Havering Ladies 2s began their new season with a spirited performance away to Southend & Benfleet 2s, narrowly losing 2–1 after a determined display from a squad of just 11 players.

Despite having no substitutes and with several members of the team playing through illness, Havering made a bright and confident start. Good teamwork and movement allowed the visitors to settle quickly, and their efforts were rewarded shortly before half-time.

Emma Isherwood created the breakthrough with an excellent cross into the attacking area, where Martine Purton was on hand to finish with a superb strike and give Havering a deserved 1–0 lead going into the interval.

The complexion of the match changed after the restart as Southend & Benfleet emerged with renewed purpose and began applying sustained pressure to the Havering defence.

Goalkeeper Sophie M produced several fine saves to preserve the advantage, while Wendy Schofield, Emilie Molloy, Nic Earl and Lottie D worked tirelessly at the back, repeatedly breaking down attacks and dealing with a succession of penalty corners.

Havering’s resistance was eventually broken when the hosts found an equaliser. Buoyed by the goal, Southend & Benfleet increased the pressure and went on to score a second to turn the match around.

Despite the setback, Havering continued to battle and refused to let the game get away from them. Sophia-Rae Ahmad, Martine Purton and Katie Mann worked hard in midfield, linking up with Sophie Bridger, Emma Isherwood and Rae Ahmad as the visitors looked for a route back into the contest.

Havering began to create more opportunities as the match entered its closing stages and pushed hard for an equaliser. However, despite some promising attacking play, they were unable to find the finishing touch needed to level the scores.

Although the opening fixture ended in a 2–1 defeat, the scoreline did little to diminish what was an encouraging first performance of the season. Playing the entire match without the luxury of substitutes, Havering showed resilience, commitment and excellent team spirit from the opening whistle to the last.

There were plenty of positives for the Ladies 2s to take from the performance as they turn their attention to their first home fixture of the new season.