Southend & Benfleet: 2 (Kirsty Edmunds and Nicola Bryant)
Canterbury 2nd XI: 1

Languishing at the bottom of the table, Southend & Benfleet 1st XI hosted second-placed Canterbury 2s at the weekend. In the first half the home side played a defensive game with Adèle Cole dropping into defence alongside Nina Dabbs, Jodie Linge and Kendall Colman. Canterbury were playing an attacking high game but S&B held them off until half time 0-0. Southend & Benfleet switched tactics for the second half, deciding to go all out for a much needed win. They were quickly rewarded 10 minutes into the second half with a penalty corner. The ball was struck from the top of the D and skipper Kirsty Edmunds got her stick to the ball to deflect it in on the right post. Buoyed by the goal a second followed swiftly after. Ashlie Bolton struck a penalty corner from the top of the D which was saved by the Canterbury goalkeeper. Finding the ball at her feet, Nicola Bryant used a reverse-stick flick to send the ball flying into the top right corner. The atmosphere was tense as Southend & Benfleet tried to hold onto their lead. Caitlin Meredith and Chloe Harris were tireless in midfield. Canterbury scored 5 minutes from the end but it was too little too late and Southend & Benfleet were elated to take the win which sees them now at a more comfortable position fourth from bottom. Captain Kirsty Edmunds said "In my mind Canterbury are the best team in this division. If we can beat them, we can beat anyone!"