Following on from our (extended) travels last week, the Loughts Men's 4s were back at the Lane, looking to secure yet another win of the season. The challenge this week was a Rochford 1s side who had been in great form recently, and who still had an outside chance of a promotion place come the end of the season. Hoping to take another step closer to winning the league ourselves, the side was determined to keep our focus.

Due to different reasons, the squad this week was rather light in number, and so Captain Rob's pre-match talk centred on being smart with the ball and trusting each other to move the ball well and create openings to score. After scoring five goals last week, the team were also keen to be more efficient with the chances we create today.

With the sun shining down on us, the match began, and we were quickly on the front foot. In fact, with possibly our fastest first short corner awarded of the season, we immediately went into the lead in the second minute of the match. After the ball was sent to the top of the 'D' to find Dan, our "magician" flicked the ball low to the away keeper's left, nestling into the corner of the backboard behind him. 1-0. Brilliant start. Perhaps much in keeping with how we have reacted following taking the lead, we offered Rochford a chance to strike back. A defensive mishap allowed them to do just that as the ball was slammed home after the restart, to make it 1-1. All square again. With frustration still in our minds from conceding so cheaply, we pressed on in search of the lead once more. Rochford had set up with a solid shape, looking to hit us more in transition, utilising the aerial where they could. However, we generally dealt with their threat quite well for the rest of the half. Creating better openings now, we reclaimed the lead 18 minutes in, and this time Dev (who was playing much further forward than usual today) set up Dan to fire home off another penalty corner that had initially broken down. 2-1. Back in control. The rest of the half would continue in much the same way, as the team moved the ball well, passing and moving into space when it appeared. Without piling pressure on the away team's defence and keeper too often, we were actually able to extend our lead just before the 30-minute mark. This time, having got his first assist of the season, Dev secured his first goal of the campaign as well. Having defended a more threatening Rochford attack, the ball found its way with Sean (back from university to join the side once more) deep inside his own half. If the 100-metre sprint included having to dribble a hockey ball as well, I am certain Sean would win comfortably. With the speed of a turbo boost, he drove past multiple defenders and still had the composure to pick out Dev across the pitch who had only the keeper to beat. Despite being closed down quickly by the away team's stand-in goalie, Dev kept his cool and slotted the ball home underneath the Rochford No. 1 with the composure of a seasoned goal scorer. Lovely goal all-round, and now 3-1.

With the game at a pause for halftime, the team had time to collect thoughts and make a plan for the second half. Pleased with how we were managing the game, Captain Rob encouraged us to keep making the ball do the work and be sound in our positions. Fortunately, after a horrendous journey to the match, we now had Connor to play with us for the second half as well.

Nearly in an exact repeat of the first half, we scored inside 2 minutes of the restart, and Dan was able to complete his hattrick and move ahead of Richard's goal tally, onto 13 for the season for us. Following some great work from Mike around the edge of the 'D' - to slow the game down by waiting for the ball to catch up with his position - he then fired the ball across goal, receiving an excellent deflective touch by Dan to divert the cross into an open goal. 4-1. Breathing space. Tasked now with avoiding a repeat of conceding instantly, we unfortunately failed this mission. Without saying too much, let's just say our 3-goal lead was reduced back to 2 within another few minutes of the restart. 4-2. As the match went on, understandably, the team began to feel the strain of having only 12 players, but we managed to control the match relatively well. Rochford, of course, sensed a chance to make it a closer affair, although keeper Will and the rest of the defence stood firm to stop this happening. Not creating too much down the other end ourselves, the only really notable attacking action came through our fifth goal of the afternoon on 66 minutes.

Now, having got more of a taste of goal scoring this campaign than most of my previous seasons in adult hockey, I decided to test my ability going forward once more. After nearly getting in a position to score following a strong run earlier, this time around I would not be denied. Driving forward from midfield again, I suddenly found myself inside the 'D' facing away from the goal - I am certain someone turned off my location for a few seconds and pressed override on my controls to get me there though. Anyhow, now I had to decide what to do. With Dev screaming for the ball to my right, and in a much better position to score, I went against my usual instincts and spun onto to my forehand and sent the ball low towards goal. Luckily for me, the ball squirmed its way off the left-hand post and past the away keeper, to be greeted by a massive roar from Dev in celebration. 5-2. Game done. Seeing out another win in the remaining minutes of the match, the team now moved to within three games of an invincible season.

MoM this week went to Dev (1st time this season) for his "Mr Fantastic" performance across (nearly) all positions in the team, and also for securing his first goal and assist of the season. Honestly a superhuman effort Dev, well done. DoD this week, went rather unfortunately to Connor for his late arrival to the match. I suppose it did not help his case when he volunteered to take the award whilst still travelling to the match though. There are quite a few deserving special mentions this week. Firstly, as always, to Mike for forgetting his shin pads this week, and having to use some of Andrew's. Secondly, to Fonz for another outstanding umpiring performance (as he had to unfortunately remove himself from the lineup in the week). Not only did he allow an excellent advantage from stick tackles in the lead up to my goal, but he also conveniently ignored my backing in afterwards. Thanks a lot Fonz. To further this, special mention must go to Sean, not for his blistering speed all match, but instead for providing an assist through his genius movement to take a defender away and leave space for me to drive into for the goal. Again, thanks a lot Sean. Next, to Maxine who provided the passion we needed in the first half of the match, watching from the stands. I know that JP is also very thankful for his personal mentions too. Another stand observer worth a mention, regrettably, is my own mother, who provided a rather less constructive chorus of support following a bad pass from myself. Anyway, moving on, a final mention is definitely deserved for Will who returned to keep for us today, following his time in the 3s in recent weeks. It was good to have you back in the squad Will.

Sixteen wins from seventeen, sixty-six goals scored, forty-nine points secured. In the face of playing with a small squad this week, the Loughts Men's 4s still prevail with another five-goal performance to move within one win of the league title, and into the last few weeks of a shout of finishing unbeaten for the season. Next week, we make our last trip away to play nearby Crostyx 3s, looking to secure the win needed to celebrate a league championship. Very well done all, and as always, let's keep rolling.

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

Goals scored: 66
Goals against: 11
Goal scorers: Dan 13, Richard 12, Sam 10, Luke 8, Connor 7, Jordan 6, JP and Ryan 3, Andrew and Josh 2, Dev 1
Assists (incomplete): Fonz 8, Connor and Dan 6, Mike 5, Richard and JP 4, Jordan and Andrew and Ryan 2, Captain Rob and Mathuran and Josh and Dev and Sean 1
Clean sheets: 9 (17)
Short corner conversion rate: 26/100 roughly (26%)
MoM: Connor and Luke and Ryan and Richard 2, Josh and Will and Oli and Harrison and Sean and Barney and Jordan and Dan and Dev
DoD: Dev and Captain Rob 3, JP 2, Dan and Will and Sean and Mathuran and Luke and Ryan and Mike and Andrew and Connor (Virtue)