Last time around, in mid-December, the Shrimpers were defeated 3-2 on the south coast as the Cherries came from a goal down at half time to reach the Third Round of the F.A. Cup; a match that highlighted one of the main reasons for previous boss Rob Newman’s sacking – the tactical inadequacies that allowed Bournemouth to prey on Blues sitting back on their lead. And since that time the Seasiders have won just once away from home – a single-goal triumph at Gay Meadow after Shrewsbury Town’s Cup heroics against Everton just ten days earlier, which has subsequently been followed by six consecutive losses.
But, as Stewart Robson takes caretaker control of his second away game, the omens do not look good. Sean O’Driscoll’s team have won six out of their last seven at home, and although they drew against Torquay United last time out at Dean Court, only two sides have visited the Fitness First Stadium and come away with the three points – eventual winners Bristol City in the LDV Vans Trophy and Bury all the way back in September in the Third Division.
And on the injury front, Robson once again has his problems. Despite netting in the Avon Insurance Combination victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday afternoon, Tesfaye Bramble is still doubtful for the contest with a groin strain. Mark Salter, who bagged the victorious strike over Leyton Orient three weeks ago, also appeared (ironically as Bramble’s substitute) in the reserve win, and he has sufficiently recovered to be included in the squad. Barrington Belgrave misses out with an ankle knock, but Mark Rawle, who played as a lone front man against Darlington, and Brett Darby complete the compliment of marksmen.
Further back, Jay Smith is out for the rest of the season, but Stuart Thurgood has joined him on the treatment table in the past week. The combative midfielder has been suffering from back spasms since the win against the Eagles and is doubtful, although both Gavin Strachan and Kevin Maher have been impressive in their displays over the past fortnight. Michael Kightly is also expected to travel, having narrowly missed out on making his senior debut seven days ago.
Neil Jenkins was also employed in the centre of the park as United beat the Quakers last Saturday and he could continue in that role should Robson decide to persist with the defensive 4-5-1 policy. In that system, both ex-West Ham United wide man Steven Clark and Darby are used as wingers, but if Jenkins reverts to his rather more favoured left-side of midfield position, then a straight choice between the two would be required. Daryl Plummer was once again full of running three days ago, and could rival Jenkins or Clark for that left-wing berth.
Defensively, Daryl Sutch returns to the set-up having attended to family business last weekend. Mark Beard, who has been troubled throughout the past fortnight with an illness, but who did come through Tuesday’s encounter, is available, and Ronnie Henry, the Tottenham Hotspur loan signing, joins the battle for the right-back role. Damon Searle continues virtually untroubled on the opposite side of the park.
In the middle, Leon Cort will almost certainly start, with a choice between Dave McSweeney, who has been singled out for praise by Robson recently, and Henry as his partner. Phil Whelan’s Southend career appears to be at an end, through injury as much as a lack of favour, and Stephen Broad is still not fit enough to complete a full ninety minutes. Despite Rob Newman’s promises just 24 hours before his sacking, it would appear that goalkeeper Danny Gay is unlikely to be handed another chance before the end of the season, so Southampton-born shotstopper Darryl Flahavan will line up between the sticks.
AFC Bournemouth will include Portsmouth defender Lewis Buxton for the last time tomorrow afternoon as he returns to Fratton Park following a three-month loan spell after the match. Jason Tindall will instantly replace him, although the 25-year-old defender will not be ready for Saturday’s fixture. Warren Feeney, one of the heroes of the F.A. Cup replay for the Cherries is out for the rest of the season, so ‘Big’ Steve Fletcher will lead the attack, with Australian Scott McDonald, a deadline day transfer from Premiership Southampton, a possibility as his partner. Wade Elliott and Garreth O’Connor provide the dangerous wide ammunition.
TEAM DETAILS
The Little Gazette Predicted Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Ronnie Henry, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Brett Darby, Kevin Maher, Gavin Strachan, Neil Jenkins, Mark Rawle, Mark Salter.
Full Southend United matchday squad: Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Mark Beard, Daryl Sutch, Ronnie Henry, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Brett Darby, Steven Clark, Gavin Strachan, Stuart Thurgood, Kevin Maher, Michael Kightly, Neil Jenkins, Daryl Plummer, Mark Rawle, Tesfaye Bramble, Mark Salter.
