Wapping 3s – 1
Southend and Benfleet 1s – 4 (Sarah Conway 1, Ashlie Colman 1, Nicola Bryant 1, Ellen Taylor 1)

Southend and Benfleet 1s travelled to face off against Wapping 3s this week on a chilly November morning. The Londoners hounded S&B from the start and the pressure on the S&B defence never seemed to let up, only some great defending from sweeper Jodie Linge throughout the game kept the back of the goal empty and the score line level. As Wapping swarmed the ball on S&B hit outs, Nicola Coleman found the space on the left to give the seasiders a chance to filter the ball out of their own half. Midway through the first half, breakaways from Kirsty Edmunds became more frequent and some well timed tackles from Hayley Middleton, along with tight marking from centre midfield Nicola Bryant would be pivotal in keeping the ball firmly in the Wapping half but despite S&B seemingly controlling more of the possession the score remained 0-0 at the break with neither team able to make it onto the scoreboard.

The second half saw a change in formation as S&B bolstered midfield with Ellen Taylor making her debut for the seasiders. The four-strong midfield made all the difference as S&B started to dominate the game and it wasn’t long before S&B were awarded a short corner which Sarah Conway smashed home to break the stalemate and open the floodgates. S&B were invigorated by the first goal and the new found strength in the midfield and it wasn’t long before another short corner saw Ashlie Colman jump onto the score sheet. Wapping seemed to panic and would try to push forward from the restarts after each goal but with captain Rachel Jeffery wise to such tricks, and the weak attacks were cut short for Caitlin Meredith to sprint up the right wing and soon S&B were awarded a third short corner which was this time converted by Bryant on the post to take the score to 3-0. Some great saves from S&B goalie kept the desperate Wapping attackers at bay before Taylor scored S&Bs forth goal from yet another short corner in an amazing display from the newcomer. Before full time a powerful strike from a Wapping attacker gave the home side a consolation goal. After a troubling first half it was a resounding victory for S&B, with player of the match being awarded to captain Rachel Jeffery. Next week sees S&B 1s travel away for the return match against Chelmsford 3s who currently sit a mere three points below the seasiders, and who have always challenged S&B whenever they have faced off.