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A Billy Thompson free-kick put Basildon in charge at Southend Mnor |
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Southend Manor |
0-3 |
Basildon United |
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Thompson, Menga 2 |
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Southchurch Park Arena |
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3.00pm, Saturday 12 February 05 |
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Essex Senior League |
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Attendance: |
A well-taken free-kick from Billy Thompson and two second-half strikes from Laverne Menga gave Basildon United a 3-0 victory away at Southend Manor in blustery conditions.
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The win takes John Doyle’s side to seventh in the Essex Senior League table and continues the fine run that has seen them go six games unbeaten.
The Bees were forced into one change from the win over Concord last week, as Max Shepherd filled Michael Risely's slot on the right-hand side of midfield, and though the visitors looked to be comfortable during the opening exchanges, the strong winds were to cause some concern.
However, after Menga was fouled on the right-side of the Manor box midway through the first-half, Billy Thompson used the gale to his advantage, firing in a powerful free-kick beyond the ‘keeper’s despairing dive.
With the confidence of three clean-sheets in the last four outings behind them, it was down to Manor to take the game to Basildon, but any hopes of an exhilarating display of football from either team were dashed by the weather, and a scrappy battle of wills continued for much of the half.
Southend did come close to finding an equalizer when a dangerous in-swinging free-kick was flicked onto Dean Neil’s cross-bar, but at the other end Thompson could have made it two, shooting wide from 15-yards following a great move involving Terry Merchant and Rob Russell on the right. Adrian Smith and Jamie Bradbury also had close range efforts hastily cleared from the line.
After the break it was Basildon who continued the strongest and it was no surprise when they finally extended their lead, all but killing-off the Manor challenge.
Merchant again raiding down the right, fed in a crisp ball to the feet of Bradbury, who had one man to beat, just inside the area. After his first attempt was thwarted, a deft piece of skill took him around his marker and pick out Menga, arriving at the near-post, who guided past the ‘keeper with ease.
With little more than five minutes left on the clock, Menga added his second and scored his third in two games, once again profiting on a defensive mix-up, as he did against Concord last week.
As the goalie looked odds on to clear a hopeful ball forwards, he mis-judged its run allowing Menga the formality of rolling the ball into the empty net from 18-yards.
There was still enough time remaining for Basildon to welcome back an old face as Robert Key made his entrance from the bench. The Harold Wood man could have made it four, too, but when clean through with only the ‘keeper to beat, the Manor number one won the battle of wits to foil Key’s sorry attempt.
In the end though, three was enough for the Bees as they continue to make progress up the league.
Team
Dean Neil, Terry Merchant, Jamie Lewis, Lee Forbes, Nick Dickson, Billy Thompson, Max Shepherd, Adrian Smith, Laverne Menga, Rob Russell, Jamie Bradbury (Ian Tucker).
Subs not used: Chris Clarke, Tim Cordell, Rob Key.
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Team
Dean Neil,
Terry Merchant,
Jamie Lewis,
Lee Forbes,
Nick Dickson,
Billy Thompson,
Max Shepherd,
Adrian Smith,
Laverne Menga (Rob Key),
Rob Russell (c),
Jamie Bradbury (Ian Tucker).
Subs not used:
Chris Clarke, Tim Cordell.
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