Indeed, the ex-Colchester United gaffer is likely to take a more physical role on the bench alongside Stewart Robson as Southend look to end a torrid run of away form which has seen no points and just three goals from the last seven away matches. They will be comforted somewhat to see their opposition’s recent home record though, with just one win on their own patch in the past six outings. Last time out the Pilgrims secured a vital three points over fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow, and they will be a far from easy proposition as they battle to overcome the dreaded drop.
The Seasiders will have an enhanced squad to choose from as they visit York Street for the first time. Barrington Belgrave, who was surprisingly included on the substitutes bench as Blues demolished Torquay United by three goals to nil less than 48 hours ago, once again will travel with the side, but he is unlikely to oust either two-goal hero Mark Rawle or ex-Frome Town front man Mark Salter from the starting line-up. Tesfaye Bramble’s groin strain is still causing problems for the one-time Cambridge City man and he is not included.
In midfield, young first-year scholar Michael Kightly again gets the first-team experience as he provides cover for both the central and wide positions. Neil Jenkins smashed a late contender for goal of the season at Roots Hall on Saturday, and he is almost certain to start on the left-hand side of midfield, with Brett Darby and Steven Clark vying for the right wing role. In the centre, captain Kevin Maher and ex-Coventry City midfield man Gavin Strachan should have problems starting again. Stuart Thurgood awaits his opportunity to impress Wignall.
Further back, the right full-back position has been further boosted by Daryl Sutch’s return from illness. Should Robson and Wignall like; he may come straight into the side at the expense of inexperienced Tottenham Hotspur loanee Ronnie Henry, who has struggled to make an impact in that position. Mark Beard will also be itching for a chance to perform. On the other side, Damon Searle is a sure-fire certainty to start at left-back.
Leon Cort has fond memories of the only other meeting between the two sides – he powered a hat-trick of headers past Paul Bastock as the Shrimpers prevailed 4-2 just prior to Christmas, and he should display his talents again alongside Basildon-born Dave McSweeney. Tom Jordan misses the second of his three-match suspension whilst Stephen Broad should return on Wednesday as the reserves take on Barnet at the Hall. Darryl Flahavan will continue between the sticks with Danny Gay his understudy.
Matt Hocking, Mark Greaves and Stuart Douglas were all included in the Boston squad that defeated Shrewsbury on Saturday, and should figure today as well. Alex Higgins, a midfielder, is still unavailable though whilst former Shrimper Graeme Jones has no more than a 50-50 chance of performing. He has been in sustained training, but his hamstring is still struggling to recover in time for the match. Neil Redfearn, the ex-Barnsley man, is currently on form for the Pilgrims, as it Peter Duffield up front.
TEAM DETAILS
The Little Gazette predicted Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Daryl Sutch, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Steven Clark, Gavin Strachan, Kevin Maher, Neil Jenkins; Mark Salter, Mark Rawle.
Southend United squad: Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Mark Beard, Ronnie Henry, Daryl Sutch, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Damon Searle, Steven Clark, Brett Darby, Gavin Strachan, Kevin Maher, Stuart Thurgood, Michael Kightly, Neil Jenkins, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave, Mark Salter.
Boston United squad: Paul Bastock, Mark Greaves, Simon Rusk, Matt Hocking, Stuart Balmer, Ben Chapman, Neil Redfearn, Tom Bennett, Paul Ellender, Simon Weatherstone, Peter Costello, Richard Logan, Peter Duffield, Nicky Conroy, David Town, Stuart Douglas, Graeme Jones.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Mathieson (Stockport)
Assistant Referees: Martin Harris (Lincolnshire), Geoff Russell (Buckinghamshire)
Once again, despite this being the 36th match of the season for Mr. Mathieson, this is the first time that the Shrimpers will have come up against the Cheshire-based official, and he is just one shy of 100 yellow cards, with eleven reds to his name already. Last year the figures were similar (33 games, 95 cautions, seven sendings off) and in 2000/1 he did manage to reach 108 bookings. Mathieson has only refereed a Southend game once in the past six years – a 3-1 victory at Wigan Athletic in March as Blues were on the road to relegation. David Whyte was booked and also managed to score the last on that day.
