On a cold and overcast morning, depleted of players across the lower half of the club due to half-term and winter flu, Old Southendian's 4th XI turned up to meet Brentwood 4s with an unusual, but strong mix of players.

The first ten minutes of the game saw Brentwood pushing their youngsters up front and controlling the game from midfield, looking for an early score. Old Southendian's tactics were slightly different. With most of our players expecting that the game was going to be easy, there was some wandering around on the pitch, some looking to teammates to pick up their loose passes, and no real desire to drive the ball forward. It was all too much effort on a Saturday when most other families were nursing illness on a warm sofa or having fun on the slopes.

The additions from M5s were holding things together, with excellent cameos from Russ Andrews and Mike Rapp in defence teaming up with some exceptional goal keeping from Richard Boutcher. Without these efforts, including goal line saves, we would have been down at least 3 goals by half-time, but as it was, we entered the second-half 0-0. We all knew what was going wrong, we just needed to pull our socks up.

Despite Calen Lindsay working hard to win us a number of short corners, and some slick tactics at the top of the D involving old favourites Malcolm Price and Dave Robeson, we couldn't turn the penalties to our advantage. The few balls we moved across their D in open play found us all in the wrong places and we couldn't muster a goal. Frustration was gathering. Nick Chandler kept pushing out on the right, Will Lord was trying to push up on the left, but interceptions and strong tackles were driving Brentwood back down the middle and leaving the defence with most of the work to do throughout the game. Webby was left hoarse from constant shouting at our teams' show of indifference to a potential defeat.

But then it happened. A moment of clarity brought about by Sampi Mehta. Having manouvered his way across to the right of the D and creating his usual havoc, Sampi struck the ball fast across the goal line and found none other than Andy Clark. A stop, hit, then a rebounded flick, and we were 1-0 up. Now we were in our comfort zone.

Some more pressing play ensued, and old boys' threatened for the remainder of the game, but Brentwood were not ready to be rolled over and we were under constant threat of the fast counter attack. Yet again, our defensive line saved the day and there was a palpable sense of relief when the final whistle blew.

Two important points from this game that should not be missed; firstly, there was little discussion with the umpires who allowed a fast flowing game, meaning there were no green cards - on either side. An excellent achievement! Secondly, To make sure the team loses and wins together, this week the Jacket of Shame was taken out of the wardrobe, but only so it could be taken to the cleaners.

Player of the Match went to two key players - Mike Rapp in solid defence and running the ball from defence into attack, and Richard Boutcher, who came into his own and showed us why he's repeatedly selected for the England International Masters team.