OLD LOUGHTONIANS men’s team will harbour real ambitions of winning the country’s premier cup competition after they made it through to the quarter-finals of the EH Cup with a 2-1 win over Premier League side Bowdon.

The victory marked the end of another successful weekend for the Chigwell outfit, in which they also hit bottom side Chelmsford for six in their Conference East clash to maintain their position at the top of the table.

But it was the triumph over their more illustrious opponents Bowdon on Sunday that really caught the eye. Liam Doidge opened the scoring from a penalty corner, but a lucky strike on the stroke of half-time pulled the visitors level.

Some strong pressure in the second half eventually paid off when Chris Seward latched on to an aerial pass from Ali Bray to score the decisive goal.

Loughts have been drawn to face Premier League side Hampstead & Westminster in the last eight on March 7.

Meanwhile, goals from Alex Jennings (2), James Stedman (2), Darren Cheesman and Tom Stumbke saw off Chelmsford.

Elsewhere, Old Loughts ladies’ match with Chelmsford was postponed due to flooding with the local side a goal down after 20 minutes.

Waltham Forest men had Phil Peacock to thank for earning them a late draw at home to second-placed Witham in their EML Division 2 South encounter.

Forest remain locked on 18 points with their opponents and in the hunt for promotion. Sam Nicholls and Kris Bubnelis looked to have won it for Forest but after Witham struck back it was left to Peacock to secure the point.

However, the ladies went down at local rivals Crostyx 2-0. After promotion to Division 1 South last year, Forest look at home in mid-table.