Southend 2s - 0
Southend and Benfleet – 5 (Nicola Bryant 2, Naomi Barker 1, Claire King 2)

The last match of the season this week saw local rivals face off, as Southend and Benfleet 1s faced Southend 2s at home. The two team’s previous encounter was a fraught one that ended with in a 2-2 draw on the match day; only for Southend to be stripped of the one point later on as they fielded an eligible player, despite this the visitors seemed relaxed and confident as they squared up to the league leaders.

To begin Southend’s confidence seemed well founded as in the opening minutes of the game they pressured the S&B defence and were awarded with several short corners; however, some frantic but solid defending from Jodie Linge and Nicola Coleman kept the ball away from the home sides goal until S&B found their footing, regained their composure and turned the pressure on Southend. It was a long time coming but after some timely sprints from Caitlin Meredith and constant assaults on the Southend goal S&B were awarded several short corners, the last of which saw the ball slipped to captain Nicola Bryant who slotted home for the first goal of the match from her favourite spot on the left post. Southend mounted plenty of counter attacks but they were soon closed down by player off the match Nina Dabbs. Adele Cole and Claire King teamed up to feed the ball up the left wing and give S&B several more attempts at the visitors goal but it wasn’t until the whistle sounded for half time and S&B were awarded another short corner, that Naomi Barker managed to power the ball into the corner of the goal and take the score to 2-0 at the break.

Southend seemed to lose momentum as play resumed and S&B pounced on the opportunity. It wasn’t long before another short corner was awarded to the home side and Bryant was once more on the left post and claimed a second goal bringing the score to 3-0. Barker and King dominated the Southend defence and soon, yet another short corner was awarded to S&B, this time a perfectly placed ball from King bagged her the fourth goal for S&B. Southend attacks would come quickly as they blasted the ball from their defence on hit outs and their midfield would carry the ball forward but their attacks were short lived as Hayley Middleton and Rachel Jeffery closed down the Southend attackers quickly and tackle promptly effectively stopping them in their tracks, whilst any stray balls that trickled through were mopped up easily by the ever diligent, Bex Utton and kept away from the S&B D. King managed to capitalise on a rebound to bag herself a second goal and take the score to 5-0. Some nice passing from Southend allowed them several attacks on the S&B goal in the last few plays of the game but a comfortable save from goalie Lisa Hawkins kept Southend from a consolation goal and her clean slate intact as the game ended it was S&B 5, Southend 0.

S&B are now officially the Undefeated Division One Champions and are set to be promoted to the Premier League next season.