|
The Cup, which sees teams from both the Central & East Division and the Wales & West section taking part has been split into four groups, with the winners contesting the semi-finals in the last week of March. Blues Twos have been placed with local rivals Colchester United (who they host on December 3rd), Luton Town, Northampton Town, Norwich City and Peterborough United. The format also allows for the Shrimpers to travel to north Essex on April 7th in the penultimate match of the Combination season. The 2003/4 campaign finishes on April 21st at home to Gillingham, unless the Seasiders are involved in the final of the Cup on May 12th.
In our commitment to reserve football here at The Little Gazette, as well as regular features, previews, match reports and a season preview later in the month, we hope to be producing a reserve team programme for home matches, filled with even more information. More on that as discussions continue. Keep you eyes peeled on www.thelittlegazette.com for the very best coverage of reserve team football at Southend United.
The Under-19 side, meanwhile, start their campaign with three away fixtures, firstly at Colchester United, then to East London rivals Leyton Orient and finally to Gillingham. The first home match is a week later on September 13th against Brighton & Hove Albion. In the week commencing October 11th, Blues Youths will participate in the first round of the Youth Alliance Cup. The final match of the regular season is on January 24th at Boots & Laces against Orient. After that, the youth team revert to Merit Division action based on their performance in the Youth Alliance League. This competition runs from February 14th to April 24th.
We at www.thelittlegazette.com intend to attend as many fixtures as possible in the upcoming Youth campaign, although due to our support at all Southend United first team matches, this is often restricted. Where we are at games in 2003/4, our unrivalled coverage will continue.
Southend United Reserves:
Wednesday August 20th: PHCL - Millwall (a)
Wednesday September 3rd: PHC - Luton Town (h)
Wednesday September 10th: PHCL - Luton Town (h)
Wednesday September 24th: PHCL - Reading (a)
Wednesday October 8th: PHCL - Norwich City (h)
Wednesday October 15th: PHC - Norwich City (h)
Wednesday October 22nd: PHCL - Crystal Palace (a)
Wednesday November 5th: PHCL - Queens Park Rangers (h)
Wednesday November 12th: PHC - Northampton Town (a)
Wednesday November 26th: PHCL - Northampton Town (a)
Wednesday December 3rd: PHC - Colchester United (h)
Wednesday December 10th: PHCL - Brighton & Hove Albion (h)
Wednesday January 14th: PHCL - Brentford (a)
Wednesday January 21st: PHC - Peterborough United (a)
Wednesday February 4th: PHCL - Wycombe Wanderers (h)
Wednesday February 18th: PHCL - Cambridge United (a)
Wednesday March 10th: PHCL - Peterborough United (a)
Wednesday March 24th: PHCL - Aldershot Town (h)
Wednesday March 31st: PHC - Semi-Final
Wednesday April 7th: PHCL - Colchester United (a)
Wednesday April 21st: PHCL - Gillingham (h)
Wednesday May 12th: PHC - Final
Key:
PHCL - Pontin's Holidays Combination League
PHC - Pontin's Holidays Cup
Under-19s:
Saturday August 9th: YAL - Colchester United (a)
Saturday August 23rd: YAL - Leyton Orient (a)
Saturday September 6th: YAL - Gillingham (a)
Saturday September 13th: YAL - Brighton & Hove Albion (h)
Saturday September 20th: YAL - Wycombe Wanderers (a)
Saturday September 27th: YAL - Queens Park Rangers (h)
Saturday October 4th: YAL - Brentford (h)
Saturday October 11th (w/c): YAC - First Round
Saturday October 18th: YAL - Portsmouth (a)
Saturday October 25th: YAL - Gillingham (h)
Saturday November 1st: YAL - Brighton & Hove Albion (a)
Saturday November 8th: YAL - Wycombe Wanderers (h)
Saturday November 15th: YAL - Queens Park Rangers (a)
Saturday November 22nd (w/c): YAC - Second Round
Saturday November 29th: YAL - Brentford (a)
Saturday December 6th: YAL - Portsmouth (h)
Saturday December 13th: YAL - Colchester United (h)
Saturday January 17th (w/c): YAC - Third Round
Saturday January 24th: YAL - Leyton Orient (h)
Saturday February 14th: MD - Matchday 1
Saturday February 21st: MD - Matchday 2
Saturday February 28th: MD - Matchday 3
Saturday March 6th (w/c): YAC - Fourth Round
Saturday March 13th: MD - Matchday 4
Saturday March 20th: MD - Matchday 5
Saturday March 27th: MD - Matchday 6
Saturday April 10th: MD - Matchday 7
Saturday April 17th: MD - Matchday 8
Saturday April 24th: MD - Matchday 9
*dates for the final stages of the Youth Alliance Cup have yet to be announced
Key:
YAL - Youth Alliance League
YAC - Youth Alliance Cup
MD - Merit Division
Of course, all fixtures are subject to short notice change.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com