Crostyx 1 Southend 2

After a disappointing draw against St Albans last week Crostyx ladies 1st XI were hoping for a better result against old rivals Southend. With some key players missing the team knew they would have to work hard against a well drilled Southend side.

The home side started well enjoying the majority of the possession and passing the ball at pace, using the full width of the pitch to stretch the visitors. The early stages of the game saw a more focused Crostyx side than in previous weeks with far less stray passes going to the opposition.

Southend absorbed the pressure but were clearly uncomfortable with the speed and frequency of the Crostyx attacks. On one occasion Jo Ward released Sarah Belsham early down the right wing just outside the 25. The Southend defense was caught off guard and Belsham was able to attack the D but with only the keeper to beat she could only manage to push the ball wide.

Despite having the upper hand Crostyx were not able to convert any chances in the first half and unusually for them they only won one short corner. The deadlock had not been broken when they went in at the break.

The second half saw more of the same with Crostyx continuing to press. The central midfielders, Donna Blockley and Laura Beaton, pushed forwards creating good support for the forwards and opening up the pitch with some well executed passes.

The home side was duly rewarded with a short corner 15 minutes into the half. The ball was slipped back to Donna Blockley at the left post who fired the ball into the net to give them the lead.

This should have been enough to give Crostyx the momentum to press on and kill the game but their efforts were thwarted and with 10 minutes remaining tiredness began to creep in.

Southend never gave up and with some fierce instructions from their coach on the side line they began to up their game. Despite some solid defending from Kate Henley, Vicki Berrill and Lisa Dennett Crostyx were unable to hold them off and they were rewarded with an equalizer when one of the Southend forwards was first to a loose ball in the D.

Unfortunately Crostyx were unable to lift themselves for the remaining 5 minutes of the game and to make matters worse Southend capitalized on the situation, scoring the winner with 2 minutes to go.

Yet another disappointment for Crostyx who remain 4th in the league with 2 games in hand. They are not out of promotion race yet but they must take 3 points from their visit to Sudbury on Saturday if they are to remain in with a chance.