Report

A successful first Olympian League campaign for Maldon St Mary's came to a close with a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Southminster St Leonards, confirming fourth spot in Senior Division Two.

St Mary's may look back with some disappointment that they surrendered the top-spot they occupied at Christmas, but in what has been an extremely testing first season at a new level following promotion from the Mid-Essex League huge encouragement can be taken in a fourth-placed finish, whilst also not forgetting the fantastic run that took them to the final of the Essex Premier Cup, where narrow defeat at last hurdle by Holland was scarcely deserved.

With the Olympian League rumoured to re-shuffle for season 2009/10, it is currently unclear as to which division St Mary's will be playing in when we begin again in August, but wherever they are placed, promotion will undoubtedly be the key, and very realistic, aim.

This local derby, as usual at Southminster played on a carpet of a pitch, saw St Mary's enjoy the best of the game, eventually gaining a well-deserved point after Tom Broadhurst's 22nd goal of the season cancelled out Shaun Hull's opener for the hosts.

It was St Mary's who created the early openers with Alex Creasy, given an advanced role, the instigator as he first delivered a low free-kick which Broadhurst flicked into the gloves of the 'keeper before a dangerous cross saw Simon Walker's glancing header hacked off the line at the far post.

It was soon the turn of the recalled Gordon Wilson, operating in midfield alongside Justin Freeman with Matt Gladman and Sean Merchant both absent from the side defeated at Springfield seven days earlier, to test the home goalkeeper, with his 20 yard daisy-cutter well held.

As a goalless first half drew to a close, a good Freeman run resulted in a low shot pulled inches wide of the upright from the edge of the box.

Southminster's best period of the match arrived shortly after the interval. Am ambitious overhead kick flew wide while St Mary's 'keeper Lee Souster did well to cling onto a neatly flicked header.

Gordon Wilson responded for the visitor's, latching onto a Freeman knock back before taking a touch and firing agonisingly over the top from 20 yards.

It was the home side, however, who stole the lead with a well-worked move on 63 minutes, Hull completing a fine one-two with a comprehensive finish past Souster from eight yards.

Maldon were level within eleven minutes and not without a well-crafted move of their own as a terrific Alex Porter through ball found the run of Broadhurst who curled an impressive finish inside the near post from 15 yards.

The closing stages could have gone either way, but it was Southminster who had the better chances. Firstly eagle-eyed linesman Stuart Webb flagged correctly to rule out a goal before 'keeper Souster made two world-class point-blank range saves from Robbie Banks to keep the scores level and complete St Mary's season with a pleasing point.