AFC Bournemouth (from): Neil Moss, Gareth Stewart, Neil Young, Stephen Purches, Carl Fletcher, Lewis Buxton, Warren Cummings, Phillip Gulliver, Wade Elliott, Marcus Browning, Garreth O’Connor, Danny Thomas, Steve Fletcher, James Hayter, Scott McDonald, Chukki Eribenne.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Richard Beeby (Northampton)
Assistant Referees: Martin Cassidy (Weston-super-Mare), Gary Chapman (Gloucestershire)
Beeby is in his fourth season as a Football League referee, and took charge of a Shrimpers match last in November of last year, when he booked Stephen Broad and Carlos Edwards in the Roots Hall fixture between Southend and Wrexham. During the course of the season, 61 people have had a similar fate, as well as seven more who have been sent off in Beeby’s 30 games. This includes six bookings and two players being given their marching orders in a fiery 0-0 draw involving Grimsby Town and Rotherham United. In February last year he officiated the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham Town without taking any names, although thirteen players in Seasiders matches were booked in two matches against Exeter City and Canvey Island the year before. His first match saw Mike Heathcote of Plymouth Argyle sent from the field in a 2-1 win for the Shrimpers. His career record is 127 games, 347 yellow cards and 29 reds.
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
Southend United 2 (Maher 40, Jenkins 42) Darlington 0 [attendance: 3,053]. Southend United line-up (4-5-1): Darryl Flahavan; Ronnie Henry, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Brett Darby (Mark Beard 85), Gavin Strachan, Kevin Maher, Neil Jenkins, Steven Clark (Stuart Thurgood 73); Mark Rawle. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Tom Jordan, Michael Kightly.
Scunthorpe United 0 AFC Bournemouth 2 (Hayter 49, Thomas 77) [attendance: 4,488]. AFC Bournemouth line-up (4-4-2): Neil Moss; Neil Young, Carl Fletcher, Lewis Buxton, Warren Cummings; Wade Elliott, Stephen Purches, Marcus Browning, Garreth O’Connor (Danny Thomas 46), James Hayter (Scott McDonald 88), Steve Fletcher (Philip Gulliver 90+3). Subs not used: Gareth Stewart, Chukki Eribenne.
Last Five Matches
AFC Bournemouth
W2-0 (away; Scunthorpe United; Hayter, Thomas)
D0-0 (away; Hartlepool United)
L1-2 (away; Cambridge United; Steve Fletcher)
D1-1 (home; Torquay United; Young)
W3-1 (home; Leyton Orient; Jones [o.g.], Hayter, Feeney)
Southend United
W2-0 (home; Darlington; Maher, Jenkins)
L0-2 (away; York City)
W1-0 (home; Leyton Orient; Salter)
L0-2 (home; Swansea City)
L1-2 (away; Hartlepool United; Sutch)
AFC Bournemouth (home)
D1-1 (Torquay United; Young)
W3-1 (Leyton Orient; Jones [o.g.], Hayter, Feeney)
W2-0 (Darlington; O’Connor, Hayter)
W2-0 (Exeter City; Holmes, O’Connor)
W3-0 (Swansea City; Hayter, O’Connor 2 [2 pens])
Southend United (away)
L0-2 (York City)
L1-2 (Hartlepool United; Sutch)
L0-1 (Kidderminster Harriers)
L1-2 (Macclesfield Town; Jenkins)
L0-3 (Wrexham)
2002/3 SEASON
AFC Bournemouth (overall [home])
Nationwide League Division Three
Played: 41 [20]
Won: 17 [12]
Drawn: 14 [7]
Lost: 10 [1]
Scored: 54 [35]
Conceded: 43 [16]
Goal Difference: +11 [+19]
Points: 65 [43]
Position: 4th [3rd]
F.A. Cup
Fourth Round: L0-3 (away; Stoke City)
Worthington Cup
First Round: D3-3 (L2-4 on penalties; home; Brentford)
LDV Vans Trophy
Southern Section Semi-Final: L1-3 (home; Bristol City)
Southend United (overall [away])
Nationwide League Division Three
Played: 41 [20]
Won: 16 [5]
Drawn: 3 [2]
Lost: 22 [13]
Scored: 43 [18]
Conceded: 54 [33]
Goal Difference: -11 [-15]
Points: 51 [17]
Position: 13th [21st]
F.A. Cup
Second Round: L2-3 (away; AFC Bournemouth [replay])
Worthington Cup
First Round: L1-4 (home; Wimbledon)
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: L1-6 (away; Swindon Town)
THE HISTORY
Last Meeting
AFC Bournemouth 3 (Steve Fletcher 39, Holmes 80, Browning 89) Southend United 2 (Bramble 42, Rawle 45) [attendance: 5,456; F.A. Cup Second Round replay; Tuesday 17th December 2002].
