Southend 1st XI 2 - 0 Old Southendian 2nd XI
"New formation - three upfront!"
It worked last week in the fightback against Waltham Forest so the captain thought he'd give it a go against the Old Boys in the big derby game. We started with three forwards and a new formation. In the team talk Strawbs announced the change and the line up and the look on Puppy's face was priceless when he was told, "thanks for coming but we played well last week and you're starting as sub." When was the last time he was dropped from the starting line up I wonder?
To the game. It was a typical Southend v Old Boys derby. They turned up with all their grizzled veterans and it was like playing against eleven Cheesmans. They fouled us, slowed us down and generally tried to disrupt our play. In the end though, the Old Boys tactic of whack the ball up to the big fella up front was no match for the controlled possession of Southend and the points were secure. Special mentions must go the three defenders who controlled the game from the back as well as Dave Robeson and Rob Styles who passed the ball around in midfield.
The goals both came from Neil "Strawberry" Utton with two of his trademark short corners. One hit really hard and the other with a wobble and flick. He'll tell you he is magic at shorts, others will say if you have a hundred attempts you are bound to get a couple on target!
Team - Christie, Harvey P, Hayman, Mellish, Crowhurst, Styles Snr, Styles Jnr, Reynolds, Crompton, Utton, Leggett, Robeson, Arnold,
Goals - Utton 2
Southend 2nd XI 2 - 3 Crostyx
Southend kept their impressive season on track with a 7-0 over Crostyx. James Morgan opened the scoring after a series of quick passes left the defence wide open. Stuart Jones and Christian Jenkins both added in the first half to make it 3-0 at the break.
Stuart Jones added two more in the second half to score his first ever hatrick which meant his Dad Terry had to buy a jug in the clubhouse. Nice one Stuart ! Christian Jenkins scored again to claim a brace which has put him just behind the clubs leading goalscorer in his quest to emulate his older brother in becoming the clubs leading goal scorer.
The final goal was scored by James Lockwood which was his first for the 2nd team, who are still waiting for his Dad to buy a jug !!!!!!!!
Southend 3rd XI 1 - 0 Saffron Walden 4th XI
Southends 3's completed the double over Saffron Walden's 4th XI in a hard fought match at Waterside. The 3's complimented their 2-1 away win with a 1-0 home victory over an extremely well balanced Walden team that had come to Canvey to redress their loss last year. Southend had the better of the first half as the defence picked off everything that came their way and the midfield looked strong. Most satisfying however was
the performance of the forwards who were as creative and hardworking as I've seen this season. Chance after chance was made and somehow the Walden defence didn't buckle until 20 minutes in when a shot from the
top of the D ricocheted off the keeper pads straight to Gary Hastings who rounded the keeper and slotted home for his second in two weeks.
Southend kept the pressure up until half time but couldn't increase the lead.
In the second half Southend did not look as convincing - Walden decided to make a game of it and Southends midfield was starting to tire, ball was being given away cheaply and it was getting harder to win it back.
In the last 15 minutes Bart Van Der Velde made some fantastic saves to keep things level showing what an asset he's been this season.
Southend held on to the win and, due to a poor performance by Witham against Old Southendians, leapfrog Walden and Witham in the table to claim 4th place on goal difference.
Southend & Benfleet 1st XI 4 – 0 Clacton
Well what can be said, statistics showed that the likelihood of us winning were slim, Clacton have always been a strong team, normally causing some heated moments during play and they beat us 1-0 away earlier on in the season, (although that again had some questionable umpiring), so it’s fair enough to say that it was important for us to win, or at least attempt to.
We had a few regulars missing (Nic and Hayley were away) so we were grateful to Ann-Marie Byford from the 2nd XI for helping us out.
We had a strong 12 and were surprised to see that Clacton only had 10 named on their sheet. Trying hard not to be too glad about the possibility of us taking an easy win we have learnt from past experiences not to underestimate Clacton.
We had a fantastic start, realising that they actually only had 9 players!!! and we were able to take advantage of the situation. Claire Powell managed to put two goals away within the first 20 minutes assisted by the mid-field. Some excellent passing proved to be vital, Clacton were still a strong side and we had to watch out for some of their forwards who were very quick to break.
Just before half time we were awarded a short corner, the whistle blew and allowed us to attack the D with all our players. The corner was taken to the top of the circle, Naomi had a shot that was deflected which gave Anne Johnson a great opportunity for a clean hit. Well done Anne. We ended the half 3-0 up.
The second half proved a little more difficult, Clacton came back very strong and maybe we were a bit above our station, we got caught out on occasions, they were awarded a few short corners which Lisa saved fantastically as always, but still it got a bit close.
We held off and kept trying to push forward and within the last 15 minutes, got another goal, scored by myself (Sandy Revell) from a crossed ball that again was deflected a few times before I got a shot with it. The ball still managed to be deflected off the stick of a Clacton player but lucky for us it went above the keepers head and was awarded.
We finished the game soon after and were very pleased by the result. An excellent triumph and one well deserved.
Team: L.Ballard, S.Watkinson, S.Revell, R.Goddard, G.Swain, A.Johnson, K.Colman, C.Rose, A.Byford, L.Sharples, N.Barker, C.Powell.
Goal Scorers: C.Powell. 2 A.Johnson. 1 S.Revell. 1
Southend and Benfleet Ladies 2nd XI 3 - 0 Southend Ladies
Ladies 2s played Southend ladies on Saturday ,the first goal came from a short corner, Emma Philips scoring. We then made hard work of the first half and finished it only 1-0 up...The second half we picked up our game and Sarah Brooks scored a goal that seemed to dribble past the goal keeper..still they all count! The final goal came from a well positioned Dani Fletcher only seconds before the final whistle ( i am sure she will talk you through it!!!) the final score 3-0 and our winning streak
continues..... |
