As the curtain was raised on the 2026/27 season, a pleasant September's afternoon down the Lane saw plenty of Loughts teams in action, and with some emphatic performances already seen across the club, it was the turn of the Men's 3s to take centre stage on Pitch 1.

With a close pre-season run out already under their belts, the team were raring to make a fast start, and put a marker down to the rest of the league about this season's ambition of contesting for promotion once again. And as the team worked through the motions of the first pre-match warm up of the new campaign, it was soon time for pushback.

From the very first whistle, the team went hunting for the opener and pushed the away team back. The pattern of the first half would see the boys camp in the Malden half, crafting good openings by shifting the ball wide and high, and creating scoring opportunities inside the D. Though their defence did not leave many spaces for our gifted forwards to operate in, the deadlock was soon broken on 14 minutes through an exquisite top corner finish by returning star, Dan. 1-0. Our next goal came shortly before the half hour mark, and this time saw veteran forward, Mark, dispatch a bullet of a strike off the far post and in. 2-0. HT. Good start to the season.

The second half started with Malden asking a few more questions of the team's strength, but this was still no match for the youth at the back, nor keeper Barney, who stood imperiously resolute as always, and seeking his first clean sheet of the season. And, just before 50 minutes came up, we would deservedly extend our lead further. This time, as 3s stalwart, Max, stood poised and ready to receive an incoming short injection, there was only one thing on his mind. Then what happened next, just as hoped, caught the onrushing Malden defence and keeper by complete surprise, as they could only turn and watch, as the sheer ferocity of the flick sent the ball nestling straight into the top corner. 3-0, and very much with the accelerator still down.

With an emphatic victory effectively already wrapped up, the team played some great free-flowing hockey as more of the team attempted to get their name on the score sheet. However, on the 65th minute of the match, our fourth and final goal of the match went to sharpshooter Mark once again, though this time he flexed his poaching skills to finish off some excellent passing and driving by the team. 4-0. FT. Three points on the board.

MoM this week saw votes go to debutant defender Sam R., Max, and returning Loughts "big dog", Charlie. However, it was our very own pocket rocket and fellow debutant, Fred, who put in a midfield performance well beyond his years to clinch the first victory of the season. Hugely deserved! DoD this week saw all 3 card offenders receive votes (Sam R., Fred and Mark), as well as goalscorer Max and keeper Barney. However, with 6 votes shared equally, this first win of the season went to youngsters Fred and Sam R. What a debut lads! Special mention this week must obviously go to my goodself, who despite being forced to watch from the sidelines today, expertly managed the sub rotations and of course single-handledly masterminded the team's efforts to secure victory.

Well done team, and our attention now turns to the first away match of the season, with a trip to Chelmsford on the horizon. Let's keep this momentum going and put in another dominant display to make it 2 wins from 2! And, as always, onwards and upwards.

Signing off,
Ryan