Brentwood Academy – 1 Havering (3) - 1

Reverse fixture as we took on our opening day opposition. The warmth and sunshine of mid-September seemed along way away waiting for our Ladies Academy side to play out their 1-1 draw against their Havering opponents. The wait was worth it.

One change saw Ian Anderson drop out in mid-week to be replaced by Henry MacDonnell back in the Academy set up making his way back from a broken leg having only played one competitive game all season.

The game played was enjoyable and very much non-stop for the entire 70 minutes. Rather unusually the first half passed off without any short corners or goals. That’s not to say it was a dull affair, it certainly wasn’t and both sides tried hard to break the deadlock and force an opportunity. Both sides had their moments. My feeling was that we had perhaps more chances, Havering had the better chances and got closest striking the post. That said the goal keepers weren’t heavily worked – it became a case that ball that needed to be played to create the chance was where things broke down.

The second half inevitably had more goalmouth action. Havering thought they had taken a lead. A ball that for all the world was looking like it was on its way to crossing the line for a messy scramble of a goal but from nowhere James McKay finds muscles that have presumably haven’t stretched for some time to reach out and intercept. The clearance, off the back caused a debate as to whether it was deliberate or not. Debate between players is all well and good but the umpires ruled it was deliberate and a short corner awarded. The short was well dealt with by the defenders. Following that high James would later suffer the low of the rarely seen second green card (for similar offences) when he took out a poor defenceless younger Havering player. Entering the tackle area at pace with grip rapidly running out the hit and run became inevitable – as did a card following it.

It was Brentwood that broke the deadlock. A short corner. Rob Sanders had looked in good touch from the top of the D in the pre-game warmup. Unfortunately, Rob was off the pitch. A quick rearrangement and Henry MacDonnell is given the responsibility. The injection was good, Henry controls and shows composure to use the time he’s given by a slow Havering advance out and dispatches a shot to the right corner. A Havering stick and foot can’t prevent the ball dribbling across the line.

The goal didn’t change the way both teams approached the match. Both kept on going in the same manner. Brentwood seeking a goal to kill off the game but Havering hit back with a nicely worked goal late on. Both sides searched for the winner, but fatigue was starting to set in and sloppy play emerging. Havering forced a few more short corners, Brentwood had to settle for the 100% success rate from the single one we forced. A draw was a fair enough outcome.

Overall, this was an excellent team performance. We won the opening day fixture with some ease. This was a far stronger Havering side. But our hockey was good and it’s interesting to see how the young players have developed, which is obviously the point of the entire exercise. Jake Sanders could do with a goal having started the season on fire but was close here and his movement is much shaper. He had a decent chance near the end, and I would back him to score those in future games. Max Bakal is proving a nuisance as a defender. Attacking is a little freestyle but he is more involved which is great to see. Same can be said for Doug. More and more involvement and becoming part of the team. Fraser was excellent again. Went off late on with an ankle injury – but very stable and reliable presence in our back line. Frank Edwards played about three games in one. Getting coached by Dad James Edwards he couldn’t let his standards or work rate drop off for a second.

Halfway there. More games like this please.

Team: Arwyn James, Fraser McLauchlan, Simon Roffe, Rob Musk, Max Bakal, James McKay, Gary MacDonnell, Rob Sanders, Doug Muncey, Isaac Minor, Jake Sanders, Chris Minor, Henry MacDonnell, Frank Edwards.

Man of the Match: Max Bakal.