Shrimpers seconds grab deserved draw in Hornets nest

Last updated : 12 April 2011 By westfield shrimper
watford fc

Graham Coughlan's Southend United reserves took on Watford seconds at Boreham Wood FC's Meadow Park Tuesday evening in their latest Totesport Football Combination East Division fixture and returned with a 1-1 draw after being behind at the break thanks to a Watford born Harry Crawford strike!


Culum Butcher; made his debut for the reserves tonight

This was a decent result for the seconds after falling behind in just the second minute, young Luke Chambers starting in goal for the Essex boys, beaten by an 18-yard effort from Connor Smith.

The Shimpers though didn't fold and took the game to last season's Totesport East Champions, going close with strikes from Louie Soares and Jamie Stephens, which brought fantastic saves from Hornets keeper Jack Bonham, the first being pushed over the bar in spectacular fashion.

As the second half began the away side might have felt the luck was not with them, especially when a superb free-kick by Stevens seven minutes after the restart failed to find a Southend player to force the ball home.

Then, on 62 minutes, Soares again, no save this time, but his stunning shot was defelected on to the crossbar.

However, Harry Crawford was to save the day when, with 17 minutes left on the clock, he hit a low, powerful strike that finally saw the Shrimpers on the scoresheet.

Kyle Asante found himself late on in a one on one with Bonham after showing great pace but the Watford shot stopper bravely grabbed the ball from the teenage strikers boot straps.

So a fantastic effort from the reserves, and both trailists, former Tottenham youth Calum Butcher and George Artemi, looked safe at the back, but it's only Watford, with a couple of wins from their final couple of games, that can reclaim the title, one of which will be Southend again, but at Roots Hall next time, on Tuesday, April 26th, kick-off 14.00.