Freddy Eastwood's fantastic first half goal gave Southend a huge victory in their toughest-looking match over the Christmas and New Year period as the Shrimpers sit three points clear of fifth spot and just four points behind third-placed Swansea City.

The match only just survived a 2pm pitch inspection, and the frosty surface meant that good football was at a minimum as many players clearly struggled to keep their footing.

Despite the conditions, Southend adapted the better early on and quickly created opportunities. Indeed with just five minutes on the clock United should have had a penalty when Roger Johnson blatantly handled a Mark Gower cross, bur referee Paul Melin waved away Southend's pleas.

Craig Faulconbridge rippled Bart Griemink's side netting with an angled drive before Southend pressurised again when Wayne Gray managed to weave himself into space before shooting into the arms of shot-stopper Frank Talia.

The all-crucial goal arrived on 17 minutes, Eastwood pouncing on an error by Johnson before beating two defenders and firing a brilliant low shot past Talia at his near post. (0-1)

In a first half which quickly saw chances, and indeed many passes, peter away, Southend had a huge slice of luck on 35 minutes. Stephen Cooke drifted a corner into the six yard box when Faulconbridge headed onto the underside of the bar before turning around and accidently clearing his own effort off the line with his hand.

Half-time: Wycombe Wanderers 0 Southend United 1

Steve Tilson's side seemed to sit back on their slender advantage in the second half, but the more Wycombe came at United, the more confidently the visitor's seemed to deal with the pressure.

Ian Stonebridge sent a low shot zipping into Griemink's grasp ten minutes after the break, before the big Dutchman somehow managed to to push a Faulconbridge header, from a Cooke corner, onto the post before Che Wilson bundled the ball clear.

The final chance of a half with few chances saw Andy Edwards, recalled for the injured Spencer Prior, whose looping header from a Maher flag kick dropped onto the top of the crossbar.

The victory meant a third successive 1-0 win for United who now confront a double of home games against Mansfield Town and Rushden & Diamonds before travelling to bottom-placed Kidderminster Harriers.

MATCH FACTS
WYCOMBE WANDERERS...(0) 0 SOUTHEND UNITED…(1) 1
Division Three, Sunday, 26^th December 2004 @ Adams Park

Line-ups:
The Chairboys (4-4-2; navy and sky quartered shirts, navy shorts, sky socks):- Frank Talia; Gus Uhlenbeek, Roger Johnson, Tony Craig, Mike Williamson; Keith Ryan, Danny Senda, Stephen Cooke (Clint Easton 81), Craig Faulconbridge; Nathan Tyson, Ian Stonebridge. Unused subs - Gary Silk, Stuart Nethercott, Matt Bloomfield, Steve Williams.

The Shrimpers (4-4-2; red with white trim, white, white):- Bart Griemink; Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Andy Edwards; Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Carl Pettefer, Mark Gower (Lawrie Dudfield ht); Wayne Gray, Freddy Eastwood. Unused subs - Nicky Nicolau, Jim Corbett, Tesfaye Bramble, Darryl Flahavan.

Goal: Southend: Eastwood 17 (great run and low shot past Talia at near post; inside area; timed at 25:16).
Bookings: Southend: Edwards (65 - foul).
Sent-off: None.
Total Goal Efforts: Wycombe 10, Southend 6
Shots/headers on target: Wycombe 2, Southend 3
Shots/headers off target: Wycombe 4, Southend 2
Blocked shots: Wycombe 2, Southend 0
Hit Woodwork: Wycombe 2, Southend 1
Corners: Wycombe 5, Southend 4
Free Kicks: Wycombe 17, Southend 7
Caught Offside: Wycombe 1, Southend 4

Match Time:
First Half: 46:05. Second Half: 47:20. Total: 93:25.
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 1 minute (Actual: 01:05), Second Half: 2 minutes (02:20)

Referee: Paul Melin (Surrey FA), 6 out of 10 (General Control 3/5, Application of Laws 1/3, Personality & Appearance 2/2)

Attendance: 5,669 (approx 1,600 away fans)

Mark Wallis

NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties.

