Essex Olympian League

Division 3 South East

Tuesday 12th May 2026

Kick Off 19.15 Actual 19.17

South Woodham Ferrers United 2 Benfleet Reserves 1, attendance 133

15’ 1-0

74’ 2-0

87’ 2-1

@ South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, 3G Pitch

Brickfields Road

South Woodham Ferrers

CM3 5XB

No Admission or Programme.

Although the ground here at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre is a cage set up, it’s better than most, as spectator access is along one side and behind both goals, with the ‘benches’ set up on the unused side. There’s plenty of parking, with the changing rooms located inside the main building, about fifty yards from the pitch.

The match was 2nd versus 1st in the league table, with Benfleet a point ahead, with a game in hand, so a win for them would see them crowned champions as SWF only have one game to play after this. It was the hosts who opened the scoring after fifteen minutes, finishing a through ball low into the bottom corner. There were plenty of chances, but it was SWF who grabbed the all important second goal of the game, when a free kick within the centre circle was met with a glancing header just inside the box, sending it into the bottom corner of the net with sixteen minutes left. With five minutes left Benfleet had three consecutive shots cleared off the line, in a desperate attempt to force the ball in, but a couple of minutes later they did pull a goal back, when a cross from the right was headed in at the far post, leaving the hosts hanging on nervously. So, SWF go into their final game two points clear of Benfleet Reserves at the top, but the latter crucially still have a game in hand.

The journey to Essex had the normal three mile queue approaching the Dartford Crossing, whilst the return was only hindered by two lanes being closed, again at the Dartford Crossing.