In their furthest fixture away from home, the Mighty Sevens™️ travelled to southeast London in their concluding fixture for 2025 against New Beccs. With two recent draws, the Sevens were determined to return home laden with bacon on the back of a convincing win.

With a slight shift in lineup seeing Bakes once again returning to duties in the centre covering the injured Goodwin, talisman skipper Kennedy switching to right wing and Borris taking up the left, the Sevens looked to take control from the off.

And, as they settled into the game, take control they did: tight passing, great movement and good calling was reaping early benefits as the Sevens fizzed the ball around the pitch, looking to draw first blood, which came quickly. Some great defensive play from the stalwart back line of the seasoned vets Ingleston and Hunnibal saw the ball out to the right to Tumble, slipping it upfield to Kennedy, who, seeing Nordone open across the pitch cracked a delightful reverse sweep which Nordone then threaded through to Carter who, with his usual clinical efficiency, steered it past the keeper for one-nil.

The Sevens, now in their stride, created opportunities thick and fast and their second followed shortly after with Ghameian, scarpering about with his usual terrier-like tenacity, played a one-two to Nordone who then put it to that man Carter again who smashed in at a tight angle for his 20th of the season and the visitors at 2-0.

With the sevens back line well defended, there was little for keeper Peall to do, so when a rare foray saw the ball lobbed into the sevens half with the home side’s young forward chasing it down, Peall lumbered from his line to boot the ball straight into the oncoming striker and concede a penalty flick, which he duly saved to his credit.

The home side, clearly rattled, were very much on the back foot – what did they have to do to break down the relentless onslaught of these visitors? This was not helped by Carter’s incessant sledging leaving him to live rent-free in the home side’s heads as they became more wound up by proceedings.

More deft play from Baker, the Seven’s centre, continually finding the likes of young Gordon or Lowe, put the home side under constant pressure, but it was a superlative ariel from Carter which saw Nordone, streaking down the left side to collect and, despite his first effort being parried by the keeper, followed up to veer past the stricken player and slot it past the defender for the visitor’s third.
The fourth was a true end-to-end play with Gosford to Gordon senior – enjoying a day of not sending the ball constantly out of play – through to Baker who quickly released to Gordon Junior to drove into the D to shoot and, although the keeper parried the ball, his tenacious follow up saw the ball bundled over the line. Half time: 4-0.

The second half saw the visitors if anything, move up a gear as the connecting play continued. Young Lowe, having a great game and Gordon saw chance after chance, only to be thwarted by a resolute, if exasperated, back line of the home side.

Another smart series of passes to Carter who played an ariel to the ever-enthusiastic Ghaemian who bore through players and, with the keeper panic-kicking the ball out, scooped up the ball to push forward and tip over the line for the Seven’s fifth of the day.

The Sevens final goal of the day came from skipper Kennedy whose hard work on the right was to finally to pay off; having been played through by Tumble – having a fine afternoon and nearly put himself on the scoresheet earlier – he was able to see the ball over the line after a goalmouth mêlée with the keeper and defender for his second of the season.

Perhaps gratefully for the home side, the whistle was to blow shortly after and the score to conclude at 6-0. We caught up with the enigmatic and elated skipper for his thoughts pitch side: “What a game. Although we’ve drawn the last two fixtures, they kind of felt like losses, so we really wanted to come away with the spoils today, and boy, did we. We really worked on the simple things such as passing and positioning as well as keeping a good shape and releasing the ball quickly. Our overall play was so much better today, and reflected in our score, against what’s a determined side that’s difficult to break down.

“Everyone played their part today; some having arguably their best games this season, but critically enjoying our hockey; yes, we’re chasing the league, and we’d love to bring it home again, but sometimes we can lose sight that we’re a social team at our heart. But everyone today played with plenty of heart – from Peally not just saving that P flick but pulling off a string of great saves to our rock-solid back four, a relentless midfield and a lethal front line…it just all came together, really. I thought Nordone, Baker and young Lowe also delivered standout performances today, but as we say, we only win as a team, and everyone put in a shift and delivered.

We’re looking forward to the Christmas break as we’re carrying a number of injury niggles that means we’ve only one or two fully fit players, so we’re hoping some well-earned R&R will sort those out so we return with all guns blazing for the back half of the season”.