(Article by Mark Wallis, The Little Gazette, Saturday March 22, 2003.)
Much to the relief of the Roots Hall crowd, Southend United finally got out of their losing rut in the best way possible, beating local rivals Leyton Orient by a single goal on Saturday afternoon.
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This vital victory however eases supporters worries about the Shrimpers getting dragged into a relegation dogfight. Southend are not completely safe by any means, but just one win from the seven remaining fixtures should see Rob Newman's men home and dry.
In a first half which saw the home side totally in control, winger Steven Clark, recalled into the side following Daniel Marney's return to Brighton & Hove Albion, was presented with a great chance in only the third minute. Great wotk by Neil Jenkins and Tes Bramble had put the ex-West Ham wideman clean through on goal, but with only the out-of-position goalkeeper Lee Harrison to beat, Clark bizarrely decided not to shoot and the chance was eventually lost.
Just two minutes later however and the deadlock was broken with what proved eventually to be the winner. A floated Damon Searle free kick was brought down by Bramble who turned and saw a shot pushed out by Harrison, however the ball only dropped as far as Mark Salter who had the simple task of stroking the ball into the unguared net. It was the young strikers first Football League goal, having joined United from Frome Town back in October.
Stuart Thurgood fired a fierce shot straight into the arms of Harrison following a neat Jenkins pull back before the first real opportunity that Orient created saw Matthew Brazier send a dipping volley inches wide of the upright after a Ciaron Toner free kick had been headed out by Leon Cort.
Thurgood saw another ferocious effort blocked after a good run by Clark before United custodian Darryl Flahavan did well to deny Gary Alexander after the big frontman had taken too much time despite having only the United keeper to beat.
Good work by Daryl Sutch saw him comprehensively hold off Billy Jones before lobbing a shot inches over the top and then following a Jenkins centre, Bramble knocked the ball on where Salter was on hand to volley at Harrison. United were let off the hook somewhat on 43 minutes when a Carl Hutchings cross saw Alexander head against the post from close range, with the ball bouncing kindling into the arms of a rather grateful Flahavan.
The last opening of the first period saw Harrison pull off a superb save to deny Jenkins' diving header from a well placed Searle cross.
Unfortunately the second half saw nothing in the way of chances for United as they just appeared to sit back on their slender advantage. This tactic has met huge critism from supporters this season, and had Orient provided better opposition, Southend could well have paid for their negative tactics.
Striker Lee Thorpe headed just wide on the hour mark befoew Matt Lockwood curld a 25 yard shot against the post and too be honest that was it for second half action until Jones shot wide after a decent run in stoppage time.
Orient were very poor in this game and indeed their supporters were clearly heard shouting for the head of manager Paul Brush, (well, well), and, thankfully for United, it appears that it could be the side from East London that gets dragged into the relegation mire and not our beloved Shrimpers.
SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Darryl Flahavan 6; Daryl Sutch 7, Damon Searle 7, Leon Cort 7, Stephen Kelly 6; Kevin Maher 6, Stuart Thurgood 6, Steven Clark 6 (Mark Beard 72, 6), Neil Jenkins 7; Tes Bramble 7 (Brett Darby 88), Mark Salter 8. Unused subs - David McSweeney, Tom Jordan, Daniel Gay.
LEYTON ORIENT (4-4-2):- Lee Harrison; Matt Joseph, Matt Lockwood, Billy Jones, Simon Downer (Kevin Stephens 66); Carl Hutchings, Ciaron Toner (John Martin 66), Andy Harris, Matthew Brazier (Jabo Ibehre 74); Lee Thorpe, Gary Alexander.
TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Salter.
It was very satisfying to see ex-Frome Town striker Salter net his first Football League goal and his overall performance certainly merited it. Indeed the young frontman got in positions that could have reaped more rewards and even in a second half that saw United under pressure Salter was still looking lively whenever the ball enetered the Orient half; continuously chasing down his opponents.
MATCH STATS -NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE - Sat, 22nd Mar.
Goal: Southend: Salter 5 (picked up loose ball and side-footed in from close range; inside area. Timed at 4 minutes 27 seconds).
Booked: Southend: Bramble (51 - foul). Orient: Downer (54 - foul).
Shots/headers on target: Southend 6, Orient 3
Shots/headers off target: Southend 5, Orient 9
Blocked shots: Southend 1, Orient 1
Hit woodwork: Southend 0, Orient 2
Free Kicks: Southend 16, Orient 14
Corners: Southend 2, Orient 5
Caught Offside: Southend 11, Orient 5
Match Time: First half: 47:00. Second half: 48:55. Total: 95:55. Attendance: 5,602 (approx 1,800 away fans).
Referee: Mark Warren (Walsall) 5 out of 10.