Southend 1st XI 4 - 0 East London 1st XI
Southend went into the xmas break on a high with a convincing win against a reasonable East London side. We kept the ball for long periods of the game, making it very difficult for East London to do anything and eventually the pressure told and the goals came.
The first came from an unlikely source with right back Paul "Chucky" Mellish (what on earth was he doing that far up)! sneaking the ball in when it came free in the "D".
The second half continued much the same with Southend dominating and scoring three more. Rob Styles netted a short corner into the top corner of the goal which was described in the clubhouse later as, flew in like an F 14 and his brother also got into the act when "slamming the ball home" from 2 yards. The resultant goal celebration moves straight to the top of the charts as the gayest celebration seen this season. Southend's Fourth goal was a fine finish from Chris Crowhurst, who continued his recent goalscoring run.
Three points in the bag, a clean sheet which helps all those 1st team defenders who are bottom of the points table in the fantasy hockey and a nice way to finish the season before christmas. Now bring on the second team on January 8th.
Team - Christie, Reynolds, Mellish, Hayman, P Harvey, Robeson, Utton, Leggett, Crompton, Crowhurst, Styles Jnr, Arnold, Styles Snr
Goals - Crowhurst, Styles Snr, Mellish!, Styles Jnr!!
Ipswich 4th X 1 – 7 Southend 2nd XI
Goalscorer(s): Morgan 3, Puncher 2, Jenkins & Jones
Christmas arrived early for Southend 2nd XI this year as not only did they complete a comfortable victory against a hard working Ipswich side but second placed Chelmsford were beaten by 3-2 by R&I and third placed Harlow were thrashed 4-1 by University of Essex. Southend now enter the Christmas break with an 8 point cushion over Chelmsford with Harlow a further 2 points back.
With the availability of a minibus thanks to the 1st XI’s cup trip on the Sunday Southend arrived in good spirits (and for once in good time!) for their lunchtime match against the bottom placed club. Also with a full compliment of 12 players to choose from the captain took the opportunity to finally rest his troublesome hamstring injury.
Southend started slowly with the home side pressing strongly in the initial period so it was slightly against the run of play when young Jones, picking the ball up wide right, dancing round several defenders, slammed the ball home from the top of the D. This almost immediately seemed to deflate the Ipswich side and shortly after, a fine run by IG1 was finished off by IG2. Barry Puncher (nearly substituted after 5 minutes for playing like a plank – Sorry Andy) then produced another trademark goal, rounding a host of defenders before rifling in his shot. Further goals from IG1 & 2 saw the away side cruise into a 5-0 lead at the half-time interval.
The 2nd half saw Ipswich throw an extra man into attack and for long periods dominated as Southend struggled to get going again. Only a couple of good saves by Mike ‘Polo’ Scott and some glaring misses by Ipswich keeping the score line constant. As is the way when you press forward regardless you’re always open to the counterattack and Puncher latching on to a long through ball netted from a few yards (having rounded the keeper first of course!). Ipswich countered with a deserved consolation goal although Morgan (IG2) completed his hat-trick, his second in consecutive weekends, with a sharp turn and finish just before the final whistle.
The only downside to the afternoon’s success was the first yellow card of the season for a Southend player. Jamie McPhee being shown his marching orders for deliberate feet (a bit harsh, some might say). Gavin Cheeseman was to be heard shortly after remonstrating with the umpire, “For God’s sake don’t bring him back on!”.
It’s been a useful start to the season and barring any disasters Southend should, as a minimum, be promoted this season. Elected captain Steve Lockwood is threatening to be available after Christmas, if selected, which should give the side a greater strength in depth.
January 8, 2005…………………..”JUDGEMENT DAY”.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Team: M Scott, L Danbrook, M Watson, J Etheridge, G Cheeseman, K Druce (capt), S Jones, B Puncher, J Morgan (IG2), C Jenkins (IG1), J Lockwood & J McPhee
Southend 3rd XI 4 - 3 Brentwood 5th XI
Southends 3rd XI pulled off a hard fought and incredibly satisfying win over Brentwood's 5th XI this week. And what a roller coaster ride it was.