AFC Bournemouth line-up (4-4-2): Gareth Stewart (Chris Tardif 18); Neil Young (Derek Holmes 77), Carl Fletcher, Karl Broadhurst, Stephen Purches; Wade Elliott, Marcus Browning, Garreth O’Connor (Warren Feeney 66), Danny Thomas; Steve Fletcher, James Hayter. Subs not used: Narada Bernard, Jason Tindall.
Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Mark Beard, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Tony Scully (Jay Smith 85), Kevin Maher, Stuart Thurgood, Mark Rawle (Steve Tilson 61); Graeme Jones (Steven Clark 61), Tesfaye Bramble. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Stephen Broad.
Last Five Meetings
17th December 2002 – AFC Bournemouth 3 (Steve Fletcher 39, Homes 80, Browning 89) Southend United 2 (Bramble 42, Rawle 45) – F.A. Cup Second Round replay
7th December 2002 – Southend United 1 (Rawle 53) AFC Bournemouth 1 (Broadhurst 41) – F.A. Cup Second Round
23rd November 2002 – Southend United 0 AFC Bournemouth 1 (O’Connor 71 [pen]) – Third Division
21st March 1998 – Southend United 5 (Boere 59 [pen], 66, Thomson 62, 65, Clarke 88) AFC Bournemouth 3 (Stein 58, Bailey 75, Steve Fletcher 90) – Second Division
18th November 1997 – AFC Bournemouth 2 (Steve Fletcher 44, Warren 47) Southend United 1 (Dublin 5) – Second Division
The Complete Head-to-Head Record
2002/3 – H0-1 (League), H1-1 A2-3 (F.A. Cup)
1997/8 – H5-3 A1-2 (League)
1990/1 – H2-1 A1-3 (League)
1983/4 – H0-0 A0-1 (League)
1982/3 – H0-0 A2-0 (League), A2-0 (F.A. Cup)
1980/1 – H2-1 A1-2 (League)
1977/8 – H5-1 A3-0 (League)
1976/7 – H2-2 A0-2 (League)
1974/5 – H0-0 A0-0 (League)
1973/4 – H2-2 A3-1 (League)
1972/3 – H2-2 A0-2 (League)
1971/2 – A0-2 (F.A. Cup)
1970/1 – H1-2 A0-4 (League)
1968/9 – A6-1 (League Cup)
1965/6 – H1-2 A0-0 (League)
1964/5 – H2-1 A1-2 (League)
1963/4 – H1-1 A0-1 (League)
1962/3 – H0-0 A0-1 (League)
1961/2 – H0-0 A0-3 (League)
1960/1 – H0-0 A2-3 (League)
1959/60 – H3-0 A0-0 (League)
1958/9 – H2-0 A4-1 (League)
1957/8 – H2-0 A1-2 (League)
1956/7 – H2-1 A1-1 (League)
1955/6 – H4-1 A1-4 (League)
1954/5 – H2-2 A1-2 (League)
1953/4 – H2-1 A1-0 (League)
1952/3 – H0-0 A1-5 (League)
1951/2 – H1-0 A1-2 (League) H6-1 (F.A. Cup)
1950/1 – H6-1 A1-3 (League)
1949/50 – H1-0 A0-3 (League)
1948/9 – H0-0 A2-3 (League)
1947/8 – H0-2 A1-0 (League)
1946/7 – H2-2 A1-3 (League)
1938/9 – H2-2 A4-0 (League)
1937/8 – H1-0 A1-7 (League)
1936/7 – H0-0 A0-1 (League)
1935/6 – H3-3 A1-2 (League)
1934/5 – H0-0 A1-2 (League)
1933/4 – H1-2 A4-1 (League)
1932/3 – H2-1 A0-4 (League)
1931/2 – H1-3 A0-0 (League)
1930/1 – H4-0 A0-0 (League)
1929/30 – H4-1 A0-0 (League)
1928/9 – H4-4 A2-2 (League)
1927/8 – H3-0 A3-2 (League)
1926/7 – H0-3 A0-3 (League)
1925/6 – H3-0 A2-1 (League)
1924/5 – H3-0 A0-1 (League)
1923/4 – H1-1 A1-0 (League)
Summary
Overall
Southend United 35
AFC Bournemouth 37
Draws 29
In the League
Southend United 32
AFC Bournemouth 35
Draws 28
At Dean Court
Southend United 13
AFC Bournemouth 30
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com