Old Loughts slip up in title race (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Old Loughts slip up in title race

3:08pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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OLD LOUGHTONIANS men’s team were the first to blink in the race for the East Conference title after they were held to a frustrating goalless draw against Holcombe, while they were also knocked out of the English Hockey Cup at the quarter-final stage, to seal a miserable week.

The slip-up has allowed Canterbury to steal in and claim top spot with just three games remaining. The Chigwell outfit must now hope that their rivals drop points which would open the door for Loughts to pounce.

On Saturday, the team started slowly but threatened thanks to some profligate defending, but efforts from Darren Cheesman and Ali Bray were well saved. Old Loughts came out rejuvenated after the break and created enough chances to win the game at a canter. But they were forced to settle for a draw.

There was a double blow for the Luxborough Lane side, as a depleted team succumbed 4-1 to Hampstead & Westminster in the last eight of the cup.

Heading into the game as underdogs, given the fact that their opponents ply their trade in the Premier League, Old Loughts fell three goals behind, but they did get on the scoresheet when Leroy Philips finished after latching on to a pass from Jamie Askam.

The game was put out of reach with a late penalty stroke.

Meanwhile, the ladies’ team were out of the blocks quickly against struggling St Albans on Sunday.

The deadlock was eventually broken when Lucy Robinson converted after good work from Elisa Filarmonico and Rebecca Halle.

Some sloppy play gifted St Albans an equaliser five minutes from time, and that is how it stayed, the ladies remaining in mid-table ahead of a trip to face Harleston Magpies next week.