Friendly

Wednesday 14th July 2021

Kick Off 19.15 Actual 19.18

Benfleet 3 Rayleigh Town 1, attendance 42

28’ 1-0

39’ 2-0

70’ 3-0

85’ 3-1

@ Woodside Extension

Manor Road

New Thundersley

SS7 4PB

No Admission or Programme.

At the start of the 2018/19 season, Benfleet made the move up to Step 6, having gained promotion to the Eastern Counties League Division 1 South, despite playing in the Essex Olympian League Division 2 (Step 9) the previous season. In doing so, it meant moving to ground share at Canvey Island F.C. in order to meet the ground grading requirements. Their traditional home ground is now only used by the Reserves and Youth teams, so tonight was a chance to see the first team here, as they still use the ground for hosting friendly matches. The pitch used tonight (the only one currently marked out) runs parallel to what was the old first team pitch (brick dugout bases still in place) and is beyond the former, furthest from the changing rooms. There is room for a third pitch, which is to the left, running the opposite way.

As expected, it was a comfortable win for Benfleet, against their Essex Olympian League Premier Division opponents. They dominated for the majority of the game, but actually had very little end product, despite scoring three goals. Having missed a penalty at the end of the first half, that smashed against the crossbar, Rayleigh Town did head in a consolation goal late on, to make the score 3-1.