Passing football was very difficult for both sides in a congested midfield and it wasn’t until the ten minute mark that Scott Crouch had a couple of chances to open the scoring for Perry Street. Robbie Purkiss did however get on the score sheet for the home side but soon after a Comets player was fouled in the area and the subsequent penalty converted to cancel out Perry Streets advantage. Ten minutes into the second half Comets took the lead and held on until Man of the Match Purkiss bagged his second of the match and the contest ended with honours even.

Perry Street suffered a dispiriting loss at the hands of Brentwood Sports. Looking at the positives, a tactical switch at half-time paid dividends when Jack and Alex decided that the prolific striker (ex Arsenal academy), should be man-marked. This had a significant impact on the second half and but for an audacious chip – without doubt the best goal we have seen this season – the score in the second half would have been 0-1. The Perry Street goal was well executed with Matthew supplying a great cross which James finished with aplomb. Manager Howard Wright awarded the Man of the Match to Safe Hands Sans, who pulled of a string of excellent saves, including a dramatic backpedalling tip over his cross-bar. Next week’s trip to Harold Park sees the start of the ‘double header’ against promotion chasing Cougars. A dramatic improvement is required.

Perry Street got their first win of 2012 against a struggling Hutton Whites. Manager Howard Wright decided to shake things up a bit placing central defender Jack on the left wing, swapping Matthew to the right and using Jamie as an attacking wing back. The tactic worked very well as Jack’s pace and trickery caused mayhem on Hutton’s right flank. At the same time, Matthew’s tireless running created the space for Jamie to run into leaving Hutton’s left flank exposed. With Tommy and James working hard in midfield, Mitchell was able to dominate ensuring that the defensive line was hardly exposed at all – poor old Safe Hands was frozen to the spot. Having set up a number of shooting chances for on rushing midfielders, Jack took one ball down to the bi-line planting an excellent cross in the path of top scorer Matthew who finished off a high quality move by planting the ball into the net. As the pressure began to tell, Hutton gave away a silly penalty which Jack unfortunately placed the wrong side of the post. Maybe a Mitchell blaster next time?

Stalwart defender Alex Brown who was nursing a ligament injury came off at half time to ensure his fitness for next week’s crucial game against Herongate. Jack and Mitchell were dropped into defensive duties alongside Eddie and Chris Rhodes. As the game wore on Hutton found greater resolve and swamped the Perry Street midfield trio. Without time to play the ball, midfield passing deteriorated leaving forward players to chase long balls which Hutton were able to deal with. With better control of the midfield Hutton were in a position to exposed the back four for the first time in the game. Encouraged to press forward Hutton started to work overtime to force the equaliser. Fortunately for Perry Street, the back four remained resolute and Safe Hands was rarely tested. As the game entered the last quarter Hutton became more exposed at the back which meant that Perry Street’s forward passes looked more likely to produce a result. Eddie came increasingly into the game and set up a number of good chances with some excellence counter-attacking play. As the game came towards its conclusion Hutton started to falter and were kept in the game by the goal-keeper who made two excellent saves. With two minutes left on the clock, Jack moved back to left wing. Within seconds he took advantage of sloppy defending, breaking through into the area his fierce left footed shot rattled the post. Howard awarded Jack the Man of the Match award for his efforts and is left with a tactical dilemma for next week’s must win game. Does he go full out and use his full attacking options or take a more pragmatic approach? Well done to Hutton Whites – they never gave up, their players and management team are a credit to Hutton football club and the Chelmsford Youth League.

After a somewhat tentative start Perry Street got into their stride and Ben Pittman put them ahead on the twenty minute mark. Ten minutes later George Warden’s cross was met by Robbie Purkiss and his powerful strike was turned into the net by the home defender. Purkiss and Jack Harrison both had chances to extend Perry Streets lead before Conna Saxby’s sublime shot found the net. Brandon Groves then came strongly at the visitors and grabbed two quick goals to set up a tense finish, but Perry Street hung on for the victory.

With both teams suffering from some post-Xmas lethargy it wasn’t until the ten minute mark that the game sparked into life with a goal for the visitors and ten minutes later they doubled their advantage. This brought Perry Street to life and Robbie Purkiss reduced the deficit two minutes later and could have had two more before the break but for some fine saves from the Heath Park keeper. The second half saw Perry Street take control of the match with Purkiss and Man of the Match George Warden testing the away keeper before Purkiss grabbed the equaliser. However despite the home side laying siege to the Heath Park goal they could not find a winner and had to settle for the draw.