Eastwood on fire when Blues hanged out the Monkeys

Southend United 3 Hartlepool United 0; Saturday, March 25, 2006.

The boy Freddy added another brace to his already growing collection of strikes, as well as an unsustainable performance.

But first, Mark Gower fancied gaining some fans, and he didn't spare much time in doing so. Straight from the kick-off the ball came long from Efe Sodje before Luke Guttridge's cross was slipped past two 'Pool defenders for Gower, whose last goal at Roots Hall came in a 2-0 victory over Swindon back in January, and he made no mistake - easily tucking the ball low and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and the desperate lunge of a defender.

Shortly after, and it was two goals to none…or so Southend thought. As a low left footed drive by Eastwood fizzed off of the surface and was parried by Konstantopoulos, Lee Bradbury pulled the ball back into the danger zone from the by-line for Shaun Goater to side foot home from close range. However everyone was quick to spot the linesman's raised flag - whether it should have risen is debatable.

However as the Blues were still frustrating amongst themselves about the disallowed goal, Michael Proctor did his utmost to shut everybody up. His spectacular 30-yard volley certainly had Darryl Flahavan shocked - as the ball dipped viciously towards goal, hitting the crossbar and rebounding into play.

However that was probably the closest Hartlepool got to a goal other than a couple of long range efforts, and the Blues were back on the offensive with a vengeance. Freddy Eastwood was the man with all of the chances: firstly striking a swerving free-kick around the wall and straight at the goalkeeper, before scuffing a half-volley wide of the goal following a nice lay-off from Goater.

For whatever reason, Goater seemed to be in party mood as he appeared hungry to do many party-flicks and back heels - something I have previously not seen from him, but something that adds a new dimension to his game.

After Joel Porter had escaped the attentions of Adam Barrett and forced Flahavan into a low save, Captain Kevin Maher was extremely unfortunate to have won the Shrimpers a penalty. Having chased up a pass back from Darren Williams, the ball bounced off of the goalkeeper's knee, and as Maher attempted to take the ball around him, he was upended inside the penalty area, but referee Janal Singh said that it was no penalty.

What I have failed to previously inform you of is the fact that Maher, aka legend, was already on a yellow card and he certainly didn't fall over unaided. In which case, surely the 9-year-club-servant should have been issued with a second yellow card? Someone tell me please. Matters probably weren't helped by the fact that Singh, who is incredibly slow I can coin with confidence, was a full 35-yards away from the incident when it took place.

However, five minutes into the second half, justice was done. Konstantopoulos was again found horrendously out of position as his defender played a backpass towards the corner flag, and the Greek custodian duly smashed his low clearance straight into the feet of Eastwood who was standing six yards away. However the goalkeeper was unfortunate - not only did Eastwood respond with the pace of Henry, he also stuck the ball into the near post at a tight angle with the accuracy of the Frenchman.

Hartlepool really should have scored shortly afterwards though, as Southend were caught on the counter attack. However following an unselfish pass from Porter to beat the brave attempts of Adam Barrett to contain two men, Ritchie Humphreys touch let him down - the ball bouncing up off of his knee and into the grateful hands of Darryl Flahavan. Adam Barrett have intimidated the former Sheffield Wednesday striker has he stomped towards him, but there was no excuse for the mistake.

Joel Porter then managed to miss an incoming cross from the right when a touch would have sent the ball into the goal, before a certain 22-year-old striker tied up proceedings.

After substitute Lewis Hunt played the ball into his feet, Eastwood turned on a sixpence before whacking an unstoppable 25-yard shot that flew past the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net. The goalkeeper really did have no chance, and Freddy struck it on his supposed weaker foot! However the power and accuracy would suggest 'weak' is the wrong word for Freddy's left foot.

With the game coming to it's close, Eastwood then tried for his third hat-trick of the season, meeting Lee Bradbury's cross with a looping header towards the far corner that forced Konstantopoulos into a superb save, tipping over the bar.

In the final moments of the game, Goater headed straight at the Hartlepool custodian before Steve Turnball's shot was acrobatically caught by the ever-dependable Flahavan.

Another sure performance from the home side, and the way things stand, a couple more will see Southend United back in the league they last stepped foot in ten years ago.

(Report reprinted from TLG by Adam Duffill on March 26, 2006.)

Coca Cola League One, Saturday, 25th March 2006 @ 15:00; Roots Hall Football Ground
Gower 2 Eastwood 51, 71
Starting Line-ups 1 Flahavan 7 3 Wilson 6 6 Barrett 7 2 Jupp 7 22 Sodje 8 16 Guttridge (Hunt 79) 7 7 Gower (Gray 83) 7 8 Maher (Bentley 80) 7 9 Goater 6 19 Bradbury 7 23 Eastwood 9 Substitutes 11 Pettefer 4 Hunt (Guttridge 79) 12 Bentley (Maher 80) 20 Lawson 10 Gray (Gower 83)	15 Goal Attempts 9 7 On Target 4 8 Off Target 4 0 Hit Woodwork 1 3 Offsides 0 6 Corners 2 14 Fouls 14	Starting Line-ups 1 Konstantopoulos 5 5 Nelson 6 16 Clark 7 8 Humphreys 5 18 Robson (Boyd 65) 6 24 Butler 6 22 Bullock 6 23 Williams, D 6 36 Turnbull, S 7 6 Proctor 7 9 Porter (Williams 73) 7 Substitutes 32 Davison 2 Barron 34 Maidens 11 Williams, E (Porter 73) 10 Boyd (Robson 65) 6
	Referee J Singh, Middlesex Attendance 8496
	Southend Utd. Cards Maher 15 unsporting behaviour Bradbury 39 unsporting behaviour Hartlepool U. Cards Turnbull, S 18 unsporting behaviour