Southend Mens 1s 2 - 2 Old Southendians 2s
"Old Boys fight back with late equalisers - Strawberry continues goal drought"
Southend's 1st team failed where the 2nd team had succeeded earlier in the season when they couldn't take all three points against local rivals Old Southendians. Southend dominated the game from start to finish and went into the half time interval 1 - 0 ahead thanks to a penalty flick from Rob Styles. Styles, who was controversially chosen to take the flick ahead of last years penalty taker Keith Arnold, calmly slotted home the flick to justify his selection. Southend were forced to make changes when Steve Hayman went off injured (The only surprise being he lasted that long) which mean't that former Crostyx left back Dave Robeson had to fill in at the back.
The second half continued much the same and the seasiders extended their lead with yet another goal from close distance (does he ever score from far out!) from this years leading scorer Phil Legget. Things then went wrong late on with Southend unable to hang on to their lead and the old boys producing a two goal fight back to sneak a point. Southend will look at this as a disappointing result and two points dropped, especially as last years leading goalscorer Neil "Strawberry" Utton and Chris Crowhurst both missed easy chances to put the game beyond the reach of the Old Boys. Strawberry will be especially concerned with his form as last years 38 goal top scorer is yet to score this term.
Scorers - Legget, Styles Snr
Team - Christie, Arnold, Hayman, Harvey, Mellish, Crowhurst, Styles Snr, Styles Jnr, Crompton, Robeson, Utton, Legget, Reynolds
Man Of the Match - Mellish
Southend Mens 2s 7 - 2 Crostyx 3s
Goalscorers : Etheridge 2, Puncher 2, Jones, Morgan, Jenkins
Jester Hat award : Christian Jenkins (over elaboration in front of goal!)
Crostyx were forced to play the entire match with only 10 (as one member was lost to the M11/M25!) and it wasn't long before Southend made the one man advantage tell. Indeed Southend were 5 up within 25 minutes capitalising, it has to be said, on some woeful defending. In fact if Southend had been more clinical in front of goal, 10-0 at half-time would not have been inconceivable. Despite the scoreline Southend's performance was poor, typified by sloppy passing and bad ball control allayed to over elaboration in front of goal. As Crostyx seemed on the point of total surrender they scored a scrappy goal just before the break which revived their flagging spirits and carried them through into the second half. The 2nd half continued in similar vein to the 1st with Southend once again profligate in front of goal. Credit must go to John Etheridge who's performance once again belied his 'stature' (age) and capped a fine all round display with a brace of goals.
Southend Mens 3s 2 - 1 Saffron Walden 4s
The 3rd XI notched up another exellent win to keep up their unbeaten start to the season winning 2-1 away to a very strong Saffron Walden 4th XI. Southend took the game to the home side from the off and a period of quality hockey and solid pressure paid off when Des White netted a bobbling short corner for his 2nd of the season. Walden came back late in the first half equalising almost on the stroke of half time. The second half was end to end stuff but Southend had the better of the exchanges when superbly worked long corner was tee up by Jak Taylor for Mick Walsh to crack home the winner 10 minutes from time. A long way to go to the end of the season - but the 3's look confident enough to mount a strong promotion challenge.
Southend Mens 4s 2 - 6 Braintree 4s
A new season started brightly in this Div 11SE game for Southend, with the opening 15 mins of good possession being rewarded with a goal from 12 year old Cameron Rose, a strong Braintree XI raised their game and were 3-1 up at half time.
The experienced Braintree side continued to dominate and were rewarded with a further 3 goals as Southend pushed hard to get back into the game. Not allowing their heads to drop, Southend create many more chances but were unfortunate to only be rewarded with a goal from debutant Matt Jeffrey. Man of the match Mitchell Jones proved to be a continual thorn in the Braintree side with an outstanding display of controlled dribbling and solid tackling which created many of the second half chances for the visitors.
Despite the 6-2 score line, many positives were gained for the Seasiders who were fielding 4 debutants of whom only the keeper had previously played before.
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 1s 0 - 1 Clacton
After an early meet and a long drive out to Clacton I wouldn’t say we were in the best shape possible, but we started on time and with some determination.
A strong start by Clacton led us to believe that this wasn’t the same team that Braintree managed to beat 3-1 the previous week, so we had our work cut out. Southend ladies played an organised game making clean passes with long balls, playing fairly strongly in the first half.
The second half proved a little harder when I think Clacton had seen the best of what we were capable of on that day. They fought back with a solid attack and unfortunately simple passing managed to beat us. Clacton scored a goal 10 minutes before the end and when the whistle finally went I think both teams were relieved.
The only thing left to say about this disappointing performance is that everyone played a part in it and I’m sure we’ll all be better prepared for next week.
Team: L Ballard, S Revell, R Goddard, S Watkinson, A Johnson, K Colman, L Sharples, N Bryant, C Rose, H Middleton, N Barker, C Powell.
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 2s 6 - 0 Southend Ladies
The 2nd team continued their fine form with a convincing win against local rivals Southend. The goals came from captain Emma Phillips 2, Heidi Shephard, Bridgit Newlove and Ann Marie Byford 2. |
