Shrimpers sunk the Glovers at last!

The Shrimpers first ever victory over the Somerset based club came on December 11th, 1982 at Roots Hall, but in the F.A. Cup, 2nd Round.

Still, this followed two 1-0 defeats on Yeovil's famous sloping pitch in 1958 and 1963, the first a replay after a goalless draw in Essex.

We may not have been in the same league, literally, as many of the the Glovers more famous cup exploits, but impressive all the same.

There was then a 21-year wait until November 15th 2003, and a 4-0 set back in Division 3 setting off a nightmare sequence of four successive defeats that only stopped with the game detailed below!

Playing in the match for Yeovil included present manager Terry Skiverton and former Shrimpers Nathan Jones and Efe Sodje. The team also included Chris Weale, Liam Fointaine, Kevin Amankwaah, Arron Davies, Lee Johnson and Phil Jeavons.

Ironically enough this set off four unbeaten matches of our own, including a hat-trick of wins at Huish Park, before 2009 brought two more 1-0 defeats!

Southend United 4 Yeovil Town 1 (Tuesday, September 27th, 2005)

Southend staged a remarkable second-half recovery to finally end their jinx with Yeovil.

The Blues had not beaten Town since 1982 but four goals in the second half stretched their unbeaten run to six games.

Yeovil quickly tested their hosts when former Blues man Nathan Jones' free-kick picked out Pablo Basianini eight yards out. The Argentinean turned but saw Darryl Flahavan push the shot out for a corner.

Efe Sodje then twice came to Yeovil's aid when dangerous balls threatened their defences. First the centre-back got a timely tackle in to rob Shaun Goater before reading Luke Guttridge's ball over the top to again beat Goater to the ball.

But the tackle on Goater forced Sodje to limp off after 19 minutes. (Surprise, surprise, bless!)

The defender was replaced by Colin Miles, who quickly found himself gifting Southend their best chances of the half. The substitute scuffed a clearance from Andy Edwards' cross which led to Wayne Gray and Goater firing in shots which were deflected, before Mark Bentley's follow-up flew over the crossbar.
But it was still last season's League Two champions who created the better chances, with Jevons heading over at the far post on 22 minutes and Darren Way seeing his 25-yard half-volley rebound off the crossbar.

Arron Davies then tried a 30-yard effort which forced a save from Flahavan before the Blues replied with Guttridge rifling wide from a similar distance.

But the visitors took the lead after Shrimpers skipper Kevin Maher brought down Jevons 25 yards out. The striker's free-kick sailed into the top left-hand corner on 45 minutes for his second goal of the season.

Southend blew a great chance to level two minutes after half time when Gray made a tremendous solo run upfield, but after beating two defenders he fired his shot straight at Chris Weale.

That was as good it got until Guttridge levelled for the Blues with a fine dipping left-foot shot from 25 yards from Maher's free-kick on 60 minutes.

Sixty seconds later Jevons forced a save out of Flahavan but then the hosts, who went into the game joint top with Swansea, finally grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Gray headed a Maher free-kick wide on 67 minutes and two minutes later Goater's header found the striker at the far post and he slotted the ball under Weale for his sixth goal of the season.

Gray then turned provider to set up Mitchell Cole for a hooked shot that went narrowly wide. And minutes later Gray was at it again as he ran to the byline and squared across the face of goal, only for substitute Freddy Eastwood to blaze over an open goal from four yards.

But last-season's top scorer Eastwood made amends on 88 minutes when he fired across Weale into the right corner of the net after being released by Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who was making his Blues debut following a three-month loan from Rotherham.

Eastwood then snatched his third of the season two minutes into injury time when he picked up a loose ball from Jay Smith and calmly fired past Weale from 12 yards.

(Report by www.football.co.uk)

Shrimpers player marks by Martin Paterson

Darryl Flahavan - 7

Did ok in-between the sticks although his kicking was not up to its normally high standards. He didn't have a chance with the free kick, which was well taken, although the free kick should never have been given.

Lewis Hunt - 7

Another solid performance from Hunt, who made sure that the Yeovil wingers were not going to have a field day against him. He also did well going forward making some great overlaps down the right.

Andy Edwards - 8

I don't think Iv seen Eagle play this well for a long time. Was solid in all areas of his game. Iv certainly never seen him put in so many crosses from over hit corners. Was magnificent at the back and is deservedly keeping his place.