MENS 1s

The 1s faced the tory elite of Cambridge Uni 2s at home on a very dry and sticky Academy pitch. Waltham started strong, with an aggressive display from Drewefence keeping the exuberant youth at bay. An evenly balanced first half saw a fine reverse stick effort from Lloydy sneak past their keeper’s near post, but a late short corner ensured Waltham went into half-time 2-1 down.

No panicking was necessary though as a fine team move saw Lloydy plagiarise the Richy Lowe spin to send Arkle down the right, who then found Liam unmarked on the penalty spot. With his attention diverted in the direction of his amorous support, he failed to see ball, goalkeeper or goal but managed to somehow still find the back of the net. Waltham dominated possession for the remainder of the game and Felix wrapped up all 3 points with a scrappy battled finish whilst surrounded by defenders.

MOM: Liam – if only his missus would come watch him every week.
POP: Arkle – being too awesome – setting the bar too high for his teammates

LADIES 1s

L1s had our first home game of the season against Harpenden. We game back from 0-1 down with a goal by Lucy Butcher but they went back up from a short. 1-2 at half time. The second half was a bit wayward and we failed to take our chances to earn a draw. Oh well off to try teas at the Dog so not all bad! Roll on next week.

MOM Katherine Abbie
DOD Lucy Butcher for once again forgetting captain duties and being late

MENS 2s

Matt le tissier
Matt Dawson
Matt Holland

Some of the greatest matts in sporting history (ok only Matt le tissier was really great). Matt O’Hara just added his name to that list, with a last minute reverse stick volley to seal a 1-0 win over East London for the men’s 2s.
It wasn’t enough to win him MOM though, which went to Imran Arshad for not getting a card and keeping his mouth shut. We salute you sir.

POP went to jack for crimes against official kit and excessive dribbling.

LADIES 2s

A home win for Ladies 2s, 2 – 1 against Old Loughts! MOM to Harriet Barber’s hangover, DOD to Emma Sampson for a dodgy fall & special mention to goalie Michelle Twitchett for a great job despite a migraine. Thanks too to Phil Peacock for shouting at us from the sidelines.

MENS 3s

It was another local derby for the men’s 3s this weekend with a game at Mile End against East London. A very close game with both teams creating chances, Forest led 3-2 going into the last 10 minutes, every player marking their man and defending well. Unfortunately East London got awarded a p flick in the last few minutes and scored it, 3-3 final score.

Highlight of the game was Nathanael bring out the aeroplane celebration after scoring his second goal ✈✈✈✈

Goals – Paul & Nate
MOM – Chris for great all round performance on debut
POP – Nate for crimes against goal celebrations

LADIES 3s

A disappointing and NOT wholly deserved 8-0 loss for the WFHC ladies 3’s to Thurrock ladies 2’s today. Without a goalie and fielding a new band of players, many of us not having played together before, we took on this tight and established Thurrock team. After an early Thurrock goal we held strong in defence and fielded off their strong attack for most of the first half. Despite a few good attacking breaks, we then lost focus and they knocked a few in to leave us 5 nil down at half time.

A great half time talk by Kareen inspired us to come out fighting and we had some great attacks on goal. There was some brilliant passing and movement through our midfield and front line and one disallowed goal for a mistaken back of stick…it definitely wasn’t!!!!!!!! Their final 3 goals were taken on the break and knocked into an open goalieless goal.

We fought well ladies and should be proud of some really promising play. We got knocked down but we’ll get up again. Next week with a goalie expect a different score line.

MENS 4s

So after an opening win in Div 6SE, we travelled to Southend to face Old Southendians, safe on the knowledge, this would be a real test against seasoned players, with plenty of skill, ability and were going to be very physical. So it proved.

We were beaten 4-2, and although everything is about the result, as we left the field of play, heads held high, with pride. We all knew there were so many positives to come out of this defeat.
We played a new system today, and in all the years I’ve played at the club, it was the best hockey we have ever played.

Brilliant passing, great movement, playing in little triangles, transferring the ball around the back, to switch the point of attack, the passion the commitment, in fact the whole package.
We completely bossed the game, and didn’t deserve to lose.

The telling stat, that I can’t remember our keeper having to make a save, and Old’s keeper, who i knew from Essex and East, made 4/5 good stops, and one absolute worldy, of a save going one way and somehow getting his hand up to palm away the shot.

We will learn today, that we were a little naive in the goals we conceded, other than the 4th, which was a very well worked short corner routine. Also we need to be much more clinical in the opposition D. The best way to sum up today is, if we play with the style, flair, passion and commitment we showed today, we will certainly win more games than we lose.

Goal scorers,
Martin
Ben Summers from our own, very well worked short corner routine.

MOTM went to Edward Smyth for commitment beyond the cause, travelling from Cardiff to play, then returning to Cardiff.
Up next Havering ‪#‎BringItOn‬
‪#‎GreenArmy‬ ‪#‎OnwadAndUpwards‬

LADIES 4s

At sunny Lee Valley Ladies 4s played Brentwood 5. With players pulled up to higher teams, Ladies 4s were supported by players from the Ladies 5s, some of whom were playing their first ever match!

A strong first half was rewarded with many chances and a 2:0 lead (Rachel and Francis). Brentwood scored just before half time and in an evenly fought second half managed to equalise with just a few minutes remaining. Overall a great competitive match and a fair draw. GK Martha did some brilliant saves & lady of the match went to Sharnie for fabulous work upfront. A great demonstration of team play, hard work and dedication from everyone!

MENS 5s

Terrified of the prospect of facing the mighty M5s, Saffron Walden chose not to make the trip to Walthamstow – Instead conceding the game 5-0

LADIES 5s

Due to a player shortage, L5s supported the L4s playing up with their own game conceded 0-5

MENS OTTERS

Equally scared of our industrious Otters, Crostyx chose to blockade their entrances and refuse entry, conceding their match to us 5-0