Southend and Benfleet
1s – 7 (Kirsty Edmunds 4, Naomi Barker 2, Rachael Jeffery 1)
Witham – 2

This week saw the long awaited return match for Southend and Benfleet 1s as they hosted Witham, the only team these season S&B haven’t beaten, as their first meeting ended in a close 2-2 draw. S&B were wary and swarmed Witham from the first whistle; quick and effective tackles from captain Nicola Bryant gave S&B possession of the ball within seconds of the Witham pushback, possession that S&B hoarded for the large majority of the first half. Superb passing between Kirsty Edmunds and Naomi Barker was the catalyst that allowed for S&B to jump onto the scoreboard as Kirsty Edmunds begun
her climb up the top goal scorers table and bagged S&B the first goal of the game. The goals came streaming in for S&B, as not minutes after their first; Naomi Barker powered home a shot from the top of the D that the goalie was
powerless to stop, and soon followed up with a second goal from a deflection off the goalie’s pads, taking the score to 3-0 early in the second half. Great communication from S&B tore the Witham defence apart Nina Dabbs and Hayley Middleton’s calling and movement on Long Corners proved vital in the continuous onslaught of the away team’s defensive D. Caitlin Meredith blew past Witham players who couldn’t keep up and with some decisive passes the ball found its way to Edmunds, for her to run circles around Witham time and time again, until she managed to score not once or twice, but three more times before half time was called making the score line 6-0 at the break.

On the restart it was clear that S&B were confident of their victory despite Witham launching several assaults. S&B’s communication decreased as time ticked on and they settled into the second half; S&B continued to attack when the opportunity arose but weren’t able to find the back of the goal, whilst Witham struggled to find a way through as some great defending from Jodie Linge and Nicola Coleman kept both wings well defended and Bex Utton bolstered the back line sweeping away any stray balls that came trickling through the S&B defence. It took a while but a quick break from Witham saw them make their way into the S&B D and score their first goal making the score 6-1. S&B weren’t fazed though and despite Witham’s continuous attacks goalie Lisa Hawkins made some comfortable saves. S&B soon saw themselves back in the away side’s D with Rachael Jeffery tapping the ball in on the left post to snag her first goal of the season and S&B’s seventh. Witham weren’t perturbed though and kept going, soon making their way into the home team’s D once more this time grabbing a second consolation goal before full time was called. The score of this rematch ending: S&B – 7, Witham – 2.

Player of the match was awarded to Kirsty Edmunds for the second week in a row as she climbed the top goal scores table to sit joint third, a mere two goals away from second place and only five goals away from the top spot.