Match 43. Newham United v Old Southendian

Saturday 10th May 2014 @2.30pm

Essex Olympian League Senior Division One

NEWHAM UNITED 6-1 OLD SOUTHENDIAN

Cave Road, Newham

 

Admission: free

Programme: N/A

Attendance: 41 h/c

Refreshments: N/A

A fairly local game for me, through the Blackwall Tunnel and A13, parking in Cave Road as the club car park was full. Inside the entrance is a caged AstroTurf 5-a-side pitch next to the fairly new looking club building including 4 changing rooms. There was a front reception but no refreshments on offer. There are 2 pitches but only the main one was marked out, with railing around 3 sides and roped on the fourth. Hard standing is available on one touchline and 2 park benches double up as dugouts although the away side decided to base themselves on the open touchline.

The match kicked off 7 minutes early and by 2.30 started raining quite hard which continued until half time.  Newham needed a point to win the title but although having more possession, couldn’t click in the final third. After 25 minutes a 25 yard shot from the visitors’ no15 hit the back of the net after flying through the goalkeeper’s hands.  The home side had their best chance of the half after 30 minutes when a shot was parried by the keeper, the first rebound was stopped by the defenders legs and the third effort headed off the line.

Newham came out invigorated in the second half and shone, like the arriving sunshine.  After 55 minutes they drew level.  A free kick allowed no9 to run down the left wing and cut inside, crossing along the by-line and no5 slid in on the back post to tap in.  The next attack ended with a goal disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.  The 2^nd goal was on the hour when no9 went of a mazy run inside the box and released no8 who backheeled into the net.  On 68 minutes a third goal ended hopes of an away win when no11 blasted the penalty straight down the middle and in off the crossbar, followed 2 minutes later by another goal when no11 passed to no9 in the area who deftly struck the ball into the top corner.  No9 added his second when receiving a cross from the right, cutting inside and blasting into the net.  The final goal arrived 5 minutes before the end when no4 weaves into the area passing 3 defenders before looping the ball into the corner.

Newham win the title by 2 points and promotion to the Premier Division.