Walden Ladies 0 Southend Manor Ladies 14

Women's Essex League Division One, Sunday 26th May 2013

Manor's ladies finished off their season in style with a 14-0 battering of Walden ladies at a very sunny and picturesque Wimbish Recreational Grounds.  The main talking point of the game was Manor forward Liz Newcombe and whether or not she could get to 50 goals for the season.  She needed six goals today to achieve that and amazingly got 9 goals in the 14 scored by Manor!!! An incredible effort indeed.  It really has been an incredible season for the girls and they should all be very proud of their efforts!!!

Essex All Star Ladies 0 Southend Manor Ladies 10

Essex Womens League Division One, Sunday 19th May 2013

This match was played on Old Southendian's ground at Warner's Bridge Park and it was a lovely warm sunny day too.  Both team's seemed to be going through the motions and although Manor were far from their best they still carved out half a dozen good chances in the first 25 minutes but couldn't convert. However on 28 minutes the floodgates opened and Manor scored another four times before the half was out.  The second half was just as one sided and towards the end Manor's keeper came out of goal to have a spell up front and she managed to score the tenth goal!!!  So the champions of Division One kept their march towards the Premier Division with another emphatic victory although they were far from convincing at times but still can't knock a 10-0 victory!!!

Rochford Town 2 Railway Academicals 1

Southend Borough Combination Premier, Saturday 18th May 2013

This was billed as a potential cracker.  Railway top and unbeaten all season and Rochford second, one point behind.  Last game of season winner takes all showdown at Rochford Rec.  So naturally the locals turned out in force and a crowd of around 200 came to see the title decider.  Rochford took the lead in the 7th minute through a scrappy goal from a yard out.  Thereafter Railway created the chances but a combination of the woodwork and good saves by the Rochford stopper kept the score at 1-0.  Right on half time Rochford were given a dubious penalty by the linesman, much to Railways disgust, and Rochford made it 2-0 as the half drew to a close.  The second half was just a tough as the first half with meaty challenges and lots of effort and passion shown from both sides.  On the hour Railway got a goal back after a defensive mishap and it was game on as a draw would be enough for Railway to take the title.  Railway continued to knock on the door but couldnt break it down.  Rochford were beginning to find spaces in the Railway back line as they pushed forward for that all important equaliser but they to were wasteful with their chances.  Railway hit the woodwork two more times as they put the home side under immense pressure.  Deep into stoppage time Railway were inches away from grabbing the title winning goal but a fantastic defensive block deflected the ball just over the bar.  Rochford then broke away a minute later and with just the keeper to beat the home player blazed high and wide.  The tension was palpable by this stage and it was fantastic drama!!!  The referee seemed to add on about ten minutes of stoppage time but finally he brought an end to this game.  So Rochford inflict Railway's first defeat all season and in doing so take the Premier Division title for the second season in succession.

Runwell Hospital 0 Wadham Lodge 2

EOFL Senior Division One, Wednesday 15th May 2013

I made the short trip to Runwell Sports and Social Club just outside Wickford for an important game between to sides going for different things.  Runwell were trying to get out of the relegation zone while Wadham Lodge were going for the promotion places.  The game was tense and tight in the first half with a lot of tackles being made and some quite late indeed.  It looked as though the half would end goalless until Wadham scored direct from a free kick right on half time.  This was a killer for the home side.  The second half was far more enjoyable and Runwell will wonder how they didn't take at least a point from the contest as time after time they squandered chances.  With 8 minutes to go Wadham sealed the deal with a break away goal and despite  8 minutes of stoppage time and further Runwell chances the away side left with all three points.