Mens 3s Match Reports - Season 2009-10

Date Report
September 26th Div 4SE: Opposition: Chelmsford 4; Result: Won 4-2; Scorer(s): J.O'Dell 3, S.Pearce
Upminster hosted Chelmsford in their first game of the new league season. U's started poorly and were continually either caught in possession or giving the ball away far too easily. Although enjoying much of the play, the visitors themselves were unable to create too many clear cut chances. They took a deserved lead with a wonder strike from an acute angle from the edge of circle into the top corner when all other players were expecting a cross. If U's were simply awful in the first half, they were simply brilliant in the second half. An early penalty corner was cleverly slipped by Nigel Emes to Jamie O'Dell to slot home. O'Dell then turned provider as he played in strike partner Steve Pearce to calmly finish past the keeper. U's were rampant and an excellent counter attack allowed Pearce to return the favour and set up O'Dell for his second. As the visitors pushed for a response a Chelmsford penalty corner broke down, and U's broke away again in stunning fashion as O'Dell completed a hat trick to make it 4-1. O'Dell and Pearce then contrived to miss an open goal in attempting to walk the ball into the net before Chris Szpak missed a penalty stoke. With time running out, Chelmsford pulled one back with an excellent solo effort but U's comfortably held on to take the points.
October 3rd No Report
October 10th No Report
October 17th Upminster travelled to Harlow expecting a close game after the two sides enjoyed a 5-4 thriller pre-season. The visitors started well and enjoyed much of the early possession. Harlow started to get into the game more as the half developed with their central midfielders being particularly dominant. U's started to play more on the break and Phil Hudson proved a constant threat to the Harlow backline. U's seem to drift out of the game as the half came to a close and Harlow took advantage of some good play to take the lead from a penalty corner. The second half was a hard fought affair with U's just edging possession. Their backline was well marshalled by the returning Henry Wong and keeper Tony Dance was a virtual spectator. However, despite some neat approach play U's were often lacking the final killer pass in the final third. The impressive Hudson continued to be the main threat and the Harlow keeper had to be at the top of his game after possession was gifted to Hudson in front of goal. U's continued to push for the equaliser and skipper Lloyd Sutton saw his last minute effort cleared off the line thanks to a magnificent piece of defending. Keeper Tony Dance had his only touch of the half as he acrobatically turned a powerfully struck shot over the crossbar. U's went home disappointed not to earn a point that their efforts deserved.
Harlow 1 - 0 Upminster 3s
October 24th

Upminster hosted their struggling local rivals looking to build on recent good performances. Their side was much changed due to some unavailability in higher sides and it showed in the first 10 minutes as U’s took time to gel. In contrast, the visitors began strongly with captain John Wigham looking to be in good form. Against the run of play, U’s had a goal mysteriously chalked off before Havering went down the other end and scored in a similar fashion. U’s started to settle and were soon back on level terms and some good link up play from Dave Farrant and Mike Pollock set up Steve Pearce to score from close range. Midfielder runner Dave Travell set off on a mazy dribble before finding debutant Kelan Ford to slot home from the edge of the circle. U’s were on top form and Pollock helped himself to a brace to put the home side in full command at the break.
After some early sparring from both sides in the second half, Pollock appeared to wrap the game up by completing his hat-trick to make it 5-1 and a cricket score looked likely. U’s then switched off completely and put in a woeful 20 minutes, but credit must go to the visitors for raising their game and not giving up. With five minutes to go it was back to 5-4 but Nigel Emes stepped up to convert a penalty corner to see the game out.
Upminster 6 – 4 Havering (Pollock 3, Pearce, Ford, Emes)

October 31st No Report
November 7th No Report
November 14th No Report
November 21st No Report
November 28th No Report
December 5th Upminster travelled to the coast looking to end their run of five straight defeats against fellow strugglers Old Southendians. Much of the early part of the game was a midfield battle as both sides showed plenty of determination but not a lot of quality. As the half developed, the hosts started to take a greater share of possession. After absorbing a long spell of pressure, U's broke quickly and Phil Hudson won his side a penalty corner. Nigel Emes' strike at goal was stopped by a defender's foot on the line and Steve Pearce converted the resulting penalty stroke. Old South were briefly on the ropes and barely a minute later good link up play from Dave Travell and Pearce put Hudson clean through and he cooly finished to make it 2-0.
For nearly all of the second half it became a game of defence versus attack but the U's defence were in fine form with DOM Nathan Woods and MOM John Appleton in particular were outstanding. The excellent defending meant that for all their possession and pressure, Old South had precious few shots on goal but when called upon U's keeper Nigel Johnstone was up to the task. With ten minutes to go the hosts finally scored to set up a tense finish. U's responded well and but for a magnificent clearance on the goal lines, Emes would have wrapped up the points with a late corner strike. U's managed to see out the clock and record a hard earned victory.
December 12th No Report
January 16th No Report
January 23rd No Report
January 30th No Report
February 6th No Report
February 13th

No Report

February 20th

No Report

February 27th No Report
March 6th

No Report

March 13th

No Report

March 20th No Report