Chelmsford 3s – 1
Southend and Benfleet – 2 (Sarah Conway 1, Adele Cole 1)

On a frosty Saturday afternoon, Southend and Benfleet 1s travelled to face Chelmsford 3s for the return match with the bare eleven required to field a full team; despite this and the fact that their first meeting ended in a dissatisfying draw, S&B were determined to come out ahead this time around. As the whistle sounded to begin the match, some early pressure from the home side forced S&B to stay on the defensive for most of the opening of the game. Calm shadowing techniques and well timed tackles from Nicola Coleman that kept Chelmsford from finding their way into the D, whilst Jodie Linge put in yet another strong performance as sweeper clearing away any wayward balls that slipped through. Soon S&B right forward Kirsty Edmunds would battle several counter attacks up the right wing but would be unable to find the back of the goal before Chelmsford were awarded a short corner which would culminate in an early goal for the home side. S&B didn’t panic though and would work tirelessly, communicating with each other to press the ball up the pitch into the Chelmsford half. Hayley Middleton would win the ball and send the ball back into the home sides half but it was late into the half when Ashlie Colman and Sarah Conway threaded the ball up the pitch with quick passes to each other before a diving touch from Conway levelled the score before half time.

In the second half, S&B would take their game up a notch and pressure the Chelmsford defence but after several attempts the score would still be level. Chelmsford became frustrated after captain Rachel Jeffery and vice Nicola Bryant worked seamlessly together to cut their attacks short, time and time again with brilliantly executed tackles. It was late in the game when Linge moved up the field to boaster the S&B attacking strength on long corners and with some precision passing from Caitlin Meredith the ball found its way to Adele Cole, who after a scrappy battle in front of the Chelmsford goal, flicked it home to bag S&B the winning goal. S&B wouldn’t let up and kept possession deep in the home sides half, looking for a extra goal before half time, and whilst Chelmsford made a few counter attacks, even the ones that managed to make it through to have a shot at goal were effortlessly saved by S&B goalie Lisa Hawkins to keep the back of her goal clear until the final whistle.

Player of the match was awarded to Adele Cole for her diligent defending, her fantastic effort in the counter attacks and of course the winning goal.