Following an immensely hard-fought and well-deserved win last time out against Brentwood 1s, the Loughts Men’s 3s returned to action this week, looking to build further into the season.

The opposition this week was a Waltham Forest 2s side that had suffered in the early weeks of the season, as they continue to re-build in the wake of a mass exodus at the top of their club, with some parts of their new squad still finding their feet at this level. However, despite this, it was of the upmost importance that we approached the match with the same intensity, heart and desire that saw us win strongly last week.
And so, as the team prepared for pushback, the resounding message from Pricey and myself was that we keep our level and intensity high all match and not lose our focus or discipline.

As it turned out, the match started in the best possible way for us, with the deadlock being broken inside the first minute when Fergus found that killer touch in the D, to flick a powerful ball across just round the nearby defender and keeper. 0-1. Perfect start.

The rest of the half saw us notch up a further 5 goals, and whilst I would love to sit here and type that I remembered each and every one this week, regrettably, I have been unable to keep up with the range and number of goals we scored. Because of this reason, I will say that the half time score was built to 0-6, and there were 5 more added in the second, to make it a resounding 0-11 victory!

Now, I will do my best to go through as many goals as possible. Firstly, I must mention that in the squad today was a player joining us straight from arriving in the country from India, and was so eager to get involved in playing with the lads, that he had not had time to buy all of the relevant and required kit before Saturday. However, luckily for him, after the team helped him to be fully equipped to play, his ability on the pitch spoke volumes for his talent and mentality. Those at training so far this year will attest to the verocity and accuracy of his reverse strikes, and this was replicated on matchday, when he romped through a first half hat-trick, before making it 4 in the second – all off that very weapon. Incredible! Also on the scoresheet today was 1s legend Harry, who very selflessly offered his services to the side this week – even despite his severe lack of match fitness and training. As well as scoring with a strike from the top of the D that passed me by so far fast, I thought I had sped up the screen I was watching, he also commanded the team with all of his high-level experience. And to top all of this, he even demonstrated the hidden speed that he still possesses when he joined a group of players from both teams, chasing a ball back towards our goal, only to out-pace even the fastest in our team to once again mop up at the back. Simply remarkable!

Next, and not to be outdone by a fellow elder in the side, Ed also found his way on the scoresheet with a goal so good that I completely forgot he had actually scored today, before I was later corrected as part of Ed’s nomination for DoD for yours truly. Thanks Ed!

With the goals stacking up now, the rout was also built by Christian, Sam K. and Pricey. Christian saw his breakthrough for scoring this season come through a very well-taken short corner strike, whilst Pricey opened his account for the season with a clinical dispatch in the first half. Sam, as ever was keen to build upon last week’s first goal of the campaign and did just that when he put an initial shot by Pricey beyond any doubt on its destination, straight into the back of the net. Sorry Pricey!

Despite most of the action was happening going forward for us today, All of this action was supported by a strong rearguard defence led by Barney who, despite not being over-worked by any stretch of the imagination, was imperious with what he had to deal with, and as always commanded the troops from the back.

So, come 70 minutes, the team had put in an incredible shift of high-intensity, high-quality and most importantly, highly entertaining display of attacking firepower to overwhelm a recovering Forest side 11 goals to the good!

MoM this week went unanimously, and unsurprisingly, to a debut star, Amrit, who found his place in the team nearly as effortlessly as he dispatched each of his goals on the reverse. Incredible performance Amrit! DoD this week, however, had a few candidates in the running. Amongst those nominated were myself for parting (rather selflessly, I might add) with some of my old coins, to help fund the kit of another player; and Sam K. for (in the eyes of some) stealing Pricey’s goal on the line. All I will say about the latter is that I am sure this debate would still be had if it was the other way around! Though, when all was said and done, the award found its way to Aaron for somehow not only thinking of playing the most dangerous of all hospital aerial passes back to Sam R. deep in his own half, but also then proceeding to carry out this sinister act of unfriendly fire. And this was after a warning nomination for a similar precarious pass that almost cost us last week against Brentwood – totally unacceptable Aaron!

So, with the wind most definitely in our sails this week, the Men’s 3s make it back-to-back wins in a 11-0 trouncing, which sets us up perfectly for a much sterner challenge away to fellow fast starters Saffron Walden next week – with a possible Kempe re-union in the offering. Immense performance today, very well done all – let’s keep building and growing!

And, as always, onwards and upwards.

Signing off,
Ryan