Southend Manor 3-1 Hoddesdon Town

Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One South

Southend Manor 3 (2) Hoddesdon Town 1 (0)
(Laughton 83’)

After winning three games in the space of eight days, the Lilywhites found themselves frustrated in their pursuit of a fourth in eleven.

They were up against a Southend Manor side needing three points to avoid relegation. Understandably, they gave a determined performance and after taking a two-goal lead around the half-hour mark they withstood sustained pressure from the Lilywhites to come out victorious.

The hosts began the game better than the Lilywhites but once it settled down it was the Lilywhites who took over and came closest to taking the lead. Dion Laughton had a good opportunity to score in the 17th minute but his fierce shot from 15 yards was finger-tipped onto a post by the home keeper.

Two minutes later a good build up between George Rankin and Bailey Eden ended with a cross to the far post from the latter that found Conor Casey but his headed attempt was saved by the keeper.

The hosts were then reduced to ten men when one of their players were sin-binned in the 21st minute and, while he was off the field, Conor Casey had a golden chance to score following a good move between Syd Barker and George Rankin, but he fired over the bar from close range.

It was to prove a turning point as the hosts scored twice in the 30th and 35th minutes. Both goals were a result of slack defending, totally against the run of play, and took a lot of steam out of the Lilywhites for the remainder of the half.

The second half saw the Lilywhites step up the level of their play and they totally dominated possession to such an extent that the hosts were barely able to cross the half-way line. They defended stoutly, though, and took full advantage of a break out of their half in the 74th minute and add a third goal and virtually seal the result.

The Lilywhites, however, continued to chase a comeback and raised their hopes when they pulled a goal back through Dion Laughton when he tapped home from close range following a shot from Billy Skinner being partially saved.

Lilywhites skipper, Jack Gibbs was then sent off in added-time following an altercation with an opponent – who was also dismissed – but there was still time for the Lilywhites to strike a post, following a Connor Bolton free-kick.

Given the Lilywhites’ struggle to take their chances, this was a result that was probably inevitable at some stage.

Man-of-the Match: George Rankin

Team: Ethan Gannon, Syd Barker (Billy Skinner 53’), Hadley Richards (Brad O’Mara 63’), Jimmy Agnew, Jack Gibbs, Bailey Eden, Arnis Lala (Aiden Critchley 46’), Blue Gallagher, Dion Laughton, George Rankin & Conor Casey (Callum Bennison 46’).

Unused subs: None.