I'm not quite sure why Old Southendians 3s only have 3 points in the league table. They were a strong team who gave us quite a battle and who were not at all flummoxed by the bounciness of our new pitch 1.

We started the game at nearer 5pm than 4, due to earlier delays, by which time the low sun made it difficult for both sides to spot passes and mark players. Nevertheless, a fast and furious battle soon got underway. At times we piled on the pressure around their D and at others we came under similar pressure at our defending end, so generally we were well matched.

OS were extremely good at stopping hard hit balls, even when they were lifted off the ground, which meant that many of our attempts at long balls forward were blocked. They also had some very fast forwards who gave our defence little time on the ball. Given the fact that we had passed up 5 of our speedy youngsters to help out the depleted W3s this week, so had a higher proportion of adult players than usual, we did well to absorb the OS attacks. We obviously have strength in depth :)

Our first goal came as a result of trying out our "number 4" short corner routine. I'm not sure it went entirely as planned but it did confuse the opposition and allowed Rachel to execute a nice reverse stick flick from left of goal. A bend it like Beckham moment as the ball seemed to cross the line in mid air and then hit the side post and pop out again. Luckily, eagle-eyed umpire Simon was placed at the perfect angle to spot the "bend" and award the goal.

So, we came off at half-time 1-0 up and went back on resolving to work around the oppo, rather than trying to play through them.

Our second goal came from an amazing weaving run down the left flank by Jemimah. She dodged around a number of players, both down the side of the pitch and also inside the D, to pop in another of her close-range taps. Quite the solo effort, which was just as well, since the speed of her run meant she was ahead of other support. We all enjoyed watching it though :)

The oppo's only goal came quite near the end of the game, but I'm not quite sure how it played out as I didn't have a good view of it. Given the pressure they put on us around our D during parts of the second half, I think they probably deserved a goal. It did get quite feisty towards the end.

With 5 votes, Jemimah came a close second for Man of the Match, but just pipping her to the post was Madiha, with some silky defensive work, in her first game for the club. Well done both.

DoD has to be a tie between Nicky, for her green card-earning, very close encounter with an OS forward, and Susy H, who muttered to me as she came off the pitch "So frustrating, we could have won that."

Well done again everyone. I think that was a good battle won.
Jane