Old Southendian Ladies failed to capitalise on their first-half enterprise and lost this match to Stevenage last weekend.

The Southend side recovered well initially from a major setback when their leading scorer Sonia Allen was sidelined with a 17th minute knee injury.

It was her substitute Julie Horner who finally stabbed the ball into the net after 21 minutes, finishing off a move that saw Jo Jones's shot strike an upright and roll along the goal-line.

Southendians then went on to boss the first-half, creating chances to increase their lead which they failed to convert.

Unfortunately, in the second-half, Southendians let Stevenage get back into the match and the Hertfordshire side equalised after 58 minutes.

Then they grabbed the lead 17 minutes later.

Stevenage were now on top and, to make matters worse for Southendians, they were reduced to ten players when a recurring knee injury saw Wendy Carter carried off.

Southendians' defence now had to tighten up in a damage-limitation exercise and it resulted in their defender Debbie Hole being named player of the match.

Although this was not a good start to the New Year, Southendians are convinced that they can bounce back in their next game - away to Symonds Green - injuries permitting.

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