OLD Southendian picked up a point as they did battle with Waltham Forest in the Eastern League Premier B.

Both have been fighting for points near the bottom of the table in the early stages of the season and the Old Boys started well albeit without getting the breakthrough.

With one-way traffic for most of the first-half, it wasn’t long until the deadlock was broken but, unfortunately for the dominant home team, it was Waltham Forest that struck.

A long aerial ball from defence was picked up by the away team’s strikers and a couple of quick passes later Waltham Forest were presented with an open goal and casually slotted it home to take a 1-0 lead.

The Old Boys fought on, earning numerous free hits and short corners in and around the opposition’s goal but couldn’t score.

James Beardwell brought a save from the opposition goalkeeper but the ball fell to Alex Krekkis, who was able to bundle the ball into the goal just before half-time.

The second-half followed much the same pattern, with both Tim Robinson and Alfie Hibbard putting the ball wide in front of goal late on in the game.

The seconds went down 3-1 against their Witham counterparts, having gotten off to a rotten start after conceding in the first minute.

Witham continued to dominate possession but the Old Boys started to compete and, in the first minute of the second-half, scored as Theo Chandler deflected a cross from the left home at the far post.

But Witham restored their lead in double-quick time, taking advantage of defensive lapses to increase their lead to win comfortably.

The thirds played out an impressive goalless draw with a strong Colchester seconds side, who had previously won all seven of their matches.

In what was a real team effort, and despite Colchester’s dominance, the Old Boys restricted them to few chances from open play. Jack Hitchman deserves strong praise for doing a sterling job in defence.

Old Southendians fifths finally got into winning ways this weekend as they put four past a good Waltham Forest team.

The last four weeks have seen good performances spoiled by some sloppy play and a lack of fitness but this week, with a squad of 15 and a good focus, Old Southendian were in control from start to finish.

Two goals from man of the match Matt Leighton and one each from father and son Paul and David Ashworth ensured the points as the Old Boys look to build some sort of winning streak.

The sixth team lost to Brentwood’s fifth XI 4-1.