THE WINNING HABIT

It wasn't a classic and Blues arguably were not at their best but winning ugly shows that this team have the ability to grind out results coupled with a determination not to be beaten . Hullbridge for their part belied their lowly league position playing without fear and with flair but ultimately a lack of cutting edge was their Achilles heel. Blues created scoring opportunities but were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping from ex Blue Lewis Green and inaccuracy in front of goal. Joe Paxman put Blues in front early on exploiting a square back line the perfect start , but any thoughts that the floodgates would open were quickly dispelled when Sports took the game to Blues.

Joao Carlos on his return to Parkside could have marked it with a goal inside the opening minute when he forced Danny Sambridge into a diving save grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

The visitors made a positive start so it was slightly against the run of play when Blues took the lead on six minutes. Anointed Chukwu chased down a long ball to the byeline Henry Lukombo looked to be in control but Chukwu won the ball laying into the path of Paxman shimmying into the box and sliding the ball under Green.

David Knight conjured up a volley from a tight position, Green doing well to turn over. Sports looked vulnerable to a ball over the top which Blues exploited to good effect in the opening quarter .

Sports were still in the game playing attractive passing football orchestrated by James Forrest, but all the good approach work was negated in the final third lacking an end result. In contrast Blues were capitalising in front of goal but not always on target. Aaron Gordon came close from the edge of the box lobbing just over. That was the story of the half Blues creating the openings and Sports with good approach but not troubling Sambridge.

HT 1-0

The second period started with the visitors making a concerted effort to get back on level terms, crucially winning the vital second ball against a subdued Blues but once again all the good approach work failed to elicit a clear cut opening .

Eventually Blues responded at last transitioning at pace and forcing Hullbridge back. Gordon after good work on the flank set up Knight - turning on a sixpence he sent in a low drive that whistled agonisingly wide of the upright. Mitch Hahn and Freddie Moncur seized control of midfield, Chukwu was making a nuisance of himself up front holding the ball up and bring others into play.

Paxman and Gordon made way for Kai Brown and Callum Watts adding further pace to the game , Watts looked hungry for the ball winning back possession in dangerous areas, Brown was also making an impact .

A rare chance fell to Carlos, well saved by Sambridge, but now the game was scrappy broken up by frequent stoppages disrupting the flow, but it was still Blues who looked more likely to increase their advantage putting Sports under pressure. Knight again went close from a free kick just outside the area and Brown was then denied after his goal bound effort was turned behind by Green. Ryan Sammons was next to try his luck played in by Watts he screwed his shot wide of the woodwork, the last real chance of the afternoon.

Not firing on all cylinders Blues still had enough to see off the threat from Hullbridge. Winning becomes a habit which Blues have embraced with a new found steely resolve characterised with a miserly defence that has only conceded six goals so far in this campaign, a clear improvement from previous years.

Next up is another tricky encounter at Great Wakering Rovers who will be eager to climb the table.

Sambridge, Joynes, Okonkwo, Clark, Moncur, Paxman (Brown 59),Hahn, Chukwu (Oyenugu 89), Knight, Gordon (Watts 64)

Subs not used :Wescott, McQueen