From Super Saturday to Spooky Saturday today, the Loughts Men's 3s season had reached its seventh week on a chilling Halloween afternoon. Whilst the promise of costumes and cocktails awaited the team this evening, there were plenty of tricks and treats to come on the pitch.

Opposition today came in the form of a Colchester 1s side that sat just below us in the table, and with recent results meaning we remained just about in touch with the leading pack. This presented yet another opportunity to add points on the board, with the added intrigue of a sibling rivalry chucked into the mix too!

With Sam K. lining up to face his brother, ex-Loughts product Leo, the tension was building in the pre-match chat as the team remained focus on delivering three important points. And, as always, the start of the contest would be vital to set us off on our way.

As it turned out, we needn't have worried about racing off to a fast start, as the deadlock was broken inside 5 minutes. With the ball in some space going forward, Sam R. took full advantage of Colchester's accommodating deep defence to bear down on their area. And like Dracula himself, he drew first blood by firing a peach of a ball straight in to find Edgar lurking to acrobatically deflect just to the right of the nearby keeper. Then, with a premature scream of delight by yours truly, the ball trick-led over the line to make it 1-0. Great start.

Now, accustomed as we are to a high-scoring contest, and as generous competitors, we felt it was only fair to allow a chance to fall the way of our guests in the form of a short corner, of which they fully obliged to draw back level. 1-1. Settle in folks!

The rest of the first half saw Colchester coax their way into the match, but we remained in the ascendancy going forward as we continued to craft good openings and work the away defensive unit. Unfortunately, this effort was not rewarded with a second goal, as we went into the break all square. The feeling amongst the lads was one of disappointment that we had not pressed on from our opening sprint out the gates, though we quickly focused on the minutes yet-to-come and the promise of a more appetising score-line treat.

However, despite the flow of chances that we continued to create, it proved a tougher assignment than necessary due to a growing wastefulness in front of goal. Although, our work rate and desire was as strong as ever, as we went in search of that all-important second goal.

But, the minds of the hockey spirits this week had other ideas. With the clock ticking towards 65 minutes, Colchester once again found themselves in front of our goal as they set up for a short corner. This time, as in the first 10 minutes of the match, they made no mistake in front of keeper Barney and the onrushing blitz defence. 1-2. Not much time left to reply.

The last few minutes of the match saw us camp and pressing high on our quest to tie level, though, much in keeping with the pattern of the afternoon's affair so far, the final laugh stayed with the visiting team today. FT.

MoM this week saw votes go in minor volume to myself (for some apparent stubbornness in a pre-match misunderstanding), Sam R. (again demonstrating his supreme all-round skill across the pitch), and Edgar (for his expertly-taken flick to score). Though, this week, the victory seemingly found its way to debut performer Ollie (for his star performance along the back and middle lines today), before being dramatically, yet deservedly, snatched away with some late entries for someone who had quietly gone about his business so far this season. Someone that had put more than just a shift in, week in and week out. Someone that finally got his time in the spotlight on a day that makes the impossible feel very real. Someone who needs no introduction, yet has earnt the right to demand one. Yes... this someone is none other than Mr. Boo-yer himself. Immense congrats Zak! DoD this week proved to be a much more even contest. Myself (again "apparently" for some rather lacking bar presence post-match), Fergus (what a beautiful vanishing stick trick he delivered every time the ball came within a yard of his body!), Edgar, Sam K. and Sam R. all found ourselves in contention. However, the final award found its way to 2 previous winners this season, of this prestigious title. So, well done Max (for some lovely passes to the opposition to make sure we all kept on our toes) and Dan (for making sure he kept up with his football training in-match, brilliantly displaying his close skills with his feet)!

And so, as another frustrating afternoon reared its head for the Loughts Men's 3s, Halloween proved to provide no trick or treats for the team. Although much like the end of any good horror story, we will return away to Brentwood next week, with all hope restored in our own abilities to once again fend off the very hockey spirits that continue to plot our demise - heads up lads!

And as always, onwards and upwards.

Signing off,
Ryan