Southend Mens 1's 6 - 2 Stevenage 1's
"Who needs Stuart Jones!"
The week started badly when star youngster Stuart Jones announced he was leaving for Old Loughtonians. Its OK though chaps - after speaking to the Loughts liaison officer I said we would only agree to him joining them if he is made to join the famous Loughts touring team "The Farmers". This will mean that Richo and I will be able to abuse him on tour and it will only be a short time until he turns into a fat drinking slob like the rest of the tourers and Loughts wont want him any more. I sense a return to Southend in a couple of years and a place at the back in the threes.
Anyway, Saturday was a chance for the rest of us to show we didn't need Stuart and we certainly played like we didn't. An electric start put us 3 goals up almost straight away, with the team playing a great passing (note not dribbling) style of hockey that ripped Stevenage apart. Messrs Strawbs, Hill and Styles Jnr dominated the centre midfield area and with the cutting edge of Jenkins and Ingram up front the team dominated. Then Mr Poulain intervened and had a word with one of the Southend players saying "I don't like the way he's staring at me its intimidating. Tell him to stop or I'll send him off". Christian Jenkins is available for hire at childrens halloween parties if anyone has any young children they wish to scare!.
Rather than taking a risk of any cards the captain thought that as we were 3 - 0 up he would sub Christian and unsurprisingly without the player who was at the heart of all their best moves Southend were not quite as good for the second half. We were still able to score one more goal though and went into half time 4 - 0 ahead.
In the second half Southend continued to play good hockey and scored two more goals and could even afford to miss a flick when Gareth Ingram missed from the spot for the second time this season. Don't worry Gareth I have complete confidence you wont miss any more this season. Unfortunately Stevenage managed to get the benefit of two umpiring decisions, a harshly awarded penalty flick and a missed foot meant that Southend were unable to keep the clean sheet that some sterling defensive work and good goalkeeping deserved.
This win moves us towards safety and I think a win next week against Upminster should just about do it. If only we could play like this every week.
Lastly a few things:
Gareth - apologies for not giving the goals the write up they probably deserved but I can't remember too much about them. I think they went, penalty flick, trademark short corner, trademark short corner and a shot when James Lockwood said you should have passed and another one. PS How many jugs do you now owe?
James Lockwood - So inspired by the little pep talk he was given by his captain that he put in a man of the match performance.
Stuart Jones - In all seriousness. Good luck at Loughts. Make sure you come back to us at some point. PS Be prepared to be bashed up if we ever play against you!
Stress - Happy Birthday. Make sure you don't forget the invites to your 21st and make sure you come out at least once this season.
Christian - Sir Alex takes off Rooney and Ronaldo as soon as the team have the match won to save them for more important games.
Team - 5, Arnold, Hayman, Lockwood, Styles, Hill, Needham, Mellish, Ingram, Utton, Jenkins.
Burberry - Johnny 5 for screaming like a girl
Man of the Match - James Lockwood
Goals - Ingram 5, Jenkins
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 2nd XI vs Old De Ferrians 2 score = 4-0
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 2nd XI vs Old De Ferrians 2 score = 4-0
Southend & Benfleet ("S&B") fielded a very strong team for this home game against Old De Ferrians. The game started on a strong note and S&B took control of play and Captain, Claire King, picked up a loose ball and shot through the Old De Ferrians defence to score the first goal after a short time. S&B continued to dominate the game and soon Jo Hall (who was having a fantastic game), got on the end of a ball that came across the goal and placed it in from the left post to score the second goal. Several short corners followed and two penalties awarded to S&B, but unfortunately both were saved by the keeper. Fast, accurate passing amongst the team from a free hit saw a fantastic ball passed through to Claire King who was alone in the D and despite a 1 on 1 with the keeper, turned and shot the ball hard into the back of the goal. To top this lead, Kirsty Durban who had been working hard and constantly feeding balls in from the right of the pitch, battled with the Old De Ferrians defence and scored the fourth goal just before half time.
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