The Scoreline Doesn’t Reflect The Match

The Seasiders hosted the ‘Top of the League’ outfit, Old Loughts, at The Sweyne Stadium in today’s lunchtime thriller.

A youthful and sprightly OL side dominated early play and looked like they were going give The Mighty Spartans a good hiding.
They would have done so had it not been for a solid performance from centre back Adam Lloyd, who made so many crucial and crunching tackles to thwart the visitors on each of their forays.

Supported by McPhee at right back and Allen at left back, the trio kept the African Violet and White team at bay for thirty minutes of the first half.
Goal minder, Hallett, made a string of sensational saves to frustrate the league leaders.

Two goals in as many minutes at the end of the first period made the game look uneven; there was no recognition of the dynamic midfield play from Shute, Bisgrove and Birchall that kept Southend knocking on the Loughts door.

In the second period Watson joined the party, along with fans favourite of yesteryear Phil Leggett. The two combined down the left flank and their link play led to Walsh picking out the excellent run of, man of the match Isaac Williams, who had his initial shot saved by the outstanding Loughts keeper, before coolly following up to flick the loose ball over him to score a superb goal.

1-2!

Williams made dozens of off the ball runs and played superbly up front; so much so that Walsh, who is an expert hockey scout, said that Williams is a far better player than his old favourite Ezio Pepper at the same age - a high accolade from the ex superstar!

Williams is not pictured here, just in case some pervert tries to chat him up in the park.

Fordham also had a splendid game, keeping his composure against some burly opponents and holding his ground well.
He regaled the team with his exploits in the bar afterwards. He was joined by his mum, pictured here, but sadly she got cornered by Russ, which didn’t go unnoticed by his fellow defenders!

Sinha made some penetrative runs into the spaces created by Williams’s movement and gave Loughts something to think about down the right.

Sadly, with five minutes to go, OL found two goals to make the shoreline look very different to the match.

A good game of enjoyable hockey all round.

Next week we travel into bandit country - Old Boys, where we will thrash them and then drink all of their beer!