Southend hockey club’s mens’ first team gained revenged for an 8-2 drubbing earlier on in the season by defeating Fords 3-1 away from home.

The Seasiders started brightly, taking the game to their in-form opponents and when Tristan Handley fed Neil Utton after just three minutes, the visiting team went in front.

With the momentum behind them the Southend doubled their advantage 25 minutes later, when a sublime pass from Christian Jenkins found Utton who scored his second of the game.

With half-time approaching Fords got a goal back from a short corner making the score at the break 2-1 to Southend.

As the home side tried to level the scoreline, indiscipline began to grow in their play and one of their players was sin-binned for a yellow card.

With the man advantage Southend brought their lead back up to two goals, as Dave McCarthy made a great run and finished with a sweet shot to make the score 3-1.

Southend held out in the closing stages with superior composure and fitness, with Handley adding the man-of-the-match award to his earlier assist.

This week sees Southend entertain top-of-the-table Ramgarhia.