2s beat Brentwood

Brentwood 4th XI - 2
Southend & Benfleet 2nd XI - 4 (Isabelle Williams - 2, Anna Winfield, Claire King)

S&B arrived at a very chilly Brentwood for a late afternoon game, keen to try and beat the team that they always struggle against. It did not get off to a great start when Brentwood got an early goal. But this seemed to spur the visitors on and soon afterwards they equalised with a classy goal from Isabelle Williams who, after getting round the last defender, took on the keeper and calmly slotted the ball away. Brentwood, always dangerous on the attack, got another one back a regained the lead. But S&B were not giving up and after piling on the pressure, the hard work paid off when Jo Hall slipped the ball through to Anna Winfield in the D, who equalised. More chances followed with the hosts managing to deal with everything S&B threw at them until Claire King struck from the left post, giving S&B a 3-2 lead going into the break.

More of the same followed in the second half. S&B dominated but Brentwood had a few breaks that could have been dangerous had they not been dealt with by the visiting defence: Hayley Middleton dropped back from her usual midfield position and made some crucial tackles; Anne Johnson ran the ball out of danger on numerous occasions; and Nicola Coleman cleared anything that came her way. Joint play of the match went to midfielders Louise Marsack and Kerry Payton who both kept the energy up, despite having just the bare eleven in the team, while Brentwood rotated their subs on and off with fresh legs. Both teams were desperate for the winning goal but it was S&B that were rewarded when Winfield drew the keeper out and then selflessly slipped the ball to Williams who completed her brace.

The win sees the 2s up to fourth.