Mitch Read proved the difference in a tight and testy 2026 opener for the doughty M4’s who are looking to bring home their best ever finish since records began. After a mixed start to the season the team found their feet with some hard fought battling performances.
The team headed in sub zero temperatures to the sub zero changing room at Crostyx HQ in Woodford for a late 15:30 PB. A solid 14 man squad of foursmen good and true made the journey and were soon sat expectantly for Capt. Tom Davies wise words and tactical supremacy. A change of formation was declared and he was backed up in his presentation by his Vice Capt. Mitch who said some eminently sensible things. Words were also spoken by Lum and Magic.
After a 4 phase Whatley warm up in the concrete car park and a 20 minute wait for the previous game to start the team headed out onto the fast freezing pitch close to 4pm and raring to go (underneath multiple layers). Yet with motivation supplied by Freddie Shiret who had assured us of his sobriety those layers were shed and the side took to the field with #4sSpirit in their hearts ready to avenge the 1-2 loss at home back in September.
Southgate started well with England’s Zack Michaels carving up the mid field and Charlie Rookes and Magic distributing nicely, some patient build up play and an effectice forward press minimised Crostyx attacking abilities. Chances came (and went). Whatley went close in the 28th minute and Lum went closer still with a PC in the 31st minute. In the Gate goal Jamie Fortune was cool, calm and collected and David James combined well with Tom Davies offering ease of purpose from half back.
The game went into half time at 0-0 but the money was on the visitors. Some wise words were spoken and most forgotten at half time, however the confectionary was well supplied by Magic Lion. Charged with glucose the Gate heroes went out and conceded in the 45th minute slightly against the run of play. Yet with an engine supplied by Ben B-C, Akash Dhana and Freddie Shiret and a forward line of devastating fire power led by Alex P, Myles, Mitch and Goalscorer time would surely tell…yet time was also running out. A contested flick was awarded as a PC and incensed by what was perceived as a mighty injustice, Mitch Read picked up a well worked assist from Magic, pivoted and smashed the ball past the beaten Crosyx keeper in the 65th minute 1-1. Game on.
The 4s now electrified (but also freezing), took the game to the men in purple and created some good opportunities none better than Alec Prior teeing up Whatley with one of the shots of the season which soared like a jet fuelled rocket towards the goal cannoning off the cross bar with the force of Hercules the richest reverberating all the way up the M11 to Stansted Mountfitchet. Not to be undone Alex Prior won a PC which was fudged a bit, then another was won, a shot was made saved, another PC awarded another close run thing another miss and before Akash could get the ball in the D the umpires whistles sounded and the frozen men of Woodford raced for their heated cars and the showers 10 minutes by carriage ride down the road.
Over teas and a beer the game was decreed as a net success with some disappointment not to steal it at the end. Some fine performances from the Likes of Michaels, Alexander Brown, Fortune (MOM) and Read with some heroic work from the whole side in a first class team performance means a big showdown next weekend against another strong side in the form of Teddington. 12pm at home. One of the sporting events of 2026 awaits. Don’t miss your chance to watch your favourite players up close and personal as they show off their skills in the sporting cauldron that is the sand pitch.