Bees Maintian Title Buzz - Basildon United vs. Eton Manor

Match action at Gardiner's Close

For the second part of Easter extravaganza I made the short into Essex for Basildon United against Eton Manor in The Essex Senior League. It has been nearly two years since my last game in this league which was Great Wakering Rovers versus Southend Manor during the formers promotion campaign. The reverse fixture was played in midweek and Eton Manor claimed a shock 3-2 to put a dent in Basildon's title ambitions. Going into the game Basildon were four points behind leaders FC Romania while Eton Manor were just below mid table. I saw Eton Manor in an FA Cup tie against Stanway Rovers when they were ground sharing at Barking.

Just before kick off at Gardiner's Close

Eton Manor come close in the first few minutes when a header from a cross into the area is headed just over the bar. Basildon take an early lead when the winger is allowed to cut and he hammers a shot off the underside of the bar to make it one nil. They create a half chance with a defence splitting pass which is just out of reach of the onrushing forward. Basildon continue to attack and a back post header goes just wide of the post. Eton Manor then begin to get back into the game and the Basildon keeper has to be alert to be first to a flick on from a long ball forward. They equalise when a wind assisted corner goes straight in. The wind is making things difficult for the Basildon keeper and he has tip a free kick from around the half way line on to the crossbar.

The Basildon winger takes on the full back

Conditions begin to get worse in the second half as rain joins the heavy winds. Basildon push on to try and claim a vital three points and an early free kick goes just over the bar. They retake the lead when a free kick from the right is headed in at the back post. They almost create a third but the Eton Manor keeper makes a great strong challenge to prevent the attacker getting a shot in. The Eton Manor keeper then makes another great save to save a half volley at his near post. Basildon continue to dominate possession but the nearest they come to third is another back post header which goes wide as they see out the rest of the game to claim the three points.

2-1 Basildon

Trains to Basildon depart from Fenchurch Street and Liverpool Street and the journey takes forty minutes. A short walk away from the station is The Owl And Pussycat which was very welcoming and also has the sports channels. Across the road from the station itself is The Beehive which does the job and also has the sports channels. Gardiner's Close is walk able from the town centre with the walk taking half an hour but there a few hills. On the way back I caught a bus from Whitmore Way / Church Road which is ten minutes from the ground and there was a regular stream of buses back into town. The clubhouse was friendly and had the usual selection of drinks.

Basildon on the attack in the first half