Kevin Maher - Looked as though he'd already made the move to Orient
Once again, manager Rob Newman decided that the three contract rebels should start the game, although given the depth of Southend's injury crisis he wasn't given any other option. Yet again most of the abuse from Blues fans was centred on midfielder Kevin Maher, who looked as though he had already made his move to Orient after a second successive abject display in the middle of the park. He was more crab-like than usual, barely passing the ball forward all night until eventually the Blues faithful took to mock-cheering him each time he returned the ball to fellow non-committing Darryl Flahavan. Maher's tackles were often weak as he seemed to strive to make new friends at Brisbane Road and in the end he was cheered by the Orient crowd. At the games conclusion he raised his hands to the Shrimpers supporters in a gesture that appeared to signal the end of his United career.
But as much stick as Maher got, his former buddy in the centre-midfield role at Roots Hall, Carl Hutchings got much more. Understandably the chant from the North Terrace began, "There's only one greedy b*stard", but this was largely in recognition of Hutchings' excellent display in the red-and-white chequered colours of Orient. He took on the mantle of most influential midfield player as Blues struggled to get to grips with the opening of the game and the new formation they appeared to be playing. With Tony Richards added to the injury list on Saturday against Rochdale, Blues' squad contained just one fit striker, Barrington Belgrave, who ploughed a lone furrow during the first half. Southend played a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Stuart Thurgood and full debutant Marek Szmid taking it in turns to partner Bazza up front. This formation simply didn't work as the Essex side could not seem to build any kind of attack without a link man. Oh, to have had Ben Smith fit today. The make-up of the side could possibly have fitted his style of play today, but this was not to be. The first period was typical derby stuff as all of the hype surrounding the game since its original postponement on New Years Day was duly quashed by the nullification of both sides performances.
Blues were not creative as they
seemed content to continue the run of 0-0 draws that they had constructed over the past week. However, Orient started to threaten, and a cross from Southend reject Matt Lockwood was superbly headed clear by Leon Cort. Blues were not so lucky on twelve minutes as another ball in was not dealt with at all by the defence. Damon Searle and Brian Barry-Murphy were woefully out-of-position from a corner and somehow Kevin Nugent opened the scoring. With Searley backing off and no other defender within ten yards it seemed that the O's were destined to score and score they did, with Flahavan helpless at his near post.
You would have thought that this would have heightened Blues commitment, but this simply did not happen. Instead, the game became even more tedious as players became increasingly frustrated at top-level ref Rob Harris for his pernickety style. But again it was the home side who took the initiative with Iyseden Christie doubling their advantage after more strange defending by the Blues. This time the attack was built on the left flank and Stephen Broad, impressive on Saturday was found wanting as both he and Stu were dumbfounded by Christie as he jinxed passed them both twice and slotted past Flav. At this stage, Blues looked dead and buried and another 5-1 could have been on the cards, but the only remaining chance was thankfully misjudged completely by 'Judas' Hutchings.
The half-time interval saw Steven Clark and Mark Beard remain in the dressing-room for five and ten minutes respectively as the talk on the terraces was that they were to be brought on. It was also hoped that Newman
was giving the players a rollicking after their boring first-half display. The side appeared a good five minutes early in an apparent bid to gain support from the fans and to show some commitment. Such gestures can build bridges. Sure enough, as the ref blew his whistle to start the second half, Blues' fans got what they had wanted from the start with Szmid and Stu withdrawn to make way for Clark and Beardo, with Whelan pushed up front and Broady moved to centre-back to partner Cort.
The changes were evident straight away as the long balls thrust forward from the halfway line were almost always met by the head of Wheelie, whereas in the opening half they had come back with interest. Although Christie and Nugent were still dangerous on the break, Southend looked far more comfortable. Orient still created the opening opportunity though, a Hutchings shot from the edge of the penalty box which nearly crept under Flav's body.
