Eton Manor U13s welcomed Southend to The New Wilderness for an early season friendly/development fixture, played on the 1st team pitch. Southend have a large and well coached squad and paid us the compliment of bringing their "A" team to the fixture. Eton Manor U13s have been improved by the arrival of several new players and the development opportunity of this fixture was used to bring these new players into the team at an early stage of the season. This, combined with the absence of a number of regular players and players playing out of their normal positions meant that the Manor struggled to stay in ouch with a strong Southend team. It was a disappointing day in some respects but we now have a target to aim for b the end of this season.
The pack deserve a mention in that with depleted numbers and playing many out of position the attitude remained determined and the set plays were solid.
Onwards and upwards boys, it won't get any tougher than this one!!