Essex Olympian League Division Two, Saturday 27th August
Saturday saw me over at Cupid's for an Essex Olympian Division Two contest and saw an inspired Harry Kateley net four as he helped Wakebury come from behind to demolish Old Southendian Reserves on a warm sunny day on the outskirts of Southend.
Wakebury had began the season two weeks ago with a 2-1 win at now fellow Cupid outfit Wakering Sports Reserves before they fell to defeat last time out away at Harold Wood Athletic Reserves, also 2-1, meaning they came into this one having netted three and conceded three in their two games so far.
OS had only played the one game so far this campaign, a 3-1 loss at AS Rawreth, and it did not start well for the visitors here too as only a minute and a half into the contest they fell behind after Will Wheeler had got in down the right before squaring to Kateley who produced a skilful flick past the keeper.
OS responded well though and managed to find a leveller in the 17th minute when a poor clearance by the keeper went straight to Jared Brand, and the visiting number nine punished this error to the full by firing a powerful effort into the far corner, and then just two minutes later they had turned the match on it's head when a corner wasn't dealt with by the hosts, and Billy Ransome managed to squeeze the ball over the line at the far post, it had been some response as said.
If truth be told OS probably carved out more opportunities than their opponents did for the remainder of the half, the hosts, who had started so well, were struggling to get their normal free flowing play going, but despite this did have chances of their own too, and four minutes before the break managed to level this contest as a lovely ball from John Hilliard found Kateley in on goal, and although his lob over the keeper came back off the post, Wheeler was on hand to nod the loose ball over the line, and it meant the sides went into the break all square.
OS would have been the happier of the two sides thus far, despite that late leveller in the opening half for the home side, and some strong words were said in that Wakebury dressing room that was for sure, but whatever was said ended up having the desired effect, the the home side played much much better in the second period took control of the contest.
It took them twenty minutes into the second period to find a third goal, which came after the magnificent Kateley produced a wonderful finish into the far corner, but once that goal went in it opened the floodgates as Wakebury quickly added a fourth with twenty minutes to go when Kateley was involved again, laying the ball back into the path of Tommy Pinkerton who produced a superb finish into the top corner.
And it was five in the 85th minute as after Kateley had been brought down inside the box for a penalty, he picked himself up to take the spot kick, and although he saw a fairly average penalty saved, he was alert enough to prod the rebound home and complete his hat-trick, and then in the first minute of stoppage time he added a fourth for himself and a sixth for Wakebury as after Wheeler had burst through down the right and seen an effort come back off the post, Kateley had the simple task of burying the loose ball from close range.
And the Berry Boys still had enough time to make it six second half goals in less than half an hour's play when Mohammed Sesay produced a lovely finish into the bottom corner from outside the box for what was the last kick of the contest, a contest that had seen the hosts completely blow away their opponents in the final half an hour of the match. Wakebury's first half showing had not been great, but they more than made up for that in the second period after some terrific football indeed, and some brilliant finishing too.
It all means that after today's results Wakebury top the table on goal difference although they are the only side to have played three games so far, whereas OS slip to the bottom of the pile , also on goal difference, in an afternoon that started badly for them, got much better before going downhill alarmingly in the second period, that's two defeats from two now for the OS Reserve side.
Full tome Wakebury 7 Old Southendian Reserves 2
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