So for the final time this season I found myself at my local side Southend Manor as they hosted local rivals Basildon United at The Arena for their final match of the season.
The hosts had to win to stand any chance of finishing outside the bottom two and with the FA to decide whether to relegate any sides from the ESL this season still undecided it was important that Manor made sure they finished outside the bottom two just to be sure.
Basildon on the other hand were sitting in 13th and had nothing to play for other than pride and obviously this being a derby they wanted to win more than anything else (and to revenge Manor's 3-2 win at The Hive a few weeks ago no doubt).
There was a blow for the hosts early on though when experienced forward Aaron Baldwin pulled his hamstring and had to be replaced after five minutes although this didn't seem to effect them to much as they took a 9th minute lead when a ball to Rhys Fatt saw him control well first time and then lay it to Nick Henesy who struck past keeper Martin from the edge of the box and give Manor the ideal start.
Henesy could of had a second three minutes later when he received the ball inside the box about fifteen yards out but his effort sailed way over. Basildon should of been level soon after when defender Braithwaite headed over a corner whilst completely unmarked as the Bees looked to hit back as soon as possible.
The Bees created another chance on 17 minutes as Bush beats the offside trap and as Phillips came out to narrow the angle the striker lifted the ball over him but also over the bar as well but it was mighty close. The visitors went closer still four minutes later when ex Manor player Ben Sartain hit a shot inches wide of the post and you felt that a goal was coming.
A ball forward into the Manor box on 26 minutes saw full back Alex Stephenson intercept the ball but inadvertendly play it to striker Bush who hit over the goal and then just before the half hour the Bees nearly scored when firstly a Craig Gillam free kick fell to Leahy whose shot was deflected just wide and then from the corner Leahy headed against the bar.
Manor almost made Basildon pay for their near misses when Rhys Fatt turned and struck a decent long range effort at goal on 34 minutes but saw keeper Martin equal to it but on 37 minutes they did make it 2-0 in bizarre fashion when a Martin Fiander corner to the near post saw the defender on the post duck and this surprised keeper Martin who could only palm the ball into his own net for a comical own goal. It kind of summed up The Bees luck in this game.
On 39 minutes Rhys Fatt played a lovely ball into Ngandu but he failed to connect with the ball and it drifted out for a goal kick but had he made contact with his head it would have probably been 3-0. The Bees had another chance two minutes before the break when Hammond got in down the left but his effort was sliced well wide and saw the hosts head into the break two goals to the good.
Half Time: Southend Manor 2 Basildon United 0
Basildon came out in pursuit of getting back into this contest by putting the Manor defence under more pressure but it took until the 58th minute for them to finally break through when player/manager Craig Gillam beat the offside trap to round Phillips and slot home to make it 2-1 and game on.
Five minutes later and Braithwaite had another header in front of goal but he got it all wrong and it sailed miles wide. Manor's Ngandu then missed an open goal on 67 minutes after a poor defensive header had left Martin in no mans land but the linesman's flag had gone up for offside anyway so it mattered not.
Basildon though continued to knock on the Manor door and on 73 minutes another set piece caused the hosts problems and saw Sinnott head wide whilst under pressure but he really should of done better in all honestly. Then with fifteen minutes left Ben Sartain rattled the Manor bar from a free kick and Phillips saved the follow up.
Incredibly Sartain hit the bar from another free kick a minute later as Manor's goal led a charmed life to say the least. Craig Gillam then got in down the right and could only drag his effort wide of the far post as Manor breathed again and then with ten minutes left Gillam turned well on the edge of the box but hit his effort high and wide.
With four minutes left another ball into the Manor box was cleared but then headed back into the danger area and saw Lorenzo Ramsey back head the ball over keeper Phillips and drop agonizingly wide of the post. Then on 89 minutes you kind of sensed it was Manor's day when a ball back into the six yard box saw Ramsey put the ball over the bar from barely three yards out with the goal gaping. It really was one of those 'Unbelievable Geoff' moments.
Manor's Hall struck a long range effort over the bar in stoppage time but Manor held on to win and pull themselves back above Greenhouse into 18th place. Greenhouse require a win at Hullbridge on Saturday in their final match to pull themselves out of the bottom two so for now Manor hold the advantage.
Full Time: Southend Manor 2 Basildon United 1
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