GK Bart Griemink | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 8

Three cleans sheets in a row. Surely this can't be true! Well it is and Bart Griemink has had a lot to do with it notably the penalty save at Bury a few weeks back. Today Griemink looked very good yet again. Although I'm not entirely sure what happened in the goal mouth scramble where Wycombe thought they had scored Griemink came out with the ball and apparently done well to prevent Wycombe from equalising. Griemink also commanded his area very well and today his kicking was far better than I have ever seen as not one of his kicks went into touch.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Hunt is becoming more and more comfortable with the right-back position with every game he plays and now with the extended absence of Duncan Jupp he looks set to continue to do so. Not only has Hunt helped the defensive side of the team but he has now learned to contribute to the attack by making overlapping runs. As he plays more at right-back he will learn through experience when and how to get back and forth on the right side of play. Although Gower played only half a game he seems to be linking up well with his right sided partner.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

MotM: In the second half today Barrett was an absolute rock as the Chairboys pilled on the pressure in an attempt to get a point. Barrett put in his tackles, cleared the ball and as usual decided to go on a great run with the ball as, in my opinion is one of the best dribblers in the team. However Barrett's defensive work really caught the eye today as he seemed to deal with all aerial threats with ease. Although only 24 Barrett looks like a player well over his years such is his experience on and off the ball. His time of captaincy at Bristol Rovers appears to have served him well and it is turning into a massive asset for the Shrimpers as Barrett's very good season continues.

CB Andy Edwards | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Spencer Prior was announced unavailable through illness and veteran defender Andy Edwards was the natural replacement in the central defensive position. 'Eagle' proved his experience by staying strong during defensive spells in the second half although still appears to lack composure when on the ball as most of his clearances happen to go into touch. The former Rushden man also got cautioned for dissent after a Lewis Hunt foul. However Edwards is a more than competent defender for most League 2 sides.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Left-back Che Wilson again completed the excellent defensive line up and Wilson seems to be enjoying his football at the moment. Today Wilson continued to show his improvement as he made crucial clearances and defended well at all stages of the game. Wilson's blocks and interceptions are proving crucial in games and his defensive skills steadily improve. Wilson showed his importance to the team by clearing the ball off the line.

RM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 45 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Gower only played half of the match as he was substituted at the break for Lawrie Dudfield. Gower, possibly carrying a knock, was rarely involved in the first half attacks and saw very little of the ball. Gower done very little, both right and wrong.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5

Unfortunately the Blues skipper was not at his best as he still appeared lacklustre weighed down from yesterday's turkey. Maher's usually brilliant passing was no where near it's best all the Southend skipper failed to find a red shirt on a number of occasions. Maher also lacked composure on the ball as wanted to distribute the ball far too quickly rather than calming with possession and then moving the ball to the next Southend player. However a positive to Maher's game was, again, his set pieces, notably corners. At one stage in the second half three corners were very well delivered in succession.

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Bentley was again tough in the midfield like he has been for more or less the whole of the season. He went in with many challenges in the game and competed really well in the air. Although he didn't offer as much going forward the ever-energetic Bentley continues to improve at Southend. As he approaches a year by the seaside the former Dagenham man can be very pleased with his progress.

LM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Carl Pettefer continued to look good after being singled out for praise from manager Steve Tilson after the game against Chester City. Pettefer continued to work hard in the cold weather. Pettefer's defensive work should be commended as he got back and helped the defence especially in the second half.

CF/RM Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

It was a game of two halves for Gray today as he was moved to the right wing in the second from his favoured strikers position in the first half. Gray almost opened the scoring as he burst through the Wycombe defence only to be foiled at his feet by keeper Frank Talia. However in the second half, Gray failed to get into the game and saw very little of the ball. However his creativity in the first half meant that his second have performance was put towards the back of the mind.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

And so the role carries on. Another game, another goal for Eastwood who makes it an amazing 10 goals in 14 appearances. His goal was another great strike as he capitalised on Roger Johnson's slip before striking low into the Wycombe net. Eastwood continues to show great ability in his feet and his pace worried the Chairboy's defence throughout. The one criticism most Southend fans' would have is Eastwood's inability to distribute the ball at the right times. If Eastwood had of picked Dudfield out rather than shooting mid-way through the second half Southend would surely had of taken a two goal lead. Despite this supporters can have few complaints with Freddy's overall game.

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 45 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Dudfield replaced Mark Gower at half time and went up front as Wayne Gray took Gower's wide position. It was difficult for Dudfield as he saw very little of the ball in a second half because of Southend's defensive stance. However the Blues number 11 fought hard and didn't give anything up. He could have had a goal if Eastwood had of chose to cross the ball instead of shooting. Dudfield will continue to push for a first team place and may find himself starting over the rest of the hectic Christmas and New Year period.

Matt Donohue