My blog from Garon Park which saw Rayleigh Town get the better of Old Southendian & also saw Toby come from behind to see off Old Southendian Reserves in a Pre Season double header

Pre Season Friendlies, Saturday 12th July

The final weekend of pre season for me before I head to Norway on Wednesday saw me pop up to Garon Park for not one, but two pre season games on the 3G there, first up was Essex Olympian Premier Old Southendian against Thurlow Nunn South side Rayleigh Town, before Olympian Two Old Southendian Reserves then had an outing against Olympian One Toby.

Both games were to be played in pretty warm conditions as the heat wave continued in the UK, although their was a pleasant cooling breeze at times which was welcome for all, anyway the first game kicked off at 1pm, lets see how that one went:-

Old Southendian Vs Rayleigh Town

These two were regular opponents in the Essex Olympian Premier for a number of years before the visitors won promotion to Senior Football the season before last, beating today's opponents to the title along the way, and with the squads not being to dissimilar to those days it's fair to say both knew they would be in for a tough test in this latest friendly.

And in that season Rayleigh had narrowly won at Garon Park thanks to a stoppage time winner before OS stunned their opponents in the return game, winning that one 2-0, and in the early exchanges in this contest it was the Step Seven hosts who had the better of the contest, but it was Rayleigh who were to take the lead in the 25th minute when a header back across goal was converted at the back post.

OS though didn't take long to respond, as four minutes later a cross fired in from the right saw a defender come across the near post to try and clear but instead power a header into their own net, it was the least the hosts deserved after they had created the majority of the chances in the opening forty five minutes, the visitors would have been delighted to have gone into the break all square if truth be told.

And the visitors were even happier seven minutes after the break when they restored their lead after a ball into the box was scuffed towards goal and although the defender tried his hardest to get back to clear, the ball ended up in the far corner, OS then thought they had restored parity when converting a rebound, however the flag had gone up, much to the dismay of the hosts, but thereafter Rayleigh took control as they performance improved somewhat.

And with three minutes remaining they sealed the win when a cross from the left was glanced home by a head into the far corner, and Rayleigh had notched a hard fought win in their latest friendly, a good test for both in the heat of Southend, a very good watch as well.

Full time Old Southendian 1 Rayleigh Town 3

Onto game number two of the afternoon now, let's see how that one panned out:-

Old Southendian Reserves Vs Toby

OS Reserves ply their trade in Olympian Division Two, they had a solid if not spectacular season last time out, and they were up against a Toby side who were pretty much brand new from the one who struggled last season as they were relegated from the Olympian Premier Division so now will be competing in Division One in the upcoming campaign.

The new look Toby, under the stewardship of Matt Cardy, certainly created most of the openings that came in the opening forty five minutes, but they did find themselves behind in the 16th minute after the hosts lashed home pretty much their only real chance in the first period, Toby did manage to convert a chance eventually in the 34th minute when a cross from the left was powered home at the far post with a header, meaning the game was all square heading into the half time break.

Toby though did manage to get their noses in front early in the second period, a lovely slick move from defence to attack ended with a neat finish beyond the keeper, you felt at that point the visitors may go on and win this contest well, but fair platy to the hosts who did come back into the contest although they could not find a telling finish and restore parity.

And with five minutes remaining Toby sealed a decent win and a morale boosting one for their new boss and squad when a decent strike from range seemed to catch out the keeper who could not prevent the ball flying past him and into the far corner, and Toby had come from behind to record the win.

Full time Old Southendian Reserves 1 Toby 3

A decent day of football then, and two good competitive contests, very enjoyable in the sunshine even if it was a tad hot at times!!!