Date

04/12/05

Southend Manor Youth B

2

V

2

U11 White

This match was always going to be a pivotal match this season, but as the match drew closer a squad of 17 was left with 12 on the day, and at the start not too much optimism could be found on the sideline.

The match started in predictable fashion with Southend taking control, but final opportunities from them seemed few and far between. Slowly Forest began to match the play and a belief in the players began to grow. As with so many of recent games, against the run of play a break from Southend brought the first goal after 22 minutes of end-to-end stuff.

Forest dug deep and continued to have more of the play with a number of goal mouth scrambles that could have had Forest three up at half time but the ball failed to fall kindly for Tom, Harry or any of the midfield.

The second half started briskly but a ball in the face for Robert called for an unscheduled substitution with Alex H coming on to replace him. Five more minutes of Forest pressure had Harry bearing down on the goal keeper and defender, a blocked ball had Alex following up for a coolly taken finish to put Forest back in the match.

More pressure and five minutes later Robert found the back of the net from the eighteen yard box with a looping volley over the head of two defenders and the goalkeeper.

From that moment it looked certain that Forest would secure the result, but fate had a hand to play, the half was dogged by stoppages, frequent requests for a time check from the Ref seemed inconclusive as the half seemed never ending.

A goal kick and James was away down the wing for another attack on goal, but the whistle sounded. The goal kick was taken again, this time it came off a Forest player for a throw in. Taken quickly a chip shot towards the goal had the ball float over everyone and into the goal. The whistle sounded for the end of the game.

MoM: Alex Williams, Alex Harrison

Team:

Alex Williams

Liam Andrews

Reece Woolmore

Daniel Spellward

Mathew Burchett

Jamie Chapman

Alex Bourner

James Hooper

Thomas Like

Harry Cornell

Robert Scott

Alex Harrison