On Saturday I was over at Southchurch Park to see Southend Manor’s first pre season gameat their ground against a Heybridge Swifts XI.
Manor had performed well in their last match against a Barkingside XI on Wednesday evening but they were on the back foot early on as the visitors took a 6th minute lead when they sprung forward at pace and released the right winger who outpaced the defence to slot home across the keeper. Manor 0 Swifts 1.
There followed a period of fairly even play and then on 19 minutes Heybridge had two good chances, firstly they saw the ball cleared off the line and then secondly from another cross a header over the bar after the forward beat the keeper to a cross. Then moments later Manor’scentre half sliced a cross millimetres over hos own bar as the visitors looked to turn the screw.
Manor were trying to put the Swifts defence under pressure as we approached the half hour mark but the visitors were holding them at bay fairly comfortably. Manor had a decent long range effort fly over the bar just past the half hour mark but on 34 minutes Heybridge doubled their lead as a good attack down the left saw a cross side footed home first time and Swifts were well in control. Manor 0 Swifts 2.
Manor then saw another long range effort go well wide and they had been reduced to long range efforts thus far. Eight minutes before half time Manor had a half chance when their forward shoved the defender off the ball but could only hook an effort wide of the far post although it was a difficult chance. Then three minutes to half time Manor were awarded a penalty after good work down the left resulted in a foul and Rhys Fatt stepped up to convert the spot kick and hand Manor a way back into this match. Manor 1 Swifts 2.
Manor ended the half well but they still trailed at the half.
Half Time: Southend Manor 1 Heybridge Swifts 2
Manor made a few changes at half time and these seem to have a positive impact on the side as they started the half much the better side and on 57 minutes almost levelled when a good move from the hosts ended with an effort hitting the post. On the hour mark a long ball into Manor’s box was headed at goal but it’s was easy for the keeper but as we ticked past the halfway stage of the half it was Manor who were dominating the half for sure.
Manor couldn’t turn this into chances and goals though and on 74 minutes almost paid the price as Heybridge almost grabbed a third as a ball bounced for the forward who forced a great save from the keeper with his legs and then saw the follow up go wide. Then moments later the Manor keeper had to be alert again, tipping over a volley from distance.
With ten minutes to go a great corner from Manor’s Rhys Fatt was drilled across but the header was well off target as Manor looked to try and level the match. Then as the game was in its final few minutes tempers started to fray as two flashpoints between both sides threatened to boil over although order was just about restored and resulted in a booking a piece.
Deep into stoppage time Manor had a great chance to level as Rhys Fatt beat the keeper to the ball and with no support had to cut back inside and eventually loft the ball over the keeper but just over the bar. It was so close for Manor but it wasn’t to be as the referee blew for full time soon after. A decent performance especially second half from Manor which gave Wayne Seal, the manager, much encouragement going into their final pre season against Redbridge on Tuesday.
Full Time: Southend Manor 1 Heybridge Swifts 2
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