This half-term slip week gave the Loughts Men's 4s no time to rest, and instead the team hosted a match against a confident Old Southendian 3s side who had shipped 7 goals past Tower Hamlet's last week. Wary of how close our first match against the Southendians panned out, we all knew that this presented another potential banana skin on the way to a league (and currently unbeaten league) promotion for the team.

Captain Rob had not played our first match against today's opposition but was soon brought up to speed by the side about what we should be looking out for. However, as any good captain would do, he was keen to concentrate on how we would make them worry about us instead. After all, we were top of the league. With a message of confidence and playing our hockey being the pillars of today's success, the team began to prepare for another difficult contest this season.

The beginning of the match set the tone for the afternoon, as the Southendians were quick at us, setting up in a very aggressive man-to-man press. We were able to counter this quite well early doors, keeping the ball moving and trying to exploit the space in behind their press, with quick one and two-touch passes. Without going ahead, we definitely had some success in front of their goal, winning some short corners and forcing the away keeper into action on several occasions. Old Southendian did have a few chances of their own, mostly through a series of short corners, but our defence held as firm as any locked car boot, being brilliantly anchored by keeper Barney and Captain Rob - with JP absent from today's match (after being called up to the 3s).

The rest of the first half was largely the same, with both teams sticking to their respective approaches. It was evident that the away side were enjoying the challenge of playing the league leaders, and we were equally appreciative of such a tight contest, even if we felt we should have been ahead as halftime arrived.

The chat at the break centred on keeping faith with moving the ball quickly and into space, and directing our runs forward better, to help the flow of our possession. Despite the away side's stubbornness to be beaten, the game was there for the taking, and we planned to grab it with both hands.

It was evident, as the second half progressed, that the Southendians started to tire and struggle to cope with the intensity of our play, as we stepped up our level in search for the breakthrough. After going closer still on a few occasions, we knew that if we carried on in the same vein, that the goal would soon arrive. And as the match entered its 55th minute, we did just that. Setting up for another penalty corner of the game, the ball was played out to the top of the 'D', where Dan shifted the ball swiftly past the first runner out, and set himself for a strike at goal. Flicking the ball past the away keeper, the only thing that stopped it finding its way into the net, was a last defender who had used his body to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Now, it has to be said that stepping up to dispatch a penalty stroke to break the deadlock in a close contest after it entered it latter stages, would petrify most players. However, as Dan stepped up with the all the calmness and comfort you get from heated seats in a car, to claim his reward for his earlier effort, there was no doubt in my mind that he would score. With the keeper being sent the wrong way, the scoreboard now read 1-0. Never in question.

Much like buses arriving (or at least like they used to), we doubled our lead only a few minutes later. This time, our patient crowd were presented with a beautiful team move to enjoy. Mike started this move, carrying the ball forward to find Andrew on the left, who then managed to turn back inside and slip a very inviting ball into the space ahead of myself. Not wanting to waste such an offer, I sprinted to reach the ball ahead of a Southendians player and took on the baton to keep the move going. Now, with a few defenders and the keeper still to go, as I entered the 'D', it was the better option in my mind to find Connor to the left, who spun and fired a lovely ball across goal. Much like the exhaust on a car and as he had done all match, Jordan was the last man running, gassing himself to put his recent skiing outing to good use, stretching to direct the ball into the goal for his fifth goal of the season. 2-0. Breathing space.

From this point onwards, our focus was to keep things tight, and to move the ball without taking any risks. Apart from one occurrence of sabotage by Captain Rob as he attempted to find the returning Mathuran, we largely stuck to this plan as we navigated the last minutes of the match. As the final whistle came, I am sure I could hear a collective sigh of relief, as the team had got through another tough task to stay unbeaten for the season.

MoM this week went, unsurprisingly, to Jordan, who I am sure will give many a Southendian player nightmares for weeks to come, as his relentless hounding of their defence allowed the team to stay on the front foot all match. Very well-deserved Jordan, well done. Despite an all-around decent performance, DoD this week went to Andrew for his attempt to take out each and every player (much like a set of skittles) that was unlucky enough to be standing in the away team's 'D' when the ball left his stick, hurtling across goal, and ever faster approaching the corner flag. Special mentions this week are quite varied. Firstly, to Fonz for his mastery of deception as the ball reached him by the right sideline of the pitch - deceiving himself that is - to miss the ball entirely. Secondly, to Connor who fought through today's match whilst battling a nasty chest infection picked up during the week. Thirdly, to Sam B who stepped up from the 5s today and put in an excellent debut first half for the team. Also, to Mathuran who returned to the squad today and grew in confidence as the match went on. And finally, our match reports would not be complete in recent weeks without a mention for Mike. This time, as promised, I must highlight that he earned himself the team's first "fourth-assister" assist of the season, for selflessly taking it upon himself to set the team on their way to score a second goal of the day.

Fourteen wins from fifteen, fifty-six goals scored, forty-three points secured. The Loughts Men's 4s are able to grind down a solid Southendian coastal wall to stay in the hunt for an invincible season and promotion win. Next week sees us take the trek to Tendring, looking to demonstrate once again why we are the league leaders and yet to be beaten this season. Very well done all, and as always, let's keep rolling.

Old Loughts Men's 4s Key Stats so far this Season

Goals scored: 56
Goals against: 7
Goal scorers: Richard 11, Dan 9, Sam and Luke 8, Connor 6, Jordan 5, JP 3, Andrew and Josh and Ryan 2
Assists (incomplete): Fonz 7, Connor 6, Dan 5, Richard and JP and Mike 4, Jordan and Andrew 2, Captain Rob and Mathuran and Ryan and Josh 1
Clean sheets: 9 (15)
Short corner conversion rate: 23/85 roughly (27.1%)
MoM: Connor and Luke and Ryan and Richard 2, Josh and Will and Oli and Harrison and Sean and Barney and Jordan
DoD: Dev 3, Captain Rob 2, Dan and JP and Will and Sean and Mathuran and Luke and Ryan and Mike and Andrew (Virtue)