SOUTHCHURCH Athletic are on course in their five-year plan, although one objective was put on hold after their semi-final cup appearance was postponed.

The Sceptre Sunday Football League Division Four side were set to take on Eastleigh Wanderers in the semi-final of the Sporting Events Cup, but the contest never started.

Referee Peter Elvidge deemed one of the portable goalpost frames was twisted at the base and called the game off, leaving both sets of players – some of whom had travelled from as far away as Lincoln – frustrated.

The sides played out a friendly instead, which Eastleigh won 3-2, and Southchurch manager Jason Davis took over as the man in the middle.

And Davis, inset, said although he would have loved to have made the final before the Christmas break, he has been pleased at the progress his side has made.

Echo:

Jack Hall scores for Southchurch

“It has gone very well,” admitted Davis, 35. “The first year was all about competing, as we only got going in April.

“Year two we wanted to start pushing for trophies and try and get in the top two of the division and the remaining years in the plan are aimed towards expanding the club and maybe starting an under-21 side.

“We have a young squad and have 21 players registered with the club and to be pushing up the league already this season is very encouraging.”

The club plays at Futures College, in Southend, and the former Great Wakering Rovers reserve team coach said the club is building a platform on which it has genuine chances of succeeding.

“We have won four of six league games and are in round four of the Essex Sunday Trophy as well so all things considered we are going well.

“I just wanted to launch a community football club but now we are making progress like this, we have to look at the bigger picture.”

Elsewhere in Division Four, Canvey Phoenix have been setting the pace with nine wins from 11 games.

Westcliff United and Eastleigh Wanderers are hot on their tails while Basildon-based LPA South FC are marooned at the bottom, with a single point.

Fourth placed Leigh United pair Nathan Dewberry and Charley Cooney are racing away in the scoring charts, with 15 goals apiece already, in only 12 appearances combined.

In Division One, Basildon’s Attero have a comfortable seven points lead over FC Gulls, with Luke Fosh leading the way with 17 goals in six games.

There are only two points separating second and sixth in the nine-team league, although Trinity United have lost all six of their games.

Westwood Rangers and Leigh Rockets are fighting it out at the top of Division Two, although Thamesgate FC could join them at the top if they win their games in hand.

At the other end of the league, Fort United and FC Hockley are struggling to convert their chances, with bottom placed Hockley shipping 16 goals in their past four matches.

In Division Three, Grange Celtic Bhoys top the pile, with only one defeat to their name after nine games, while Callback FC are the league’s bottom team, with only one win in ten games.

East Park are six points clear in Division Five, and are the only side in the Sceptre Leagues to boast a 100 per cent record.

A positive goal difference of 28 after eight games, has made them a formidable force, although Berry Rangers Reserves have a goal difference of -41 at the base of the league. Finally, Division Six is being contested by Richmond Rangers and Mornington Reserves, with only a point separating the teams.

The bottom four are separated by only two points as they bid to pull themselves to safety.