The U13’s finished their season on a winning note collecting 25 points from a possible 60 and likely to finish 7th out of 11 (if Ongar fail to collect four points from two games against top opposition). The team dominated proceedings throughout the game but were never comfortable after they beat the Stanford goal-keeper with a nailed-on penalty which Jamie smashed into the net off the underside of the bar. The pressure was on as the Stanford goalkeeper is also keeps goal for Westcliff so Jamie and the boys were well aware of his shot stopping ability. The boys played a solid if unspectacular game which was hardly surprising given the injury list. Jack Matthews failed a late fitness test while Safe-Hans was on crutches leaving our other Jack to sit in between the posts. For 99 per cent of the game he had little to do but when called upon he produced a finger-tip save to prevent a Stanford equaliser. Congratulations to all the players for a solid season.

In their final match Stones recorded their first win of the season over a depleted Perry Street. Makeshift striker Liam Goodwin had a good opportunity to open the scoring for the home side on the half hour mark before Mason Smithers did put Perry Street ahead. The home side lost a player at the start of the second half and with no subs available played on with ten men. This allowed the visitors back into the game and they capitalised with an equaliser. Perry Street then lost Phil Church to a knee injury and the tiring side could do nothing to prevent Stones scoring a second and winning goal.

Vital promotion points were up for grabs in this match and both teams were evenly matched until Brentwood took the lead in the twentieth minute. Inexplicably with everything to play for several Perry Street players started messing about resulting in the manager removing the two main culprits from the match. In a new formation left back come striker Liam Goodwin had a couple of excellent shots on goal while ‘keeper David Bradbrook produced some excellent saves but could not prevent the Pumas scoring two cracking goals. In the dying minutes of the game centre back Josh Joyce was fouled in the area and converted the spot kick to give the visitors a consolation goal.

Perry Street faced table topping Cougars for a second straight match, knowing that last week’s victory counted for little as the opposition were unlikely to take Perry Street as lightly as they had in the last game. The match started off at a very high tempo producing two goals in the first five minutes, with Jamie bundling in a quick equalizer as the goal-keeper failed to deal with a through ball. In a hard fought first half, Cougars had the edge and seemed on the way to victory when they hit a third goal just before half-time. However, manager Howard Knight rallied his team and switched Jack back to his familiar left side to increase the attacking impetus. The ploy paid dividends as James finished off an attacking move to bring the boys back into the match. Unfortunately, as Perry Street pushed for the equalizer, they got hit on the break, and Cougars No8 slide the ball past the onrushing Safe-hands. During the final minutes, the loss of the effervescent Matthew began to tell as Perry Street began to tire. The team put in a creditable all-round performance which bodes well for the two remaining fixtures. Congratulations to Ed the Head, for a magnificent display at centre back… closely followed by Tommy and Mitch who continued to drive the team forward from start to end.

Having lost heavily to mid-table rivals Brentwood, Perry Street should have faced a trip to table-topping Cougars with trepidation. Manager Howard Wright decided to change things around swapping to a 4-4-2 formation with Captain Tommy at the heart of the defence alongside Eddie May. Stalwart central defender Alex moved to left back freeing Jack to play on the left side of midfield and Matthew to switch to the right. Mitchell and James took up the central midfield positions with Jamie as the attacking spearhead and Gossy dropping in the hole and acting as the first line of defence. Cougars pitch is heavily sloped, but manager Wright was aware of this as we had played a pre-season friendly. The back four dropped deeper than normal so any overhead balls would run straight onto Safe Hands Sans. The first half started as expected with Cougars looking to take advantage of the slope. However the defence bolstered by a solid midfield four sitting right in front of them kept the opposition frustrated. Tommy made a number of crucial tackles one saving an almost certain goal while James intercepted several through-balls put in behind Chris Rhodes at right-back (some great headers today Chris… well done). Jack and Matt were a constant menace –they totally outworked their midfield opponents which meant the defence was solid but that they were a constant threat on the break. On one occasion Jack beat the opposition midfielder and full back to create mayhem in the Cougars defence, however racing toward goal he took the ball too far when a pass to Jamie was the right option – practice makes perfect Jack – everybody can see your potential. Suddenly, Perry Street’s counter attacking style paid dividends Jamie raced on to a cross ball which he got through to Gossy who did not hesitate in putting the away team ahead. The remained of the first half continued in a similar vein with Perry Street soaking up pressure and hitting on the counter. Jack’s and Matthew stretched pulled the opposition left and right back wide , while Jamie’s non-stop running constantly troubled the centre backs creating holes for Mitchell to surge into. Against the run of play, Cougars send a hopeful long ball down the hill, and their centre forward managed to get in front of Alex to hit the equaliser. However, Perry Street knew they had the advantage in the second half. Dan came on for Gossy and Charlie came on at right back for Chris. Almost instantly, Dan got on the end of a couple of through balls but was unable to make the opposition pay. Jack and Mat now running downhill both created mayhem beating the opposition on numerous occasions while Jamie’s intelligent running constantly stretched the opposition – who themselves were now restricted to attacking on the counter. However, Perry Street’s constant running was leaving room for Mitchell who took full advantage and surged forward in the knowledge that James was intelligently dropping in front of the front four. The pressure told as Mitch hit a well struck shot from outside the box which rocketed passed the goalkeeper. Five minutes later it was three one – again Mitch took full advantage of the space created by the runners in front of him to hit another shot from outside the box – this one over the top of the despairing goalkeeper. At the other end, Cougars continued to press, a rare slip from our Kung Fu defender – no Heady Eddie saw the Cougars striker in on goal only for Safe Hands to pull off and excellent save. Cougars managed to take advantage of another defensive slip, which Safe Hands parried, but this time Alex was there to clear the ball from danger. Dan LC came off for Dan C and did plenty of good work with his back to goal. Suddenly the game was all over, some solid work from Jack on the left yet again put Mitchell in space and whack – another hit over the goalkeeper from outside the box to make his hat-trick. The final goal, came down the right. Matthew slipping Jamie in who looked up and cut the ball back for the onrushing Mitchell – the best goal of the lot!!! With a few minutes left Jack came off to a round of applause to be replaced by Dan C who certainly had his most effective game of the season.

So a week after their poorest performance, Perry Street crushed top of the table Cougars. All the players did exceptionally well. The midfield four were tireless while Tommy was the key to the overall result – back to his imperious best with a rock solid role at the heart of defence. From that position his persistent encouragement carried all the greater resonance. Thanks to Eddie for also sitting in the middle… between them they laid the foundations for the teams success. Alex had a great game at left-back nullifying the Cougars best player – relaxed in the knowledge that Jack was there to cover. Chris and Charlie played their part – Charlie, snuffing out the previously dangerous number eight. Safe Hands is back to his best….!!!! his clearance outside from the box was another example of how he is rapidly returning to the top of the tree. Special mention to Mitch for his four goal haul – a deserved man of the match, but it was James’s diligent work that gave Mitch the freedom which he took full advantage of. Great running from Jamie throughout – deserved a goal but will have to make do with two assists. Well done to both Dan’s who probably put in their best performances of the season. Dan C made 4-4-2 look more like 4-4-1-1with a strong running display. This gives the coaches food for thought and well done to Gossy for the crucial first goal hope you are feeling better soon!!!