Southend Manor 1 Buckhurst Hill 3
By Anthony Mercer
Buckhurst Hill made it three successive wins in the league to move up to 4th spot in their inaugural Essex Senior League season.
After scoring 13 goals in the previous 2 games, it looked like another afternoon of goal action, as the Stags dominated the first half. Without the services of home keeper Harry Mclie, the score could have been much higher.
Buckhurst Hill flew out of the blocks and Sonny Shilling was denied on 7 minutes. Just 2 minutes later the visitors took the lead when Hassan Nalbant hit home, despite calls for offside.
Mclie was at his best on 16 when he saved well from Nalbant and seconds later from Sam Sollosi. On 20 Ezekiel Badamosi was the next player to be denied by Mclie, saving a rasping shot. Buckhurst Hill laid siege on Southend Manor’s back line and it was a matter of time before another goal was coming. It came on 34 when a deep Sam Sollosi corner was met at the back post by Captain Henry Day, whose bullet header flew home. The dominance of Buckhurst Hill paid off right on half time, when both Hassan Nalbant and Ezeikiel Badamosi both had chances to score, before Nalbant tapped home on the line, after a goalmouth scramble.
Buckhurst Hill started the second half well, with Sollosi striking the post, before the Stags had a succession of corners.
Southend Manor did start to grow into the game and pulled a goal back on 67 with their first chance of the afternoon when Will Antwi finished well. This gave the home side some confidence, as they pushed for another, with Buckhurst Hill finding substitute Alfie Gladwin hard to handle.
Buckhurst Hill did have a good chance on 69 when Badamosi was put through, but his shot went straight at the keeper.
The final action of the game fell to the home side when Gladwin saw his long range effort go just over.
The result leaves Buckhurst Hill on 15 points. The Stags are in action on Tuesday, when they welcome Stansted in the Essex Senior Cup.
Manager Mark Williams commented after the game.3-1 on a difficult pitch and the 3 points were the positives today.
The performance didn’t match the result though. Southend Manor we’re a totally different side to the one we beat 3 weeks ago at home .
They had to bring in a whole new set of players following the manager’s departure earlier this week. Happy with the first half, but disappointed with our 2nd half game management.
Team: Blockley, Foster (Harris 73), Buchanan, Tyrrell, Day, Griggs (Deaney 46), S Sollosi (Halford 69), Dolan, Nalbant, Badamosi and Shilling
Sub unused: Wynter
