University of Essex 1s – 2
Southend and Benfleet 1s – 4
(Goals: Kirsty Edmunds 2, Caitlin Meredith 1, Rachael Jeffery 1)

Two clubs faced of this week on a sunny but cold Saturday as Southend and Benfleet 1s travelled away to face the University of Essex’s first team, whilst S&B 2s hosted the university’s seconds! It was an early push back for S&B 1s though and UOE came out strong putting S&B on the defensive in the opening minutes unlike any team has done before. It wasn’t long before the home sides tenaciousness paid off and they managed to tap the ball in from the left post, taking an early lead after two of their goals had been disallowed as they were scored after the whistle had already blown. S&B railed together though and created several chances for themselves whilst defending against UOEs attacks. Soon S&B were rewarded for their efforts as a lifted clearance was brought down in the UOEs defensive D and the ball fell to Kirsty Edmunds who slotted the ball passed the goalie to pull the score level half way through the first half. Each team settled into a quick paced game as they fought to find the next goal the play shot from one end of the pitch to the other with both teams performing strong. It was a while coming but a well placed ball from Caitlin Meredith slipped passed the UOE goalie without opposition taking the score to 2-1 to S&B. UOE came back hard but as they powered a lifted shot that was heading straight for the goal, goalie Lisa Hawkins prevented the home side from levelling before half time with an unbelievable save.

On the restart it was clear that S&B were not comfortable with a shaky 2-1 lead over UOE and sought to increase it, as the break seemed to slow the home side, S&B sped up and attacked brilliantly, with Claire King utilising the back pass to rearrange attacks so captain Nicola Bryant could distribute the ball out to attack again and again until Kirsty Edmunds found herself blasting home her second goal of the game. An unstoppable attack from UOE saw them making the score 3-2 and warning S&B that they weren’t out of this game yet. UOE defended well against hit outs in S&Bs defensive half as they surrounded the ball making it difficult for the defence to get through to the attack, but some great positioning from Rachael Jeffery and Jodie Linge on the wings gave S&B the width they needed to spread the play out and attack from different angles. It wasn’t long before a great run from Kirsty Edmunds drew the goalie towards her before she slipped it to a waiting Rachael Jeffery who knocked it passed the UOE defender without much hassle giving S&B the two goal lead that would continue for the remainder of the game. As the clock ticked down, UOE became more and more frustrated by S&Bs amazing defence, as the S&B goalie made some more superb saves and defender Bex Utton made some brilliant clearances, until one lady was carded and sent off in the last few minutes of the game, forcing UOE to play out the remaining time with only ten players at the worst time imaginable for the home side.

As the final whistle blew the score stood S&B – 4, UOE – 2 at the end of one of the toughest games S&B had played this season. Caitlin Meredith was awarded player of the match for all her effort in midfield this week.