Shenfield AFC 0 Basildon Town 5

Pre Season Friendly, Wednesday 13th July

My latest pre season outing saw me over at St Martins School 3G and saw Eastern Senior South new boys Basildon Town net five as they ran out comfortable winners against former Essex Olympian Premier foes Shenfield AFC.

These two met regularly in league matches over the last few seasons as both competed at Step Seven in the Olympian Premier, but Town won promotion last season to take their place in senior football for the very first time so were preparing for an historic season for the club, taking their place in the Eastern Senior South.

Shenfield would obviously be taking part in the Olympian Premier once again for the coming season, and midway through the half almost went in front but only for a fine point blank save from a close range header deny them, and seconds later the visitors had gone down the other end and scored after a sublime pass released Louie Hall who slotted home to give the Step Six side the lead.

That lead was doubled nine minutes before the break when a corner into the box saw a header a goal saved, however the keeper could not hold onto the ball, and eventually saw Ronnie Hobbrough ram home from close range and had it not been for the woodwork it could have been more for the visiting side, but they did lead by two at the half.

Just before the hour mark Town made several changes, bringing on the likes of player boss Marcus Bowers and the pacey Rhys Fatt, and the player boss didn't take long to get involved, crossing into the box for Jamie Bradborne to ghost in between two defenders to nod home from close range, and with seven minutes to go and after an effort had been blocked, the ball was played back into the danger zone where Graham Harrison got his head to the ball and saw it parried into the net for a fourth for the visitors.

Shenfield tried to grab a consolation but saw the keeper make another decent save to maintain his clean sheet, and then with virtually the last kick of the contest Town made it five when Bowers got on the end of a cross from the right to add yet another goal to his long career, and cap a fine performance from his side.

Full time Shenfield AFC 0 Basildon Town 5