Wednesday 15th September 2021

Thurlow and Nunn first division south

Benfleet go top!

Benfleet returned to league action after their fine win in the FA Vase on Friday. They hosted Frenford at Canvey Island's Park Lane, knowing that a win would take them to the top of the league.

After a cagey opening ten minutes the first chance fell to Benfleet defender Sonny Hartman, whose header towards goal was spilled by Frenford goalkeeper Jack Ryan and hooked off the line by a covering defender. Benfleet's number 4 also saw his free kick deflected over the bar soon after.

The first 20 minutes were very even, with both defences staying alert to prevent any meaningful attacks and the attackers looking to exploit any space left on the counter.

On 22 minutes the ball bounced quickly towards Benfleet's impressive left winger Darnell Shakes, who couldn't quite sort his feet out at the back stick and saw his effort go narrowly wide. Frenford had looked to run in behind with some intelligent attacking movement and almost immediately after Darnell's chance the Frenford number 8 found himself in a great position down the left and whipped the ball low and hard across goal but the host goalkeeper Gislette was equal to this and palmed the ball away to safety.

In the 38th minute it took a moment of real quality to give Benfleet the lead as skipper Aaron Russell played a clever pass wide into the path of Ben Foord. He looked likely to dart towards goal but was driven wide and unselfishly laid the ball back to Shakes. His first time cross was met with a thumping acrobatic finish by Russell, who had started the move and saw his shot fly across the keeper and into the far corner.

This goal gave Benfleet a real boost and on 42 minutes Shakes was unfortunate not to make it 2-0, as he hit a swerving shot which brought an excellent save from Ryan, who managed to divert the ball around the post.

Just before half time there was a little bit of handbags after Henry Sims caught the Frenford midfielder late as he released the ball and Sims can possibly count himself a little fortunate not to have been cautioned, although the referee did allow the game to flow throughout.

Half time
Benfleet 1 Frenford 0 - very close game in the first half, but Benfleet had stepped up the intensity since their goal.

Whatever was said at half time from the home management team certainly had the desired effect as they came out with pace and purpose in the opening five minutes of the second half, pressing high and showing real intent with their passing play. On 50 minutes the crowd were treated to a stunning goal after neat passing play on the edge of the area. The ball found it's way to Russell with a defender to beat. He shifted the ball quickly from right to left foot, drifted past his opponent and from an angle, as the ball sat up slightly, guided a precise shot with his left foot across the goalkeeper and into the far top corner. Absolutely unstoppable! 2-0 to the hosts.

Benfleet kept attacking after this, as they looked to put the game beyond Frenford, and on 53 minutes Luc Harpon, who had been instrumental in the FA Vase win at St Margaretsbury, fired the ball across the six yard box and Ben Foord almost made a telling connection at the back post. The visitors reminded Benfleet that they were still a threat when their number 9 Ben Bridgeman hooked a clever effort towards the top corner, which was clawed away by the alert Gislette.

Benfleet added to their lead as Shakes drove at the defence again and laid the ball unselfishly into the middle, where Ben Foord was perfectly positioned to whip the ball expertly into the corner past the despairing dive of Ryan from around 20 yards out.

With the respective league positions of the two teams, one may have assumed that this was job done but Frenford kept fighting and pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to play, as a corner could only be punched into the air by Gislette, who was under pressure and was then fired home through a crowd of bodies by Ben Bridgeman.

After this Frenford started to push a few more numbers forward and Benfleet found it difficult to create any more chances. On 85 minutes the Frenford 8 hit a shot just over from range and on 87 minutes Sonny Hartman was once again in the right place at the right time to backpedal and win a vital header at the back stick, with a Frenford player poised to head at goal.

As the game went into stoppage time Frenford pulled another goal back as Benfleet tried to dribble out near the edge of the area and possession was lost. A cross was put in towards the middle of the area, where Bridgeman met the ball and guided in into the net via the post for his second. 3-2 with only minutes to play!

After this moment Benfleet managed to see the game out without conceding any further chances. The game finished 3-2 and Benfleet were now top of the league! The hosts deserved their win but credit to Frenford who worked hard and played their part in an exciting contest.

M.O.M Aaron Russell

Report by Paul Clarke