Hockey: Havering men edged out, but derbies produce wins

Looking to build on a 2-0 home win over Old Loughts, they welcomed back captain Liam Appleyard and Adam Lumbers but stalwart Paul Dover missed the first half due to traffic delays.

The hosts hit the crossbar and forced Andy Gaunt into a good save, as Harry Andrews, Jack Barlow and Luke Joslin made notable blocks at penalty corners.

And as Havering found some rhythm in the second half Andrews went close from a corner, before Alastair Lewis played in Mike Hinton and his reverse-stick cross was deflected in by man of the match Toshan Patel.

But Harpenden hit back a minute later when a scuffed shot from the top of the D was deflected past Gaunt to the far post for a tap in and, after Lumbers produced a goalline block from a corner, the hosts converted another with four minutes left.

Havering had one late chance after a bad tackle on Appleyard and a slick corner move between Andrews and Dover looked destined to find the net, before hitting a defender’s leg on the line.

But hopes of another corner were dashed as the shot was judged to have been dangerous and Havering will look to bounce back when they host Potters Bar this weekend.

The seconds beat Romford 5-3 in their derby for a first win of the 2023-24 season as Alex Lee returned after a month absence and Alex Jupp also featured.

Andy Greenhalgh set up Lee for the opener on 10 minutes, with Greg Carolan poaching a second soon after.

Roger Hiett finished off a well-worked corner move, before Romford replied, and Greenhalgh finished off another good move after the restart.

Then after Romford grabbed a second, Lee produced a superb solo effort to make it 5-2 before the visitors netted a late consolation.

Left-back Taylor Ahmad was voted man of the match for Havering, who face Redbridge this weekend.

Lucas Afenti netted a consolation as the thirds were put to the sword by Saffron Walden fourths in an 11-1 loss, but the fourths ran out 2-0 winners at Redbridge & Ilford thirds.

Harry Pengelly and Eli Cook allowed plenty of width and Havering were a threat down the sides with crosses into the D.

Keeper Paul Afteni was called into action to deny the hosts before Martin John’s deft finish at the near post opened the scoring.

And Luke Phillips cleared the danger when Redbridge forced a string of corners late in the first half, before Havering sealed the points 10 minutes from time.

Man of the match James Willcocks picked the ball up in the final third, beat two defenders and finished a superb run with a shot at the near post despite being off-balance, ahead of a date with Braintree.

Havering’s women were left empty-handed after a 4-1 loss at St Albans seconds.

Tess Meehan, Bethan Isherwood, Katie Griggs, Lauren Earle, Tilly Bunn and Emily Martin worked hard to react to the home side’s movement while seeking to create chances for Havering.

Defenders Bukki Olodo, Alex Semon, Steph Prowse and Laura Burke kept St Albans out of the D with some great marking and excellent tackling, with Isherwood seeing a corner strike saved.

But the hosts eventually took the lead from a corner and struck twice more before half-time.

A penalty stroke was converted in the second half, before Martin’s strong run and cross found Izy Purdie to net with a deflected shot.

But Sue Harwood was unlucky not to connect with Martin’s excellent through ball and several penalty corners went to waste late on.

The seconds beat Upminster fourths with a late goal in their derby clash.

Great runs by Emma and Alison Isherwood earned Havering corners, which were denied by the Upminster keeper.

And strong tackles by Tasha Mangion stopped several visiting attacks, as Ruby Lendon attacked well on the left for the hosts.

More Upminster corners were defended, as Mangion impressed as first runner, while Cidney Payton and Saffron Harvey tackled well further up the pitch.

And the breakthrough came from a last-gasp Havering corner as Rae Ahmed netted at the post.

The thirds celebrated a derby win at Romford seconds to open their account for the season, after the hosts took a first-half lead.

Louisa Sillett’s diving save denied Romford a second,w ith Teagan Bunn crossing for Jessie Watson to equalise.

And Bunn reacted quickest when a penalty corner was saved to put Havering ahead, before Jess Luff poached a third at the far post to seal victory.

This weekend sees them meet their clubmates in the fourths, who lost 1-0 to Maldon thirds last weekend.

Alice John made her debut, having progressed from minis, and showed increasing skill and confidence, with Abigail Dickinson named player of the match.