Happier times at the Hall for Tes 'the cat' Bramble

With Mark Bentley's appeal against his harsh red card at Colchester United having failed, the influential midfielder sat out the first of a three-game ban with Lewis Hunt taking his place alongside skipper Kevin Maher. Other than that Steve Tilson's starting line-up matched the one which slipped to a 4-0 defeat at Darlington six days earlier with new loanee frontman Freddy Eastwood settling for a place on the bench.

In what was a very satisfying first half for the home side it was, needless to say, Southend who created the early openings and looked the most lively up front. Boston were not a bad side - we've certainly met worse this season - but the Shrimpers outplayed them with some fantastic positive passing football.

Indeed, with just 15 minutes on the clock, the home side took the lead. A low ball in from the right flank by Wayne Gray fell to Mark Gower who, six yards from goal, turned his marker before stabbing the ball home. (1-0)

As Southend continued to press forward a fine move involving all but two navy blue shirts culminated in Hunt smashing Carl Pettefer's centre into the arms of erractic goalkeeper Nathanel Abbey before Gower hit a shot wayward after more fine build-up play.

It was on 22 minutes that the lead was deservedly doubled. This time Gray chased down a through ball before closing in on Abbey and confidently placing a low finish into the bottom right hand corner. (2-0)

As Gray, who produced his best performance since arriving from Milton Keynes Dons in the summer, turned provider, Bramble miskicked in front of goal as Southend went in search of further goals.

However, with Southend looking likely to go on and chalk up a comprehensive victory, the game changed just moments before half time when goalkeeper Flahavan was sent-off after he raced out of his area only to handle a high bouncing ball. Unfortunately, Rayford Lee - the assistant who spotted the incident - was totally correct and referee Kevin Woolmer was left with little option.

With no substitute keeper on the bench and Bentley - the man nominated to take over in such a situation banned - it was brave striker Bramble who volunteered to take over the green jersey.

Half time: Southend United 2 Boston United 0

Of course, with Bramble having taken residence between the sticks, the Shrimpers were left with Gray as a lone man upfront. The pacey striker worked his socks off, but needless to say Southend attacks were now very limited and, in an attempt to protect Bramble as best as possible, the Shrimpers had everybody back defending whenever the visitors won a free kick or corner.

Things were made all the more difficult when Boston pulled a goal back just four minutes after half time, nippy striker Andy Kirk poking the ball past Bramble from close range after Courtney Pitt had cut into the area. (2-1)

It was down, largely, to the heroics of Bramble which kept Southend infront however, as the stand-in shot-stopper made some fine saves which kept his side in the lead.

One particularly impressive effort saw Pitt's curling free-kick acrobatically turned around the post, whilst Bramble also did well to hold onto efforts from Kirk and Paul Ellender.

Other Boston efforts flew wide of the target, with Ellender and Pitt the main culprits whilst in a desperate bid the salvage a point even goalkeeper Abbey raced forward for a couple of late corners, and despite getting his head to one the ball dropped wide of the upright.

Man-of-the-match

CF/GK Tesfaye Bramble | Mins on pitch: 90 | Gls: 0 | Assts: 1 | Rtg: 9.5

The head was held high for Bramble this evening MotM: Bramble lazy? You what! Someone, somewhere, will be eating a huge slice of humble pie - in fact, I reckon the producers have got their work cut out now after a simply magnificent goalkeeping display from someone who is often accused of switching off, or of not taking the game seriously enough. At half-time, who was out there working hard at his shotstopping? Tes of course. He had put his hand up at the end of the first half to don Flahavan's unlucky number 13 shirt, and now he was living up to it. So, he let one in after four-and-a-half minutes - he's not a full-time goalkeeper, and besides, even if he did go over too quickly, at least he went. But after that it was simply inspired stuff. He looked comfortable in the air, even claiming balls that Flavs might not have got to. He dropped one, but got away with it, and looked reasonably comfortable between the sticks. Made two exceptional saves, the first from a Pitt free-kick which swung viciously around the 'wrong' side of the wall and Tes had to tip around the post; the second a rapid cross-shot that would have crept into the far corner were it not for Bramble's fingertips. Again, one Darryl might not have got to! And that is not to mention his play when he was up front alongside Wayne Gray. From two men who didn't even look like they knew where they were at the start of the season, two of the last three games - and with a distinct lack of service in the middle one at Darlington - they now appear on the same wavelength, and that can only be good for Blues. The exceptional outside of the right boot chipped pass for Gray to run onto and score was out of this world, and was not the first time that Tes has played a vital part in a goal in such a way.