as the rest of the match
took much the same shape throughout, with both sides not really hitting top gear, and eventually
the game petered out to a 0-0 draw. On balance we probably edged the contest, and maybe should
have snatched a win (with a lob shot by Dan not taken on warmly by the umpire as it neared/crossed
the goal line). However, a point away to a tough side is nothing to be sniffed at one bit.

MoM this week has been gratefully provided by Mike alone, and goes to Tom for his endless running
and solid play on the ball. Oh, and for casually shrugging off a rather painful blow to the face.
Regardless, this now sees Tom jump ahead in the team’s season MoM victory standings – top work
Tom! Though he has provided the aforementioned award this week, DoD must go (unofficially
agreed) to Mike for once again adding to the wrong column on the score sheet, increasing his green
card count for the season, and then proceeding to act completely innocent of any wrong doing – it’s
a disgrace Your Honour! Special mention this week must go to Harrison who made it back-to-back
clean sheets for the season with another immense performance in goal for the team today, and now
moves second in the club’s golden glove standings for the season. There is just something about
playing Forest that seems to bring out even more than his usual brilliance.

Matchweek 8 see the Loughts Men’s 4s put in another gritty performance to earn a hard-fought
point away to Forest 2s, and we can now look forward to a local derby against Redbridge & Ilford 1s
next Saturday, under the lights, and back down the Lane. 16:00 is pushback time. Be sure not too
miss a match that is sure to provide fireworks for a second week running! Very well done all.

Signing off,
Ryan

Men’s 4s Season Stats:
Position: 3 rd
Points: 14/21
Goals scored: 13
Goals conceded: 7
Clean sheets: 2
Penalty Corner Conversions Rate (roughly): 3/30 (10%)
Goalscorers: Dan 3, Richard and Sam 2, Connor, Rohan, Ryan, Mike, Jordan, Leo
Assists (incomplete): Richard, Connor, Jordan, Zak, Ryan, Leo
MoM: Tom 2, Sam, Richard, Sam K, Harrison
DoD: Chris 2, Richard, Ryan, Will, Rob, Mike