SOUTHEND & Benfleet saw off Wapping fourths 1-0 in a rearranged encounter.

The original clash between the two teams was called off due to a frozen pitch earlier on this year.

But Southend were not to be denied and came out on top thanks to a goal from Kirsty Edmunds.

Despite the final score-line though it was Wapping who forced the pressure in the opening exchanges.

They had a few early short corners awarded, but some timely saves from Southend goalkeeoer Lisa Hawkins and calm clearances from sweeper Jodie Linge kept the game goalless.

But, in reply, Edmunds then took the ball from deep within her own half to slide one past the keeper and put Southend in front.

Southend remained on top after the goal and started to turn the tables on the visitors.

With some continued pressure, Southend bagged another goal but it came a split second after the whistle had sounded for a foul committed by Wapping, which unfortunately prevented S&B from claiming the goal.

The score therefore stayed 1-0 at the break and the second half was painstaking for Southend as constant pressure on the Wapping goal yielded very little.

Strike after strike was saved by the visiting goalkeeper or skimmed just wide of the post and Southend would again be denied a second goal as the whistle blew for another foul committed by Wapping in the D just before the ball crossed the line.

In the final minutes of the game that could have proved costly as Wapping were awarded a short corner.

Southend waited with baited breath as the entire Wapping team lined up on the S&B boarder for a last ditch attempt at drawing level.

However, the tension soon disappeared as Stacey Chandler swiped the ball clean from the D before Wapping could strike at goal.

l SOUTHEND & Benfleet’s third team were held to a 1-1 draw against Crostyx thirds.

Having lost 5-0 to Crostyx on the previous encounter, Southend were ready for the rematch and no goals were scored during the first half.

Southend had the lion’s share of the play and, in the second half, their patience paid off when player of the match Felicity Galbally ran the ball up the wing and crossed it to the top of the D where Katie Adcock was waiting to slot past the Crostyx keeper. Despite Southend’s best efforts, Crostyx levelled soon after to ensure the game ended 1-1.

But Southend still considered it a great result and a well earned point.