The Southend Collegians Sunday team got back to winning ways this weekend with a fantastic comeback win away to ATF Southend (S) Reserves.
The match was played in tricky, wet conditions made a little worse by the referee not turning up. As per the standard procedure, ATF’s manager admirably refereed the match which started cagey from both sides. Collegians looked the fresher side, forcing the ATF keeper into some decent saves from distance.
As the first half went on, we started to struggle with the soggy ground and slightly uphill pitch. This in-turn invited pressure, which resulted in the home side taking the lead. Collegians reacted well and got back on level terms through a lovely goal by Rick Marsh, before ATF poked in a second goal just before halftime.
Despite being 2-1 down at halftime, manager Dan Phillips knew his team was playing better than the score line suggested and believed his side would get back on level terms. But if you don’t take your chances in football, you will get punished, and this is exactly what happened early in the second half. With a straightforward long ball to breach SCFC defence, ATF made it 3-1.
Finding the team two goals down and key players pulling up with injury, Collegians changed to their less-favourable 4-4-2 formation, but this turn out to be just the platform they needed. First, Dan Kemm, who was fresh off scoring for the SCFC Saturday reserves the day before, made it two goals in two games this weekend by getting on the end of an attacking corner.
As the game entered the closing stages of the match, Collegians stepped up a gear. They pinned ATF back and put plenty of good crosses, which not only lead to an equaliser, but also a winning goal late on! Substitute Joel Allibon secured the 3-points with two excellent goals in the last 10-minutes to see the game finish 3-4 to Collegians.
After the match, SCFC Sunday manager Dan Phillips said:
“I would like to thank our opposition today for pushing us all the way, especially their goalkeeper who played fantastically well”.
Dan added:
“Our substitutes gave us fresh legs and fantastic performances. They really helped stretch the opposition when we needed it”.
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