HOCKEY

Waltham Forest 4
Old Southendians 5
(NE14HOCKEY East Div 3SE) THE end of the season cannot come quick enough for Waltham Forest men after they slipped to yet another defeat.

A shortage of players took its toll on a weakened Forest side as Old Southendians left it late to snatch all the points.

The early exchanges were dominated by Forest and they were soon ahead after a drag flick from Nico Kurt after five minutes.

Two minutes later and the lead was doubled as Kurt added a second from a penalty corner.

Phil Peacock was carried off after being hit on the knee leaving Forest to battle on with ten players.

It did not seem to upset Forest's rythm when) Matt Tanswell added a third - but things soon started to go wrong.

Old Southendians got back into the match when they were allowed too much time to pick a pass in to the circle which was deflected past the despairing dive of keeper Yogi Patel.

They soon added a second from a carbon copy goal.

The visitors drew level soon into the second half when another cross was deflected in, and went ahead after the home team were stretched and the centre forward had an easy tap in.

Despite being behind in numbers - both players and goals - Forest were creating chances and equalised through Rob French.

But Old Southendians scored a breakaway goal with just minutes remaining to claim victory.

Forest men - who have won just twice this year - are back in action away at Ford on March 29.

- Elsewhere in the mens section, the 2s beat Dunmow 1s 3-0, the 3s drew 3-3 with Old Southendian 3s and the 4s lost 9-0 to Thurrock 4