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
Saturday 19th April 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three
Shrewsbury Town 1 (Lowe 72) Boston United 2 (Duffield 44, Redfearn 48) [attendance: 4,373]. Boston United line-up (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Mark Greaves (Simon Rusk 66), Matt Hocking, Stuart Balmer, Ben Chapman; Neil Redfearn, Tom Bennett, Paul Ellender, Simon Weatherstone (Peter Costello 81); Richard Logan, Peter Duffield. Subs not used: Nicky Conroy, David Town, Stuart Douglas.
Saturday 19th April 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three
Southend United 3 (Rawle 2, 40, Jenkins 88) Torquay United 0 [attendance: 3,594]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Ronnie Henry (Mark Beard 72), Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Brett Darby, Gavin Strachan (Stuart Thurgood 87), Kevin Maher, Neil Jenkins; Mark Salter, Mark Rawle. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Barrington Belgrave, Steven Clark.
Last Five Matches
Boston United
W2-1 (away; Shrewsbury Town; Duffield, Redfearn)
L0-1 (home, Hull City)
L2-3 (away; Leyton Orient; Logan, Redfearn)
D3-3 (home; Wrexham; Duffield 2, Redfearn [pen])
D1-1 (away; Torquay United; Angel [pen])
Southend United
W3-0 (home; Torquay United; Rawle 2, Jenkins)
L0-1 (away; AFC Bournemouth)
W2-0 (home; Darlington; Maher, Jenkins)
L0-2 (away; York City)
W1-0 (home; Leyton Orient; Salter)
Boston United home form
L0-1 (Hull City)
D3-3 (Wrexham; Duffield 2, Redfearn)
D1-1 (Rushden & Diamonds; Jones)
W1-0 (Darlington; Greaves)
D0-0 (Carlisle United)
Southend United away form
L0-1 (AFC Bournemouth)
L0-2 (York City)
L1-2 (Hartlepool United; Sutch)
L0-1 (Kidderminster Harriers)
L1-2 (Macclesfield Town; Jenkins)
2002/3 SEASON
Boston United (overall [home])
Nationwide League Division Three
Played: 43 [21]
Won: 12 [9]
Drawn: 13 [6]
Lost: 18 [6]
Scored: 50 [31]
Conceded: 54 [21]
Goal Difference: -4 [+10]
Points: 45 [33] (four points deducted for financial irregularities)
Position: 19th [12th]
F.A. Cup
First Round: L2-3 (away; Northampton Town)
Worthington Cup
Second Round: L1-5 (home; Cardiff City)
LDV Vans Trophy
Second Round: L1-2 (home; Bristol City)
Southend United (overall [away])
Nationwide League Division Three
Played: 43 [21]
Won: 17 [5]
Drawn: 3 [2]
Lost: 23 [14]
Scored: 46 [18]
Conceded: 55 [34]
Goal Difference –9 [-16]
Points: 54 [17]
Position: 14th [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 (and Complete Match Record)
Saturday 14th December 2002 – Nationwide League Division Three
Southend United 4 (Cort 7, 23, 88, Rawle 39) Boston United 2 (Logan 57, Angel 64) [attendance: 3,245].
Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Mark Beard, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Tony Scully (Steven Clark 89), Stuart Thurgood, Kevin Maher, Mark Rawle (Steve Tilson 72); Tesfaye Bramble (Mark Salter 86), Graeme Jones. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Stephen Broad.
Boston United line-up (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Peter Costello, Matt Hocking, Stuart Balmer, Ben Chapman; Lee Thompson, Alex Higgins, Neil Redfearn, Mark Angel; Simon Weatherstone, Richard Logan (Stuart Douglas 79). Subs not used: Nicky Conroy, Tony Battersby, Ross Weatherstone, Jamie Cook.
Robert Craven