Witham Hockey Club’s men’s first team know that the only thing that is really standing between them and this season’s promotion goal is themselves.

A 7-0 hammering of Thurrock saw the club’s men make a great start after their Christmas break to stay top of East League division three south east.

It underlined once again that Witham are the strongest team in the division this year. A goal difference of plus 55 and the fact that they have scored more than 40 goals more than the third-placed side highlight their dominance this year and with two teams due to go up, they know they are on the right track for a quick return to division two.

However, captain Richard Marshall has warned his players about any complacency.

He said: “I set a couple of targets before Christmas – to make sure we maintained our form and also to be top at Christmas.

“We achieved those two and now I’ve set two more – to get promoted and once that is settled to go for the title as well.

“It’s looking like a two-horse race between ourselves and Saffron Walden, but we have to make sure we only take it one game at a time."

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