However, with the pressure that now came with Clarky and Barry-Murphy down the flanks, Blues were pressing hard, and fifteen minutes in, Bazza struck a delightful shot from 16 yards which O's keeper Ashley Bayes managed to fingertip onto the bar. Buoyed by this injection of life into their performance, Blues committed more and more men forward until Barry-Murphy scored his first, and perhaps only, goal for the club, a superb shot from the same range as Bazza's had come. Bayes was helpless, thankfully the Orient fans speechless. 2-1 and Barry-Murphy was finally showing the skill of a player good enough to represent Eire at under-21 level.
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You would have thought that this would have heightened Blues commitment, but this simply did not happen. Instead, the game became even more tedious as players became increasingly frustrated at top-level ref Rob Harris for his pernickety style. But again it was the home side who took the initiative with Iyseden Christie doubling their advantage after more strange defending by the Blues. This time the attack was built on the left flank and Stephen Broad, impressive on Saturday was found wanting as both he and Stu were dumbfounded by Christie as he jinxed passed them both twice and slotted past Flav. At this stage, Blues looked dead and buried and another 5-1 could have been on the cards, but the only remaining chance was thankfully misjudged completely by 'Judas' Hutchings.
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was giving the players a rollicking after their boring first-half display. The side appeared a good five minutes early in an apparent bid to gain support from the fans and to show some commitment. Such gestures can build bridges. Sure enough, as the ref blew his whistle to start the second half, Blues' fans got what they had wanted from the start with Szmid and Stu withdrawn to make way for Clark and Beardo, with Whelan pushed up front and Broady moved to centre-back to partner Cort.
The changes were evident straight away as the long balls thrust forward from the halfway line were almost always met by the head of Wheelie, whereas in the opening half they had come back with interest. Although Christie and Nugent were still dangerous on the break, Southend looked far more comfortable. Orient still created the opening opportunity though, a Hutchings shot from the edge of the penalty box which nearly crept under Flav's body.
However, with the pressure that now came with Clarky and Barry-Murphy down the flanks, Blues were pressing hard, and fifteen minutes in, Bazza struck a delightful shot from 16 yards which O's keeper Ashley Bayes managed to fingertip onto the bar. Buoyed by this injection of life into their performance, Blues committed more and more men forward until Barry-Murphy scored his first, and perhaps only, goal for the club, a superb shot from the same range as Bazza's had come. Bayes was helpless, thankfully the Orient fans speechless. 2-1 and Barry-Murphy was finally showing the skill of a player good enough to represent Eire at under-21 level.
Despite Blues constant encampment in the home side's half, there was
still time for Hutchings (twice) and Christie to trouble Flav from middle-distance. The Blues custodian was equal to the task as he built on the latter part of his game against Rochdale. Southend were putting Orient under pressure, but there was little to show for it as Wheelie nodded wide from eight yards and was then, it seemed to be, pushed inside the area, but to no avail. By this time Wheelie was manfully carrying on after landing heavily on his shoulder in a 50-50 challenge on the goalline.
For all the Blue-shirted possession, there were no clear-cut chances, although Selley and Maher failed to strike shots from the edge of the box when well placed. Orient, desperate for the game to finish, took to spoiling tactics slowing the game down and making substitutions. After three minutes of injury time, Harris blew up to a chorus of jeers directed at Maher and Hutchings. Blues had not been able to break through, despite having all the possession. Even my Orient-supporting chum, Rob Langley, said that we should have got a second goal. But, alas, it was not to be.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com
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For all the Blue-shirted possession, there were no clear-cut chances, although Selley and Maher failed to strike shots from the edge of the box when well placed. Orient, desperate for the game to finish, took to spoiling tactics slowing the game down and making substitutions. After three minutes of injury time, Harris blew up to a chorus of jeers directed at Maher and Hutchings. Blues had not been able to break through, despite having all the possession. Even my Orient-supporting chum, Rob Langley, said that we should have got a second goal. But, alas, it was not to be.
Player ratings (4-5-1):- Flahavan 6; Broad 6, Cort 6, Whelan 7, Searle 6; Szmid 6 (Clark 46, 6), Maher 5, Selley 6, BARRY-MURPHY 7; Thurgood 5 (Beard 46, 6); Belgrave 6. Subs not Used : Gay, Forbes, Kerrigan.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com