Groundhoppers...font of truth.Runwell

[coach et 64]

Essex Senior League

Hullbridge Sports 1(1)-(0)0 Southend Manor

Hullbridge Sports & Social Club, Lower Road, Hullbridge, nr Rayleigh, Essex

Attendance: 50-60 h/c

Admission: £5. Didn't purchase programme (these are £1)

 

Also purchased: Chips and Bovril (not together!) £2.30, and from clubhouse pint of Kronenbourg £2.80(?)

 

A few little recent changes since I last came here a couple of months ago (apart from the pitch looking much better than the muddy swamp it was before). A second seated area of 40 seats has been added next to the sheltered standing area, this one nearest the entrance. This is an identical seating area to the construction the other side of the sheltered standing bit. Toilets have also been refurbished inside the clubhouse.

 

This was a local derby between these two sides, with a higher than usual attendance here, including some Manor fans. Southend Manor had all but mathematically lost out on third position after a home defeat on tuesday to rivals Witham. A defeat here would make sure of that. However fourth place was still up for grabs, a point behind Bethnal Green with this game in hand. Hullbridge would still have been smug with glee, having been the side to end Stansted's near season long unbeaten record, and overall just one game short of equalling the all time Essex Senior League unbeaten record of Basildon Utd, set in the late 70s/early 80s. Sports were currently in mid table, nineth in fact, looking to make a late bid to climb a little higher, which would be a fine achievement for a club with basic resources.

 

Most of the action came in the first half, in what was often an ill tempered affair with a few players putting themselves about, not helped by some inconsistent decisions from referee and linesmen. The game began with Hullbridge looking the better side, but Manor were still a threat. The home side went in front though just after the half hour mark, after a delightful shot from the edge of the box that drifted over the helpless Manor keeper, dipping into the net. Southend did come close to equalising before the half was out, with a corner that swung in and almost caught out the keeper, palming it onto the bar, then a delightful curling effort from outside the box to the right, that the Hullbridge keeper managed to push round the post.

Second half, and barely a minute had gone when a shot just outside the box hit the post, denying Manor's latest attempt at an equaliser. Not much else happened after that, with most play in midfield or broken up by stoppages and the like.

 

A good win for Hullbridge which ends Manor's hopes of finishing above Witham in third once and for all. However they've had a good season, and could still grab fourth spot from Bethnal Green.