After a lengthy three week break, we were looking forward to the next episode with the Old Southendians considering our last encounter’s result was a 3-1 victory for the Reds. Entering the match with high hopes to come away with victory, we were less than pleased with Ian’s work after informing us of the incorrect address, only 25% of the vehicles on the trip had a form of navigation, so we had to follow each other in a convoy. After being separated by a red light, we waited in anticipation that the group would arrive on time. Thankfully they did and we were able to get on the pitch just in time for the start off the match. The quality of the pitch was abysmal; piles of sand and worn out patches of astro-turf resulted in a tricky first half. The match started with an equal share of possession on both sides. However the Old Southendians were able to control the first half and had many opportunities to score however thanks to the rock-solid work by the defence, we were able to halt any attack within its dastardly tracks. This does go without saying we did have our fair share of opportunities despite all of the balls being too quick for the rooted strikers to chase.
After a fierier than usual team talk from Merv, we went back on the pitch to strut our stuff like a flock of flamingos in Rio (good film too). We completely controlled the half from start to finish. Controlling the ball and some simple passing between Parvin and Nigel. The pinnacle point of the game came after Ivan exploited a gap in their defences. Nigel took the ball and it went out for a short corner. Nigel fed the ball in and Merv returned the ball only for Nigel to do the unthinkable; a lofted reverse flick into the corner of the goal.
One-nil to the Reds.
Pleased that we were winning… again, we continued to keep possession of the ball until the dying moments of the game. They did have the odd counter-attack but there were many opportunities to score goals in the second half but other than Nigel’s audacious goal, the game was relatively quiet. The match should’ve ended 3-0 if Courtney had been able to put a little bit more power into the shot and if Parvin’s flick had been to the right by a further 3 inches. But if the powers of good give us a victory, who are we to deny them? In a post match interview, Merv; manager for the Academy said ‘ That was a brilliant game guys, you kept the ball you didn’t panic and you looked for the simple passes and if we can play like that each week, then who knows where we can go.’
After that game, the Reds remain 3rd however Witham have to games in hand so we will need to try. Our next game is at home against Waltham Forest 4.