Old Southendian Res 1-1 Leigh Town Sat 1st

Leigh Town 1sts kicked off the season solidly, nearly starting off away with 3 points only to concede an admittedly great equaliser very late on.

The match began quite cagey, with the first 5-10 minutes seeing both teams just feeling one another out and finding their feet in the game. Old Southendians pushed forward on a few occasions but thankfully didn’t threaten in the early exchanges. We eventually got going and started to play our passing game, with Connor and Charlie both spreading the ball and dictating play as we started to take charge, and starting to see increasing joy on the wings. Not to be upstaged by Connor, big brother Aaron broke the deadlock - a great turn, driving at the box before beating a defender and burying it bottom left from 20 yards out, giving us a deserved 1-0 lead. Continuing to dominate, we couldn’t build on this and get a second before the half-time whistle.

Old Southendians came out very purposeful in the second half, stepping up the pressure and controlling possession more and more, leaving us to have to resort to counter-attacks. We nearly extended our lead from a free-kick from Lewis H, after some terrific play by Theo and Lewis B, but the Old Southendian keeper was equal to it. With 86 minutes gone we were nearly there with holding on for the win and keeping their pressure at bay, but after a headed clearance fell to their number 8 at the edge of the box, who brought it down and finished with an excellent half volley, the game was even.

Overall a good point gained on match day 1 and realistically a fair result, although naturally the boys were a bit deflated to concede so late on. Plenty of positives and good individual performances, and lots to work on ready for our next match against Hutton on Saturday 17th August.

#UpTheTown