Happy New Year - Not!

Southend 3rd X1 1 Chelmsford 2

The Seasiders started the brightest with total domination down the right flank from Allen at the back, through the remarkable Richardson at right half, who made penetrative pass after penetrative pass, to Playfair who tied the Chelmsford defence in knots.

One such move saw man of the match Richardson thread a pinpoint ball to Playfair, who beat three defenders and squared the ball to an unmarked Walsh on the P spot; Walsh struck the ball well, only to see the young Chelmsford keeper make a sensational save with his right foot.
The Blue Army, in front of a capacity home crowd, continued to dominate and when Parker hit the post, the fans thought they were in for a goal fest.

Then stand in skipper for the day, McPhee, shuffled the pack!

Allen and Playfair were subbed off and Richardson was moved to right back - Chelmsford began to get a foot hold in the game.

No disrespect to the substitutes, all of them are superb players, but the reshuffle had a similar effect to cutting off your cock and balls and going in on your wedding night armed with French ticklers!

Chelmsford took the lead on their first meaningful attack after the rigid and loan striker beat Danbrook on the near post.
Moore and Bell kept out wave after wave of Chelmsford attacks looking like they were fending off wasps.

Shute took control in the centre of the park in the second period and with support from Lester began to get The Cockle Boys back in it.
McPhee worked through his pain to keep the team going and youngsters Rispin and Fordham niggled away at the very adult Chelmsford outfit.

Walsh scored from a deserved short corner after a period of better play from the home side before Chelmsford had a purple patch of their own.
After four consecutive short corners, a goal bound shot found Allen’s foot and the resulting penalty flick, which trickled over the line, gave the visitors their first win of the season.

A trip to top of the table Braintree next week doesn’t look too appealing to Southend’s premier outfit!

The expectant Southend faithful on the terraces look confused and down mouthed after the final whistle blew - the players all clubbed together to give them their money back.