First League Defeat Of Season

'Side who went into the match, having only dropped two points all season, were made to work hard against a spirited Benfleet side, whom they had beaten on Monday in Thurlow Nunn League First Division Knockout Cup action. They looked set to go into half-time level. However a James Brown strike ensured Stuart Batch's hosts went into the break 1-0 up.

Manager Steven Le Sage though would have been delighted with the response his side made, as within 13 minutes of the restart, his side were level. Muyiwa Osenie levelling the scores with a nice finish, with his third goal of the season.

Eight minutes after equalising, 'Side took the lead and it was that man Osenie again who scored. After that, the game appeared to be out of reach for Benfleet until a frantic finale to the game began to unravel.

First goalkeeper Ryan Karrer was booked on 80 minutes, before 'Side's veteran was sent off on 84 minutes. 'Side couldn't quite hang on with Taylor Lawrence levelling the scores on 90 minutes, before cruelly Ben Foord won the game for the hosts in the fourth minute of injury time.

The defeat left 'Side fifth in the table. They are next in action on Monday when they host Isthmian outfit Basildon United at Cricklefields in the Essex Thames-Side Trophy. Kick-off at Cricklefields is at 7:45pm. 'Side are next in league action, away to Coggeshall United on Saturday 19th October. Kick-off for that match at West Street is at 3pm.

'Side: Ryan Karrer, Shaquel Foyewa, Berkcan Belindir, Jonathan Ogunsanya, Alex Black, Archie Hammond, Dan Jones, Francesco Balestrini (Joe Strange), Joe Gent (Olajide Yusuff), Joe Oates, Muyiwa Osenie (Ben Clarke)

Sub Not Used: Jacob Dingli