Southend were dealt a blow leading up to the match when it was realised keeper Neil MacPhee would miss the match with a dislocated finger which meant sacrificing striker Andrew MacIsaac to deputise in goal.

Benbecula on the other hand were missing influential midfielder Donald MacPherson so with both teams evenly matched on paper it would come down to who could play better under the pressure.

The opening ten minutes of the match belonged to Benbecula as they looked to out- pass their opponents and take an early lead.

Indeed Mark McRury had the ball in the net on five minutes but he was correctly judged offside.

This spurred Southend into action and they came close on 11 mins but Duncan MacQuarrie's header was tipped over the bar by the Benbecula keeper.

On 14 mins Sean MacInnes had a half chance but was always stretching to meet Mark McRury's cross and so headed over the bar.

With the game end to end Shonnie Steele had a couple of chances for Southend, the better coming from fine work between Duncan Allan Steele and Duncan MacQuarrie on the left but the cross was behind the striker and he failed to adjust his feet in time.

Benbecula were now soaking up the pressure and hitting on the counter attack but they faced a Southend defence determined not to concede.

Benbecula were given a warning on 26 mins when the upright saved them from going a goal behind after fine work again on the left by Duncan MacQuarrie forced a corner.

The out swinging corner found Ruairidh Steele at the back post and had he got more on the header it might have found the back of the net but it skimmed off his head and hit the post.

The break through duly came for Southend on 34 mins but had a touch of good fortune about it.

Fine play down the right led to a throw in which was taken by Roddy Campbell who received the pass back and sent in a cross which looked easy for the keeper to collect but the ball bounced off his chest and into the net, 1-0.

Southend grew in confidence after the goal and doubled their lead four minutes later.

A corner from the left was met by Duncan MacQuarrie at the front post but deflected towards the penalty spot were Duncan Allan Steele pounced to fire the ball high into the net.

Benbecula were struggling to cope with the Southend pressure and it was no surprise that a third was added on 44 mins.

Southend can be guilty of route one football at times but their third goal in this match was first class and an example of fine pass and move football.

The goal itself was created between 'senior' members of the team and one that should be an illustration to all young footballers.

DA Lindsay picked the ball up deep in his own half, drove into space before playing a one-two with Roddy Campbell on the left.

Lindsay then took one touch, had a look up and picked out Shonnie Steele at the back post for the striker to tap in from five yards.

Unquestionably this was the goal of the game and a sweet one for Southend who found themselves three goals in front.

With a minute remaining in the first half, Southend looked to be in control but there was still time for Benbecula to dampen their half time spirits by snatching a goal.

Andrew MacIsaac's inexperience in goal showed as he held on for more than six seconds and the ref awarded an indirect free kick.

Hector MacPhee stepped up and smacked the ball into the net to give his side a lifeline.

Southend's mood worsened as the ball failed to roll its full circumference before the shot was hit but with the ref focusing on the wall and offside the goal was awarded, 3-1 at half time.

For both managers the half time team talk was no doubt altered swiftly due to the goal scored/conceded on the stroke of half time.

Southend looked to build on their lead and not concede too early but with the second half a minute old this is exactly what materialized.

A lack of communication led to the ball breaking to Benbecula from a Southend throw in and a further mix up between Duncan Allan Steele and Ruairidh 'Alac' in the middle of the park allowed Hector MacPhee to pick the ball up, drive into the box and calmly side foot low past MacIsaac.

The momentum was now with Benbecula but they failed to turn possession into goals and it was Southend who came close to stretching their lead on the hour mark.

Norman John MacIsaac, who had an outstanding game at the back for Southend, rose above the Benbecula defence to head goalwards from a corner.

As the header bounced and looked to be going wide, Shonnie Steele was hovering at the post and looked to tap home but with the ball fizzing towards him it went through his legs and out for a goal kick.

Three minutes later and Benbecula were level. Southend were guilty of piling forward and after losing possession Benbecula broke forward through Colin MacPhail.

With the big man bearing down on goal, Norman John MacIsaac showed great pace and desire to tackle and get a toe on the ball.

Unfortunately for the big defender he failed to get enough on it to clear for a corner and instead the ball rolled into the path of Sean MacInnes and he drilled the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

With a point enough for Benbecula to clinch the league, the travelling Benbecula support were in party mood.

Southend however had other ideas and almost took the lead two minutes later.

Roddy Campbell's header from the edge of the box bounced up off the wet surface but was turned round the post by the Benbecula goalie.

Benbecula may have thought that a draw would be enough to clinch the league but Southend never give up without a fight and so took the game to Benbecula and seized the lead on 72 mins.

Determined play from the hard working Duncan MacQuarrie seen him put in a superb tackle on Iain MacInnes to win the ball and drive into the penalty box.

As the big No 9 looked to make an angle for the shot, Benbecula defender David 'Ginge' MacInnes put in a clumsy challenge from behind and the penalty was awarded.

The big defender was lucky to escape a second yellow for the foul and so stayed on the pitch.

Southend's top goal scorer Duncan Allan Steele stepped up and lashed the ball high into the roof of the net much to the delight of his team mates and Southend support.

The last twenty minutes of the match saw both teams battle for possession but neither could create any clear cut opportunities.

Sean MacInnes registered an effort on goal on 75 mins but MacIsaac saved well at his front post.

Duncan MacQuarrie's curled effort on 88 mins was as close as Southend came to increasing the lead and so the final whistle sounded with victory to Southend.

This was a much improved team performance by Southend with stand out players all over the pitch.

They must now keep the pressure on Benbecula with two wins out of two in the remaining league matches against Barra and North Uist and hope Benbecula slip up in their two remaining home fixtures.


Southend 4
Benbecula 3