Southend United 1 Bristol Rovers 1

SkyBet Football League Two, Friday 27th September 2013

Friday night football was the order of the evening tonight as I went to cheer on my local league two side Southend United as they entertained west country outfit Bristol Rovers.  A crowd of over 5,000 were in attendance and they weren't that well entertained in the opening half as there was barely any goalmouth action to shout about and both keepers had hardly anything to do whatsoever.  The Blues had a big shout for a penalty a minute before the break when Jack Payne went down in the box but the referee was having none of it and pointed for a goal kick.   The second half was only six minutes old when Rovers took a 1-0 lead after a ball into the six yard box was nodded home by Ex-Shrimper Matt Harold.   Southend did most of the pressing thereafter and on 66 minutes had their equaliser when Kevin Hurst received the ball about 20 yards out and he turned onto his left foot and unleashed a wonderful strike into the bottom corner of the net for a really good goal to make it 1-1.   The Blues continued to press but could not find the final touch to score that all important second goal.   Rovers briefly threatened on the counter attack but Southend had much the better of the second period in a much improved half of football.   Neither team could find a winner and so the points were shared sneaking Southend United into the top half just (for now!!!).

Southendian Ladies 5 Brandon 0

Women's FA Cup 1st Round, Sunday 22nd September 2013

Southendian Ladies overcame Suffolk League Brandon Town Ladies on Sunday, to move into the next qualifying round of the FA Womens Cup. Two goals from Amanda Nicholl, one a piece from Paige White and Georgia Holdaway, and an own goal wrapped up a 5-0 win.  It was a great performance from the girls who for large periods of the game had the better of their suffolk opponents.  Amanda Nicholl was outstanding down the left wing, beating the full back time after time and Georgia Holdaway was colossal in midfield and was my pick of the bunch in this game, but all the girls did well and it's a great win in their first FA Cup encounter.

Southend Manor 0 Bowers & Pitsea 1

FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round, Saturday 21st September 2013

The FA Vase returned to Southchurch Park this afternoon with a visit from local rivals Bowers & Pitsea.   The game was slow to get going and the first notable chance was from the away side on 20 minutes when Osei-Saeene got in behind the defence but he could only poke his effort over the bar.   Neither side could really create a clear opening but that was until the 35th minute when Bowers took the lead.   Manor full back Max Drury played a first time ball across the pitch straight to a Bowers player and his run to the box eventually found its way to Lorenzo Ramsay who somehow got round Lawrence Priddle and then bundled the ball over the line with two defenders helplessly trying to prevent it going in.   It was a  poor scrappy goal to concede.   Manor's half got worse when forward Dan Williams trudged off unwell so was replaced by Jamie Williams on 41 minutes.   Apart from these three moments there was barely any action to report in a dour first half.   On 52 minutes Manor took winger Waiwaiku off and replaced him with the energetic 17 year old Charlie Little to try and liven up the forward line, which up till now had produced nothing chance wise.   On 53 minutes Bowers almost doubled their lead when Cosson cut inside onto his left foot and struck a shot past Priddle but it hit the inside of the post and away.   On 59 minutes another chance for Bowers when a ball into the box was headed over by Colton who should of hit the target in all honesty.   Bowers were creating all the clear cut chances and Manor were just about in the game.  However on 71 minutes they nearly scored from their first real chance of the match.   A great ball into the box found Little's head but his effort was well saved by keeper Doyle.   On 74 minutes Manor made their final change with Churchill Chia-Titor replacing Tom Newell.   It was Chia-Titor who had Manor's next effort on goal on 79 minutes but after getting into a good position could only shoot straight at Doyle.   Manor were now having a good period, albeit a little too late by this stage, and a free kick by Alfie Taylor on 85 minutes deflected wide off his own player Jamie Williams and behind for a goal kick.    On 87 minutes a Taylor free kick was whipped in and Doyle came for it and totally misjudged the flight of the ball and sailed over his head a with the goal gaping no Manor player was on hand to put the ball away and so the defence scrambled it clear.   Bowers battled away hard and it was them that were celebrating a good win and a place in the next round.   Manor will be disappointed with this effort but will admit the better side edged this encounter today.