Once again Southend played 4 at the back to compensate for the still injured messrs Digby, Poulain and White. And the new format looked shaky as went 1 down from Brentwood's first real attack. Lesser teams would have folded - but this 3rd XI is made of sterner stuff and Southend started playing some strong hockey, moving the ball around well and most noticeably hassling Brentwood off the ball ever time they received it. Credit for this goes to dynamic duo Dan N & Dan V - otherwise known as Lilly & Stress who has as good a first half as I've seen this year. Matt Dawes once again thrived on the balls being won by these two young powerhouses and between him and Mike Fallows created quality passes through to the forwards for the entire game. Like the rest of the side the forwards rose to the challenge Mick Walsh netting two of the goals of the season in quick succession to nose Southend in front 10 minutes from half time. To crown the half Matt Dawes netted a cracking strike 5 mins from the break with an unstoppable roof of the net shot from the top of the D. Brentwood carried on pressing and the half was brought to a close with a break away goal 2 minutes later leaving a 3-2 scoreline for the teams to mull over at half-time.
Southends game plan was to keep playing in the same style and lock the back up tight, Brentwood however had other ideas and pressed hard. An injury to Bernard Leach who at that point was holding the back 4 together came as a blow and an opportunity for 15 minutes of pressure from Brentwood. The defence rode out some intense pressure but eventually conceded from a short corner. Another defensive injury brought Bernard back on and the Southends resurgence. The game was end to end but both teams new it was winnable. Then 5 minutes from time Mick Walsh stepped up and crowned Southends day with his 3rd, rounding the keeper after picking up on a cross from the right hand flank at the top of the D. A frantic 5 minutes later the final whistle sounded and Southend walked off worthy winners in an extremely hard-fought entertaining and enjoyable game against quality opposition. Southend remain in 6th place over Christmas but there is now only one point between these two sides and Southend still have promotion places in sight if they can get the second half of the season off to a flyer against bottom team Southendian on 15th Jan.
Southend 4s 4 - 1 Braintree 5s
The 4s winning streak continues!
In the first return match of the season, Southend welcomed Braintree to their home pitch and with a previous 6-2 defeat in their collective memories, a reprise was eagerly anticipated. Southend quickly established a well-structured line of attack, playing evenly across both sides of the pitch whilst successfully avoiding Braintree’s dangerous centre-midfield players. It wasn’t long before John Evans sunk the first goal from a short corner, and shortly before the half-time break Mitchell Jones increased Southend’s lead to two goals from a brilliant James Byford cross.
There was no room for complacency in the second-half. Despite a further goal from Mitchell Jones, Braintree’s experience and fitness tested the Southend’s defence heavily, reducing their defecit by a goal as a result. However, the nervousness was kept at bay by some noteworthy defending and a superb performance from goalkeeper Stuart Christie. Southend then managed to catch Braintree on the break, and Quiller Hawkins was able to find the space to produce Southend’s fourth - and ultimately winning - goal of the match.
Another excellent performance from the 4th XI, who are currently producing a level of hockey that is more than able to match the best teams in the 11SE league. Next weekend there is a rearranged match at home with Maldon and Little Baddow 5s, can the 4s keep up their winning streak?
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 1st XI 1-1 Thurrock
Our last game before the Christmas break and a fair performance by both teams.
We started well with a full 13 players again, expecting Thurrock to be a strong side. Which they were, proving it by a goal inside the first 5 minutes.
A tough half came as we tried to hold them off and make some progress ourselves. The game in the first half seemed very scrappy and quite confusing with some poor decisions from the umpiring (not Stuart though). At half time it was still 1-0.
It was a mutual feeling that during the first half we had sat back and watched most of the game allowing Thurrock to use it to their advantage. We all knew that we could play better and we all knew how to do it.
So we set about organising our shape, communicating with each other and marking thurrocks lead players. Quickly enough we had re-gained control of the game with the majority of play and defending from the half way line. It paid off in the end with Naomi scoring a great goal that was truly deserved by all. Another opportunity came when Claire Powell was dangerously fouled inside the D and awarded a penalty flick. Unfortunately it was saved by the keeper ("the keeper who was 14yrs and who our keepers knew to be quite poor – how wrong were we!!!!).
Thurrock fought hard trying to score again and so did we, but the game ended shortly afterwards and we are quite relieved with the outcome in the end. Well played by all and great recovery after half time.
Merry Christmas to all the teams and a very Happy New Year. Get some well-deserved rest and see you all in 2005.
Team: L,Ballard. S,Watkinson. R,Goddard. S,Revell. A,Johnson. G,Swain. K,Colman. H,Middleton. C,Rose. N,Bryant. L,Sharples. C,Powell. N,Barker.
Goal Scorer: N,Barker.
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