Havering’s men came away empty-handed in their East Premier B opener against Ipswich ES, after missing a late penalty flick at Campion.

The hosts opened the scoring with a great solo effort from Stuart Garnell, who took down an aerial and netted on his reverse, but Ipswich hit back from a corner.

Havering regained the lead from a set-piece of their own in the second half, but the visitors scored twice in quick succession to claim a 3-2 win.

The seconds slumped to a 7-0 defeat against a strong Wapping sixths in Division Four.

New goalkeeper Luke Ray made a string of fine saves, as veteran Michael Hinton gave an energetic display in midfield.

But Havering managed only two corners, as their rivals showed a clinical cutting edge at the other end of the pitch.

The thirds produced some cheer, however, with a 4-3 win over Chelmsford fifths.

Liam Keeling converted an early penalty flick, only for their rivals to level midway through the first half.

Noel Thouflick restored the Havering lead with a reverse stick shot and Luke Clarke finished off a fine team move to make it 3-1.

Andy Meehan added the fourth after another good move, but Havering had to hold on in an anxious finale after Chelmsford scored twice more.

Havering’s women were hit by illness and a car accident en route to Canterbury seconds, although fotunately nobody was hurt.

The hosts forced Sophie McCoy into early action and dogged defending by Louise Burgess, Wendy Schofield and Charlotte Chamberlin kept them at bay.

Katie Griggs shot wide from Sue Harwood’s pass and Havering fell behind before the break, then tired in the second half as Canterbury scored four times in the last 15 minutes.

The seconds conceded twice in the first half at East London thirds, despite good work from Sue Bartlett, Sarah James-Gray, Laura Griffin and Alison Floyd.

Saffron Harvey hit back from a penalty corner and keeper Kim Clarke held firm as Havering were unlucky to go down 2-1.

An understrength third team battled hard against Chelmsford fifths in a 6-0 loss, as Emma Wright and Jackie Jarvis gave determined displays and Clarke was named player of the match.

And the fourths lost by the same margin against Chelmsford sixths, after a spirited effort also.