This week saw Southend and Benfleet 1s face Phoenix at home. Right from the first whistle it was obvious that it was going to be a fast paced game as whilst S&B had great possession in the away teams half, Phoenix were quick to pounce on the breakaway. S&Bs defence rallied together and with great skill and communication they were able to fend off the Phoenix attacks. After the collapse of one such attack Hayley Middleton slotted a perfect pass up the centre of the pitch to the Kirsty Durban who ran circles around the defence until she slipped the ball into the corner of the Phoenix goal. Phoenix fought back with vigour but great tackles and shadowing from Rachel Jeffrey and Nina Dabbs meant that it was all for naught as the score at half time remained 1-0.

As the second half begun Phoenix made it clear they weren’t going down without a fight as a large amount of the possession was in the home sides half. But S&B clung to the 1-0 lead, defending brilliantly until Phoenix made the mistakes. Clever positioning from Adele Cole and Jodie Linge allowed S&B to mount counter attacks with Claire King pressuring the Phoenix defence, but unfortunately S&B weren’t able to find that second goal.

The final minutes of the game were tense as Phoenix were awarded several short corners in succession but whilst Phoenix were desperate for that equaliser each time amazing defensive work from Nicola Coleman and player of the match goalie, Lisa Hawkins, meant that the shots on the S&B goal were deflected or sent sailing off the back line keeping the score S&B – 1, Phoenix – 0 as the final whistle blew.