Southend and Benfleet 1’s travelled to Witham with a strong squad of 13, with Naomi Barker, Kerry Amos, Chloe Brady and Lily King coming up from the 2’s to give us much appreciated subbing options. S&B were keen to start attacking strong, using a high press to force the opposition to make mistakes in their own half. This paid off early in the game, with Georgia Middleton getting herself into the perfect position on the left post to get her stick on the end of a rebound and lift the ball calmly into the back of the net. 1-0 up and S&B were feeling good. The first half continued with some brilliant passing play. The defence were challenged a few times, but Player of the Match, Hattie Bowden, kept the attacks at bay, as well as pushing up to help with the attacking play. Eventually though, Witham broke through in open play, equalising the score to 1-1. S&B continued to work hard, but Witham scored again from open play just before the half time whistle, bringing the half time score to 2-1.

S&B remained positive and continued to attack, with brilliant play from Naomi Barker and Caitlin Meredith down the right-hand side. S&B earned a few short corners, finally levelling the game again from one with a strong strike from Naomi Barker. With the game again level at 2-2. Witham continued to attack, scoring again from a short corner. With 10 minutes to go, S&B did not give up, knowing that they deserved to get something from the game. Naomi Barker made a brilliant run through 3 defenders to the top of the D, and struck the ball perfectly, lifting it past the keeper and into the top netting and again levelling the score. Both teams continued to attack, each after the full 3 points, but some close chances were not able to be converted this time. Final score 3-3, and some positive play to take into the next game.
Player of the Match: Hattie Bowden