A disappointing afternoon for the Essex Bhoys, who, despite the greater possession in the game, failed to get going in front of goal. You have to go back to early October 2023 for a game where an opponent scored four or more goals against Catholic United in the league (Sungate 4-1 win) and even further back for four or more goal defeat where the Essex Bhoys didn’t score, May 2022 as Ongar Town win 4-0.

The 4-0 defeat this afternoon represented Springfields third win in fifteen matches against Catholic Utd since 2017. Sitting fourth at the start of the day, United, with two wins from two, had started the season as they wanted.

The game started with United dominating possession, being comfortable on the ball in the pouring rain. Both wings were being used well as passes were moving the home side out of position to close down, but the first chance of the game fell to the hosts. A long drive found Woody Wells acrobatically tipping the ball over the bar, a sign of what was to come perhaps.

United started to make in-roads and from a driving run by James Warder, his cross found Tom Kearney in the box but Springfield defended resolutely as three close range shots were blocked at close range before being cleared.

Before the half hour mark, the hosts broke the deadlock. The ball was clipped down the right, and as Wells came out to narrow the angle, the ball was slid across the goal for a tap in from close range. United, still keeping the majority of possession tried to get back into the game in the closing fifteen minutes of the half but failed to test the hosts young keeper.

Springfield 1-0 Catholic United

The second half couldn’t have started any worse for United, as Springfield doubled their lead with their very first attack, the half barely two minutes old. Again, the ball down the right was played in to the forward, and his early shot was saved by Wells, but as the hosts player at the back post cut inside, a toe-poke later saw the ball pushed into the roof of the net.

A third goal wasn’t far behind the second as United lost the ball in midfield, a direct run by the hosts forward had wrong footed Matt Wilson and a left foot shot gave Wells no chance. Manager Simon Thomas moved swiftly as Robinson, Froud and Baldwin entered the fray.
United, with twenty minutes remaining on the clock pushed forward, with Patrick Kearney seeing the ball a lot down the right-hand side, but his cross was headed over the bar by Dan Williams.

Warder went closest in the half as his dipping volley flew narrowly over the bar, and after three consecutive corners were eventually dealt with by the home side, a fourth goal came with nine minutes remaining. A corner was headed goal bound, and as much as Wells got a right hand to the ball, it fell to the hosts, and a tap-in put paid to a miserable rain-soaked afternoon for the visitors.

All eyes will now be focused on next weekend, with another away game, this time to second placed Harold Wood Athletic. This will be the 12th match against Harold Wood Athletic where another close game is on the cards. United have secured six wins, three losses and two draws in previous meetings between the sides, but two wins from two for Athletic this season proves they are an improving side.