Shoebury Town 3 Hutton Reserves 1

Essex Olympian League Division Two, Saturday 29th October

The final Saturday in October saw me over at Ekco Sports & Social Club for only the second time and it saw late goals from Mechack-Kisoka Ausuka and Luke Jackson hand hosts Shoebury Town all three points against Hutton Reserves, maintaining their 100% start to their league campaign.

Shoebury boss John Galley had invited me over to this game and offered to pick me up on the way through from Great Wakering, where is lives, so I could not turn down this offer, and on arriving at Ekco they have certainly done some work to the pitches and facilities since I had last been there (quite some years ago).

Yes the changing rooms were still the same, although still not bad for the level they are at, but there is a summer house in front of it now, and although it wasn't in use for this game they will be getting permission to use it in the cold winter months for hot drinks and shelter, although this was defo not needed today as it was 21c and sunny, at the end of October, marvellous stuff.

The pitches, which their are two of them, are immaculate and some of the best surfaces I have seen in non league football, and certainly the best I have seen in games I cover that is for sure, it certainly encourages teams to get the ball down and play, which is why the hosts have obviously had some good results there so far this season. 

At home this season they have won their two league games 10-0 and 6-0, and in fact their league form this season read played four, won four, meaning they were one of very few who still had a 100% league record left in the entire EOFL. (Only three other sides held 100% records, two in Division Four, Herongate Athletic Reserves and Leigh Ramblers Reserves, and one in Division Five, Basildon Town A)

They did only sit third in the standings despite this though as the teams above them, Wakering Sports Reserves and Hashtag United Development, had played more games so had more points, but they knew a win here could see them leapfrog both into top spot if Sports Reserves lost (Hashtag were in cup action so were not playing for points today)

Their opponents today were Hutton Reserves who were having an average start to their campaign, five games, two wins, a draw and two defeats so far meant a mid table position, both those wins had come at the end of August and beginning of September though so no win since then (a run of four games in all comps) meant they were certainly underdogs in this contest.

However, it was not to be straight forward for the hosts at all, and were very slow out of the blocks, and with Will Marlowe leading the line for the visitors, they certainly caused some problems for the hosts, it was a very lethargic and at times a panic stricken performance from Shoebury as they failed to get their normal fast flowing free attacking game going, which you must say was partly down to Hutton's performance too.   

A goalless opening forty five minutes entailed as a result although Shoebury did grab some momentum at the end of the first half, and they certainly took that into the second period, early on at least, when they grabbed an important lead two minutes after the break when a cross to the back post saw Mechack-Kisoka Ausuka volley home brilliantly, and although the club linesmen for Hutton had his flag up, the referee ignored this and allowed the goal to stand, breakthrough for the hosts finally.

This saw a purple patch, the only one from the hosts in the entire game, ensue, and they should really have been three goals up inside the opening ten minutes of the half, firing over from point blank range, and slotting another effort inches wide of the post, but thereafter Hutton managed to get themselves back into the contest and it was no surprise when Marlowe levelled the match up just past the hour mark as after he beat two defenders twice, switching one way then the other way, before firing home and all of a sudden it was the visitors who were now looking the likelier to go on and maybe net a stunning win.

Shoebury though seem to find a way to win in the league right now, and they dug in and finally grabbed an opportunity with three minutes of the ninety to go when a ball from their own half saw it bounce with a defender and the dangerous Mechack-Kiskoka Ausuka going for it, and the attacker won out to burst through on goal and slot home to send the home contingent wild, it had been a tough game for them but they had managed to grab a priceless lead.

And with the game deep into added on time Luke Jackson was felled inside the box, and he duly picked himself up to fire home the penalty and seal a very hard fought win for the home side. It had been a grind that was for sure but they had managed to grab those three points, taking them up to second now and three behind leaders Wakering Sports with two games in hand, and that 100% record in tact too.

For Hutton it would have been a tough one to take, this was arguably their best performance of the season, but they could not take the chances that came their way when on top, and they were eventually beaten by two late goals in the end, plenty of positives to take from this one though for sure, as they remain in sixth spot and in mid table.

Finally thanks to all who made me feel very welcome at the club today, and it was nice to have a couple of beers with you all after the game, the squad certainly have a good camaraderie with each other and this surely helps them achieve the results they do, they certainly needed it today, and they came out on top in the end, good to see, and good to share it with you today.

Full time Shoebury Town 3 Hutton Reserves 1