| Date | Report |
| September 26th |
Div 4SE: Opposition: Chelmsford 4; Result:
Won 4-2; Scorer(s): J.O'Dell 3, S.Pearce Upminster hosted Chelmsford in their first game of the new league season. U's started poorly and were continually either caught in possession or giving the ball away far too easily. Although enjoying much of the play, the visitors themselves were unable to create too many clear cut chances. They took a deserved lead with a wonder strike from an acute angle from the edge of circle into the top corner when all other players were expecting a cross. If U's were simply awful in the first half, they were simply brilliant in the second half. An early penalty corner was cleverly slipped by Nigel Emes to Jamie O'Dell to slot home. O'Dell then turned provider as he played in strike partner Steve Pearce to calmly finish past the keeper. U's were rampant and an excellent counter attack allowed Pearce to return the favour and set up O'Dell for his second. As the visitors pushed for a response a Chelmsford penalty corner broke down, and U's broke away again in stunning fashion as O'Dell completed a hat trick to make it 4-1. O'Dell and Pearce then contrived to miss an open goal in attempting to walk the ball into the net before Chris Szpak missed a penalty stoke. With time running out, Chelmsford pulled one back with an excellent solo effort but U's comfortably held on to take the points. |
| October 3rd | No Report |
| October 10th | No Report |
| October 17th |
Upminster travelled to Harlow
expecting a close game after the two sides enjoyed a 5-4 thriller
pre-season. The visitors started well and enjoyed much of the early
possession. Harlow started to get into the game more as the half developed
with their central midfielders being particularly dominant. U's started to
play more on the break and Phil Hudson proved a constant threat to the
Harlow backline. U's seem to drift out of the game as the half came to a
close and Harlow took advantage of some good play to take the lead from a
penalty corner. The second half was a hard fought affair with U's just
edging possession. Their backline was well marshalled by the returning
Henry Wong and keeper Tony Dance was a virtual spectator. However, despite
some neat approach play U's were often lacking the final killer pass in
the final third. The impressive Hudson continued to be the main threat and
the Harlow keeper had to be at the top of his game after possession was
gifted to Hudson in front of goal. U's continued to push for the equaliser
and skipper Lloyd Sutton saw his last minute effort cleared off the line
thanks to a magnificent piece of defending. Keeper Tony Dance had his only
touch of the half as he acrobatically turned a powerfully struck shot over
the crossbar. U's went home disappointed not to earn a point that their
efforts deserved. Harlow 1 - 0 Upminster 3s |
| October 24th |
Upminster
hosted their struggling local rivals looking to build on recent good
performances. Their side was much changed due to some unavailability in
higher sides and it showed in the first 10 minutes as U’s took time to
gel. In contrast, the visitors began strongly with captain John Wigham
looking to be in good form. Against the run of play, U’s had a goal
mysteriously chalked off before Havering went down the other end and
scored in a similar fashion. U’s started to settle and were soon back
on level terms and some good link up play from Dave Farrant and Mike
Pollock set up Steve Pearce to score from close range. Midfielder runner
Dave Travell set off on a mazy dribble before finding debutant Kelan
Ford to slot home from the edge of the circle. U’s were on top form
and Pollock helped himself to a brace to put the home side in full
command at the break. |
| October 31st | No Report |
| November 7th | No Report |
| November 14th | No Report |
| November 21st | No Report |
| November 28th | No Report |
| December 5th |
Upminster travelled to the coast looking to end their run
of five straight defeats against fellow strugglers Old Southendians. Much
of the early part of the game was a midfield battle as both sides showed
plenty of determination but not a lot of quality. As the half developed,
the hosts started to take a greater share of possession. After absorbing a
long spell of pressure, U's broke quickly and Phil Hudson won his side a
penalty corner. Nigel Emes' strike at goal was stopped by a defender's
foot on the line and Steve Pearce converted the resulting penalty stroke.
Old South were briefly on the ropes and barely a minute later good link up
play from Dave Travell and Pearce put Hudson clean through and he cooly
finished to make it 2-0. For nearly all of the second half it became a game of defence versus attack but the U's defence were in fine form with DOM Nathan Woods and MOM John Appleton in particular were outstanding. The excellent defending meant that for all their possession and pressure, Old South had precious few shots on goal but when called upon U's keeper Nigel Johnstone was up to the task. With ten minutes to go the hosts finally scored to set up a tense finish. U's responded well and but for a magnificent clearance on the goal lines, Emes would have wrapped up the points with a late corner strike. U's managed to see out the clock and record a hard earned victory. |
| December 12th | No Report |
| January 16th | No Report |
| January 23rd | No Report |
| January 30th | No Report |
| February 6th | No Report |
| February 13th |
No Report |
| February 20th |
No Report |
| February 27th | No Report |
| March 6th |
No Report |
| March 13th |
No Report |
| March 20th | No Report |