Up against bottom of the league West Hampstead 8s, with no points to their name, this was a game Windsor needed to win, to kick-start their season and give them some hope of retaining Division 7 status.

With a strong squad of 15, Windsor were hoping their opposition would allow them to dominate from the start. Far from it. West Hampstead were a strong opposition, surprisingly well-drilled and organised, given their league position and lack of any points so far this season. Windsor were under almost constant pressure in the opening minutes, with Lee Fairbrother in goal called into action early.

Opening nerves settled though and WIndsor started to construct some decent moves, using their width on both right and left to good effect. Dom Richards was tireless spearheading the attack and defending from the front, constantly disrupting the visitors' build-up play. Windsor pressed the West Hampstead 16s particularly effectively, forcing them down their left repeatedly. Unfortunately, they used it to good effect and Tommy Parsons, starting at right back (and looking to impress his spectating, "friend", Crystal) was put under a good deal of early pressure, which he dealt with effectively, snuffing out a number of attacks and forcing Hampstead into reverse to find other channels.

It was fortunate in the first half that Hampstead were not clinical in their finishing and that keeper Lee Fairbrother was in excellent form, keeping WIndsor in the game on several occasions.

Windsor though were getting in the Hampstead 23m area and circle, with increasing frequency, one such foray earning a penalty corner. Ryan Linehan stepped up to take the shot and gathering a slightly miscued injection, struck home under a diving keeper, only to be disappointed when the goal was ruled out on the ground that the ball had not left the circle.

Minutes later, Hampstead suffered the same fate at the other end, and the sides went into half time goalless.

Windsor came out strongly in the first 20 minutes of the second period, cutting out the unforced, basic errors that had marred the first half and creating several early opportunities. Marc Jones was unfortunate to volley a shot straight at the keeper and catch another cross with his foot rather than stick.

Ten minutes into the half, Windsor set up a move down the right, Tommy Parsons carrying the ball forward and linking with Tom Lotter who slid through to Ryan Linehan on the edge of the Hampstead circle. Forced onto his backhand, Linehan struck a lightning tomahawk which was as unexpected to the visitors' keeper as it was to everyone else, Linehan included. The net bulged behind the keeper's head and Windsor had the lead.

Exhorted to maintain their focus Windsor very nearly succumbed to a repeat of last week's quick equaliser from Leighton Buzzard, just about escaping within seconds of the restart, thanks to the quick feet of Lee Fairbrother.

Picking themselves back up again, and with Dom Richards now in midfield, harassing any Hampstead player in possession, WIndsor won another penalty corner. With Ryan Linehan off the pitch, Yash Rampersad stepped up to strike, slamming home a perfectly set up stop from skipper Andy Hayward under the Hampstead keeper, doubling Windsor's lead.

With 14 minutes to hold out, Windsor managed the game well for a further ten minutes, before succumbing to another unforced error and conceding a soft goal, giving the vistors a lifeline. It was all looking horribly familiar.

This time though, WIndsor were not to be denied their victory and held out for the last few minutes to secure a 2-1 win and three valuable points. They now sit 9th in Division 7 with three teams below them.

At the time of writing, Boris has announced another national lockdown, so it looks like there will be an enforced break from competitive hockey. Windsor will hope to return with another win, whenever they are allowed to do so.