The game started off with both teams trying to find possession of the ball in tricky conditions, and it was Open Academy that had the game’s first glorious chance. After some neat play in the midfield a cross was met by Open's Aaron Sanders who did brilliantly to dummy the first shot, then with the goal at his mercy he really should have put Open 1-0 up but for an excellent block by South Essex Number 5 Jarrett.

However, it was South Essex College that took the lead in the 25th Minute. A cross from South Essex was not dealt with and South Essex number 9 Foorde was on hand to send the ball past Tibbles and give the Essex team the lead.

Still Open kept creating chances with Priestly and Swatman spurning chances to draw the teams level. At the other end Luis Tibbles made a number of saves to keep the game at 1-0 and keep Open Academy in the game.

HT South Essex College 1-0 Open Academy

The second half began with South Essex College in control of the game with their number 11, Maxwell Ejiogu, causing problems down the right hand side.

Chris Priestly had a good chance to draw the teams level from a Hipkiss header back into the box. A corner was cleared and fell to Hipkiss on the edge of the box, his header found Priestly unmarked and the striker neatly controlled the ball before firing it into the keepers arms.

Unfortunately South Essex College doubled their lead on 68 minutes. Solly Pope was adjudged to have pulled down Foorde in the area giving the referee no chance but to point to the spot somewhat controversially as the defender said he managed to get a touch on the ball. Up stepped Luke Winter to send the ball into the far corner giving Tibbles no chance 2-0 South Essex.

Open Academy kept fighting to salvage something from the game and had to do this the hard way with 10 men as Jack Edwards was sent off on 78 Mins. However Open Academy did in fact get themselves back into the game on 82 minutes. A shot from Sanders was flicked on by Ellis watts looping up and over stranded keeper Phillips and into the net.
Open Academy kept pushing all the way but South Essex held on to pick up their first points of the season and a well - deserved victory.

FT South Essex College 2-1 Open Academy Sixth Form

Teams

Open Academy: Tibbles, Watts, Pope, Hipkiss, Curran, Eagleton, Sanders, Jessett, Nelson, Swatman, Priestly. Subs: Edwards, Purton, Simpson.

Goal: Watts (82)

South Essex College: Phillips, Adlington, Rowe, Ogenleye, Jarrett, Gleisinger, Keen, Long, Foorde, Yasin, Ejiogu. Subs: Winter,Tatay, Mukakarate.

Goals: Foorde (25), Winter (68)