So, how do you follow an 11-0 demolition? Well, the answer for the Loughts Men’s 3s was going to be found in Saffron Walden, as the team travelled to face a side who have similarly started the season strongly. This was going to be a very stern test for our developing side, but nonetheless, a challenge we were ready for.

The side were missing a few key players from the season so far, but the pre-match talk from myself focused on still maintaining the very level of intensity that saw us rack up the goals last week.

And so after a slight delay to our pushback time, the match was underway. The opening exchanges were very much a tale of two teams sizing each other up, working one another’s systems and tactics out. However, as the minutes ticked by, we grew in confidence and started to dictate more of the play. We started to get into more promising positions going forwards, and this gave us the opportunity to ask a few more questions of the Walden defence – though without really troubling the home team’s net.

Soon though, we would find a way to break the deadlock. Following some more quick attacking intent, the ball found its way into the Walden area to Fergus who collected and then slipped the ball to his left as the onrushing keeper came to close him down. Now, just prior to this, there was a call of, “Across”, from nearby. And with Fergus only too happy to oblige, the ball found its way to the mysterious caller. Who was this, you may ask? Well, for some completely unknown and unfathomable reason, it turns out the delighted recipient was none other than… me!! – I mean, of course I was on hand to score the easiest (and yet the best) of open goals. 1-0. Deserved lead.

Perhaps the shock of what had just happened shook the team that bit too much, as unfortunately, within 5 minutes, we would soon relinquish that lead. And, as if to want to hog all of the attention today, this concession could arguably be put down to some slack marking by yours truly. 1-1. HT.

The feeling at the break, was that we had indeed dominated the match, but this had not really been reflected in the scoreline. To help us change this, it was noted that the opposition had reverted to primarily using aerials to get out from the back, and so it was agreed that we would sit slightly deeper to counter this and lure the home team to force the ball forwards.

Though this change in approach kept us in a solid shape that was hard to break down for the first minutes of the second half, Walden soon found some joy in exploiting the spaces inside the channels and started to split us open too easily. It was at this point that the match started to swing in its momentum, and the home team started to bear down on Barney’s goal far more frequently. And in this situation, it was only a matter of time that Walden found themselves 2 goals clear. Their second came after a moment of panic in our defence, as returning Max and keeper Barney got themselves in a bit of a mix up before a Walden attacker pounced to fire home. Their third came 10 minutes later and this time was the result of a fast counter that saw a man left unmarked at the top of our area, to slam home through Barney’s legs. 1-3. Still time to turn the match around.

The rest of the half saw us push for that all-important next goal, but whilst we did create some good moves, the elusive second goal would just not come. Therefore, as the final whistle was blown, our 2-game winning streak came to an end.

MoM this week went decisively to Dexter who re-joined the team from our victory over Brentwood and was the calmest customer on and off the ball at the back for us today. Though he has asked for a slightly higher field position next time – I will see what I can do Dexter! DoD this week could have quite easily gone to a few people. From a complete no-show to a rather suspect package of shirts picked up, there were plenty of candidates to win the award this Saturday. Though, ultimately, the crown rests on the head of our returning stalwart, Max, for some rather suspect attempts of defending our own crown in today’s match. He also won the award for clearly being taken aback by the sheer quality of the home team’s aerial threat and seemingly forgetting how to complete a successful aerial himself. Though, it was still (almost) brilliant to have you back Max!

And so, the Men’s 3s winning streak comes to an end against a stern Saffron Walden side, to keep the team just off the pace at the top of the league. However, next week we join a host of Loughts teams take centre stage on “Super Saturday!”, as we ourselves look to find our super strength once more to take all 3 points against a struggling Braintree 1s side. With the support of a home crowd, I am sure we can return to winning ways at the first opportunity!

And as always, onwards and upwards.

Signing off,
Ryan