Essex Olympian League Premier Division
SOUTHMINSTER ST LEONARDS 2-3 RAYLEIGH TOWN
King George V Playing Fields, Station Road, Southminster
Admission: free
Programme: £1
Attendance 35 h/c
Food: None
Drink: Diet Coke £1
With my back beginning to mend and the last chance of a new ground before the season end meant I was able to drive the hour to Southminster for this 3rd v 4th early kick off. The weather was dry, sunny and fairly warm when I arrived at the ground. The changing rooms are mobile buildings painted in green and there is a small hatch to serve non-alcoholic drinks both hot and cold. The pitch was in immaculate condition and roped off on all 4 sides. There is no cover. I was not the only groundhopper to catch this match. About 80% of the attendance were also catching a ground fix at seasons end, and I had pleasant conversations with Cliff (Sittingbourne) and Andy (Tooting) during the match.
For Step 7, and a match with nothing but pride at stake, this was a thoroughly entertaining game with skill levels that would not be out of place at higher levels. Rayleigh took the lead after 15 minutes from a corner which was headed in by no5 Hession-Harris. Then around the half hour mark, a goal each within a minute. The first, an attack by Rayleigh found Luke Smith in space just outside the area. He shot from 18 yards into the corner. Southminster got a goal back from the restart when a cross was hit home by the no9 Perry. Just as half time approached a great piece of inter passing by Rayleigh allowed Lewis Manor to slot the ball into the far corner. Southminster raised their game in the 2nd half and the contest was end to end entertainment, with Southminster reducing the arrears through an O'Sullivan goal, but even though further chances by both teams were created, the score remained at 2-3. A good game on an excellent playing surface.
After the match, I dropped by at the nearby Station Arms where a beer festival was in full swing. Met up briefly with Steve Sjj2112 from the TK Forum and spent an hour chatting with "Fletch" before dropping him off near Don Quixote Mansion on the way home.
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