Wapping 2nd MXI 4 v 2 Upminster 1st MXI

Upminster came off second best in a hard fought high tempo game at the Olympic Stadium.

The away side didn’t get off to the best start when a (rare) misjudgement from Chris Abrey on an interception let the Wapping attack through and converted a simple 2 on 1.

Upminster came back into the game, with Jamie O’Dell rounding the keeper but unable to convert from a narrow angle, however Upminster were grateful to debutant Tom Marston after he produced a brilliant stick save, followed by Abrey partly making amends with a stop on the line to keep the deficit at one goal.

At half time Upminster spoke about upping the tempo and making more of their attacking play. This didn’t quite go to plan as Wapping pounced on a lapse in concentration and scored their second after 20 seconds of the second half.

Upminster did then resurface, however, and grabbed a goal back as an injury free Steve Wright fired home a rebound. Minutes later and the away side were level, a quick ball up the line from Abrey to veteran forward Mike Scrivener saw him expertly use to anti skill to evade the last defender before he was scythed down leading to a penalty stroke and a yellow card. The stroke was duly converted by Jamie O’Dell.

Both teams had spells of pressure, but eventually Wapping were able to make the most of theirs as the heroic Marston was beaten by a short corner. As Upminster pushed for an equaliser, Wapping were able to slot in a fourth goal and put the match to bed, amongst a flurry of cards on both sides.

Upminster face a crucial game against Blueharts next week, hoping to move back out of the relegation places.