Essex Senior League
Venue: Southchurch Park
Attendance: TBC
2019 – 20 Season: Match 26
Saturday 5th October 2019 – 3pm KO
S Manor: Yellow & Black Shirt, Black Shorts, Black Socks
Redbridge: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
Clinical Redbridge take the points at Southchurch Park
Southend Manor 0 – 2 Redbridge
Report & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14) with additional photos by Andy Wilkins (Twitter: @wilkins_media)
This weekend’s Essex Senior League match took me to Southchurch Park as Southend Manor welcomed Redbridge. Recently-appointed boss Michael Walther named introduced a few recent signings into into his starting XI as ex-Barkingside defender Derek O’Halem started at right-back, alongside centre-backs Cameron Harris and Kiah Froud and left-back Daniel Monk. Larry Akanbi led the line with support from Aundre Spencer and Teddy Henderson, with the returning Grant Webb among the options on the substitute’s bench. Redbridge retained Florent Gislette between the sticks, with Tom Harvey skippering the side and a front three of Tony Martin, Daniel Gilchrist and Taylor Tombides, who was making his return from injury. Rujourn Tuitt, James Barlow and Reece Latimer kept their places on the bench from last week’s entertaining draw at Sporting Bengal Utd.
In the early stages on this contest, Manor did look quite purposeful with ex-Basildon & Bowers & Pitsea winger Fahad Nyanja looking a threat down the right flank in stretching the visiting defence. Seven minutes in, the first half-chance came as from centre-back Cameron Harris’ long throw, full-back Derek O’Halem looped a header just wide of the far post. In the following six minutes, forwards Larry Akanbi and Aundre Spencer had efforts on goal but neither of them could bypass Redbridge goalkeeper Florent Gislette. The hosts were also quite well-drilled in defence as well as tricky forward Daniel Gilchrist was looking to get things moving for the Motormen.
Midway through the half, a deep in-swinging cross from full-back Daniel Monk to the back stick needed the intervention of Gislette to gather ahead of the rising Nyanja. Gilchrist was then well-denied as a cheeky back-heeled effort was blocked on the goal-line. On the cusp of the half-hour, Nyanja headed straight at Gislette and those missed opportunities would be costly for Michael Walther’s team. Micky Wetherall’s charges were ‘turning the tide’ of the match with some slick passing and good pace going forward. The visitors certainly signalled their intent as with 14 minutes to play until half-time, forwards Gilchrist and Taylor Tombides both had strikes blocked before central defender Joe Maskell blasted a venomous 25-yarder just over the woodwork.
Nine minutes before the break, a sweet through ball found Tombides and whilst careering towards the near post, he picked his spot and coolly slotted past home ‘stopper Patrick Stephenson to give the visitors the lead. It got worse for the home side two minutes shy of the interval as from a free-kick, a nifty back header from centre-back Dean Hall flew into the corner to really give the Motormen the initiative.
Half-Time: Southend Manor 0 – 2 Redbridge
The second-half was more of a serene affair overall, as Grant Webb came on for Grant Frances in midfield. Harvey Brown had blazed over for the visitors just past the hour though a crucial pinch-point occurred moments later. Manor were awarded a penalty after a foul in the area, with Spencer stepping up to take it. However, an unconvincing strike to say the least was gathered by Gislette quite comfortably and with it, the spirit took a knock from the hosts’ perspective. The Motormen were quite content to sit on their lead and venture forward on the counter-attack, and one such move saw substitute James Barlow only have ‘keeper Stephenson to beat, though the Manor custodian did well to parry away his effort.
In the end, it was Redbridge who came away with a deserved victory as they continue their rise up the standings, now sitting in 11th. Manor fell to their first loss under Walther, and drop to 13th spot. There were positives to take for Manor, who showed they may be a tougher outfit to beat this term in that first half.
Full-Time: Southend Manor 0 – 2 Redbridge
In terms of stand-out performances, Derek O’Halem had a fine game in my view in defence for Manor, making numerous clearing headers and showed good energy. Winger Fahad Nyanja and forward Larry Akanbi also gave the visitors a tricky time of it, particularly in the first half with Nyanja’s pace and crossing and Akanbi’s strength and movement. For Redbridge, centre-back Joe Maskell had a superb afternoon, making good interceptions and showing good positioning & awareness. Full-back Jordayne Henry also put in a energetic display while forwards Taylor Tombides and Daniel Gilchrist played their part in the forward line as well.
Finally, I’d like to wish both sides well for the remainder of the campaign and it was good to see both sides in action here.
Teams (with shirt numbers)
Southend Manor | Manager: Michael Walther
1 Patrick Stephenson (GK), 2 Derek O’Halem, 3 Daniel Monk, 4 Kiah Froud, 5 Cameron Harris, 6 Ope Mosuro (Capt), 7 Fahad Nyanja (16 Christian O’Halem 66’), 8 Grant Frances (12 Grant Webb 46’), 9 Larry Akanbi, 10 Aundre Spencer (17 Louie Hunt 65’), 11 Teddy Henderson
Booked: None | Subs Not Used: Chambers, Makaka
Redbridge | Manager: Micky Wetherall
1 Florent Gislette (GK), 2 Jordayne Henry, 3 Timi Abiola, 4 Harvey Brown, 5 Joe Maskell, 6 Dean Hall, 7 Jack Blackledge, 8 Tom Harvey (Capt), 9 Taylor Tombides (15 Rujorn Tuitt 68’), 10 Tony Martin (14 Reece Latimer 85’), 11 Daniel Gilchrist (16 James Barlow 68’)
Goal-scorers: Taylor Tombides [36’], Dean Hall [43’]
Booked: Abiola | Subs Not Used: G Martin (GK)
Referee: Dean Markwick
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