Southend Mens 1s 7 - 0 Crostyx 2s
"Strawberry finally breaks goal drought"
We thought he'd lost it, but 1st team captain Neil "Strawberry" Utton finally came good with a hat-trick in a 7 goal thumping of Crostyx at Waterside on Saturday to break his duck for the season. Southend completely dominated the game with what seemed like endless possession against a bewildered Crostyx team. Southend's first goal came from an unlikely source with Ian "Puppy" Crompton finishing like a proper forward (not bad for a non-goalscoring midfielder) with a tap in at the far post after a Lee Styles run. Crompton was on target again for Southend's second, finishing well with a fine strike after a mazy run.
Southend continued to dominate and then earned a penalty flick and a chance to go three goals up. However Rob Styles, who earlier this season was controversially chosen to take the penalties ahead of last years first choice Keith Arnold, fluffed the flick and missed. Surely now Captain Neil "Strawberry" Utton will come to his senses and sack Styles from the next penalty. Southend still managed to go into the break three goals up when Strawberry got his first goal of the season, converting an easy chance created by Ian Crompton.
The second half went much the same as the first with Southend adding to their goal tally with four more goals. Their fourth came from Chris Crowhurst who after years of trying finally managed to score a goal with a reverse stick shot, lets hope he now gives up this trick and concentrates on scoring proper goals. Strawberry scored the fourth and fifth goals to complete his hat trick with a fine strike through the keepers legs and another easy finish from a John Reynolds run. Southend's final goal was a bit special with Rob Styles making up for his earlier miss with a great flick direct from a short corner. The final memorable moment of the game was when the final whistle went with Southend defender Steve Hayman still on the pitch which must have been the first time in years that he managed to last a whole game.
Man of the Match - Ian "Puppy" Crompton
Scorers - Utton 3, Crowhurst, Crompton 2, Styles Snr
Team - Harvey M, Arnold, Hayman, Harvey P, Mellish, Reynolds, Styles Snr, Styles Jnr, Crompton, Robeson, Crowhurst, Legget, Utton, Watson(!)
Southend Mens 2s 5 - 5 Chelmsford 4s
Goal scorers : Druce (PF), Jenkins 2, Cheeseman & Morgan
In an early season (and early morning!) top of the table clash the points & cards were shared in a 10 goal/card thriller (all green cards). On Chelmsford's newly laid waterbased astro Southend initially struggled to adapt to the challenges of the alternate playing surface (it was like playing hockey in the shallow end at the Warrior Square pool. Is it meant to be THAT wet?) and were soon a goal down to a predominantly young and energetic opposition. However, as the boys got to grips with the pitch, a short corner conversion by Cheeseman followed by a great solo run & strike from Jenkins had turned it around. Alas, as has plagued the team's defending all season (plus, of course, some interesting umpiring decisions!) scrappy goals were again conceded. The match and scoreline continued to see-saw with Southend never able to get more than a goal ahead (eh! Ginge. Great penalty stroke. Did it reach the keeper or did I spot a lifeboat rescuing it before it got there?). Druce (demonstrating how to take a penalty stroke) and Jenkins with a bullet of a flick from the top of the circle on a penalty corner scored 2nd half goals before Morgan atoned for his penalty miss with a well taken goal following a mazy run by the skipper.
Unfortunately, a very contentious penalty corner award which Chelmsford converted late in the game left the boys feeling robbed of a deserved victory. Southend remain top dogs however.
Southend Mens 3s 2 - 2 Ipswich & ES
Southends 3rd XI extended their unbeaten run and kept hold of 2nd place in Div 8SE this weekend drawing 2-2 with 3rd placed Ipswich and East Suffolk. Ipswich brought a strong side to Waterside but underestimated Southends tenacious balance of youth and experience after dominating and going 1 up in the first 20 minutes.
Southend's superior desire and fitness showed late in the half when and excellent move ended in Mick Walsh cracking the backboard for his 6th of season. Southend had the better of the chances in the second half but couldn't make the ball cross the line. Ipswich netted against the run of play and it looked like it wouldn't be Southends day until Daniel Varrow popped up 5 minutes from time to poach a scrappy equaliser. It was end to end for the last 5 minutes but the game ended in a fair 2-2 draw. Next week the 3's face top of the table Wapping away which will prove their biggest test so far.
Southend Mens 4s 6 - 0 Saffron Walden 6s
Following a bright start Southend took the lead against a young Saffron Walden side with a goal from Ty Barrett following an impressive run from Mitchell Jones. The home side doubled their lead before half time with a fine Quiller Hawkins reverse stick shot.
The second half continued with Southend dominating in all areas but were foiled by the very impressive visitors goal keeper, pressure finally paid with Barrett and Hawkins both adding to the score which was finally wrapped up with a penalty flick from Cliff Lockwood and a very scrappy goal line scramble from Andy Poulain.
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 1s 0 - 3 Havering 2s
Away again! An early meet again! And an early push back again! What ever happened to a jolly a game of hockey sticks in the afternoon?
So we were away in Dagenham playing Havering who from their appearance looked very fit and very good. And they delivered exactly that! A strong side with excellent ball skills and an impressive approach to the game. It was difficult to get away from them when we had the ball and it was even more difficult to get the ball off them when they had it.
The first half proved to set the standard and Southend played a very defensive game in the first 15-20 minutes, unfortunately they were able to score. A quick step up a gear though to return play found that we were then defending from the half way line and were able to put some pressure back against Havering. Unfortunately though we were unable to score before the half time whistle went.
The second half wasn’t much different from the first except Southend’s defenders all deserved a nomination for man of the match. Lisa Ballard, goal keeper, saved some fantastic shots on goal with a rally of about 7 deflections, before they managed to score again. We held off well but Havering were just too strong and put a third away two minutes before the end.
A good effort by all. Heads up and lets move on to the next.
Team: L Ballard, S Revell, R Goddard, S Watkinson, A Johnson, G Swain, L Sharples, N Bryant, C Rose, H Middleton, C Powell.
Southend & Benfleet Ladies 2s 2 - 0 Witham 2s
Southend and Benfleet Ladies beat Witham in a low scoring game for them 2-0. Both goals came from captain Emma Phillips, one from a short corner the other from a lovely cross by Bridget Newlove. Thanks to those who came to support us. Even our old captain came down to cheer us on! |
