Che Wilson returns to the club who sacked him while he was still skipper

The Pirates currently stand just a place above United in the Third Division table, with a 1-1 draw against Leyton Orient on Tuesday evening leaving them on the same amount of points as their southeast Essex counterparts once the Shrimpers had visited Boston United the following night, and returned with a 2-0 victory. Rovers’ goal difference is three strikes better than that of their visitors, so another two-goal triumph would be a dream scenario.

Steve Tilson was able to guide his charges to a second vital win inside five days against the Pilgrims, having previously overcome Macclesfield Town 1-0 at Roots Hall. At the same time Rovers were drawing one-apiece with Oxford United, an important result considering the West Country outfit’s recent form.

They have managed just three draws in the last six games, and their last triumph was at the end of January with a 1-0 scorelien enough to see off bottom-of-the-table Carlisle United. By contrast, in the last nine games Blues have lost just once, whilst away from home they have only lost to Leyton Orient since a mid-January defeat at Mansfield Town.

Much of their recent good form has been due to loan signing Lawrie Dudfield, who seems likely to be granted a day’s extension to his period at Roots Hall in order to play at the Memorial Ground. Dudfield has netted four times in his six matches so far for the Seasaiders, and seems eager to stay in the county. Northampton appear likely to part with the forward’s services only if United hand them a fee, so the stalemate continues over the weekend as both sides thrash out a settlement.

If Dudfield does remain, the strikeforce is likely to stay the same from the midweek side against Boston. Sixteen-goal Leon Constantine lined up alongside the Londoner on that day, and although neither netted, they both played their part in a convincing display. Indeed, both could have contributed a brace to the scoreline and still it would have been a fair reflection.

Drewe Broughton returns from a three-match ban suspension for his dismissal against Colchester United in the first leg of the area final of the LDV Vans Trophy, but is by no means guarranteed a spot in the starting line-up. Instead the cup specialist is likely to sit on the bench, with Tesfaye Bramble, who appeared as a late substitute at York Street, and James Corbett, who returned to the matchday squad that day, both pressurising the front runners.

Jamie Fullarton has been in training now for a fortnight, but the Scottish central midfielder has not gained any match practice and is therfore unlikely to be considered at all. As a result, Kevin Maher and Mark Bentley should continue in the middle of the park, wth the ex-Aveley playmaker netting his first professional goal in midweek with a well-crafted header.

Out wide, Neil Jenkins added his first goal of the current campaign to put pressure on Tilson and Paul Brush to select him after a disappointing run in the reserve team. Jenkins may be named on the left-hand side of midfield as a result, with Mark Gower switching to the right. Carl Pettefer would then miss out, but the Portsmouth loan player gave his most impressive display thus far three days ago.

In defence, Jamie Stuart is back from suspension, but his recent bout of poor performances mean that Che Wilson is a probable starter at left-back in his stead. Mark Warren was suffering from an illness in midweek, but he is out with a one-match ban tomorrow, neccessitating Leon Cort and Lewis Hunt to continue in the centre. Duncan Jupp will play at right-back, with Dave McSweeney covering all four positions. Darryl Flahavan should hold his place ahead of Carl Emberson.

Bristol Rovers will include loan signings Ryan Williams (from Hull City) and Lee Matthews (from local rivals Bristol City) in their starting line-up, with Victor Webb another new addition to the squad since the 1-0 victory in the League at Roots Hall just prior to Christmas. The Pirates have been employing a 5-3-2 formation recently, with midfielder Rob Quinn playing as a third central defender. Last season Tesfaye Bramble scored in a 1-0 win for Southend.

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire)

Assistant Referees: Keith Buller (Somerset) and Tony Horton (West Midlands)

This is Joslin’s fifth season on the Football League panel of referees, and since he regularly takes charge of First and Second Division games, he is relatively well thought of. As a result, he has not officiated a Southend or Bristol Rovers match this season, with his record for the current campaign standing at 28 matches, with 76 yellow cards and six of the red variety. The most explosive game was a 1-1 draw at the Bescot Stadium between Walsall and Cardiff City – Spaniard Zigor Aranalde and Cardiff’s Alan Lee receiving their marching orders after a contra tent. Joslin’s last Shrimpers outing was a happy day – a 3-1 win at Bury in which his linesmen ruled out two further goals for offside. Only three men went into the book.

TEAM FORM

Last Matches

Wednesday 3^rd March 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ York Street

Boston United 0 Southend United 2 (Mark Bentley 6, Neil Jenkins 65) [attendance: 2,780]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson; Carl Pettefer, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley (Dave McSweeney 89), Mark Gower (Neil Jenkins 55); Leon Constantine (Tesfaye Bramble 89), Lawrie Dudfield. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, James Corbett.

Tuesday 2^nd March 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient (Jabo Ibehre 47) Bristol Rovers 1 (Paul Tait 44) [attendance: 3,480]. Bristol Rovers line-up (5-3-2): Kevin Miller; Danny Boxall, Ijah Anderson, Adam Barrett, Rob Quinn, Kevin Austin; Dave Savage, Graham Hyde, Simon Bryant; Paul Tait (Junior Agogo 86), Lee Matthews (Ryan Williams 76). Subs not used: Ryan Clarke, Anwar Uddin, Lewis Haldane.

Last Five Matches

Southend United

W2-0 (away; Boston United; League Division Three; Mark Bentley, Neil Jenkins)

W1-0 (home; Macclesfield Town; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)

D1-1 (away; Bury; League Division Three; Leon Constantine)

L1-2 (away; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)

D1-1 (home; Colchester United; LDV Vans Trophy; Drewe Broughton)

Bristol Rovers

D1-1 (away; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Paul Tait)

D1-1 (home; Oxford United; League Division Three; Lewis Haldane)

L1-3 (away; Cambridge United; League Division Three; Adam Barrett)

D1-1 (home; Huddersfield Town; League Division Three; Graham Hyde)

L0-3 (home; Darlington; League Division Three)

Southend United away form

W2-0 (League Division Three; Boston United; Mark Bentley; Neil Jenkins)

D1-1 (League Division Three; Bury; Leon Constantine)

L1-2 (League Division Three; Leyton Orient; Lawrie Dudfield)

W3-2 (LDV Vans Trophy; Colchester United; Leon Constantine, Tesfaye Bramble, Drewe Broughton)

L0-1 (League Division Three; Mansfield Town)

Bristol Rovers home form

D1-1 (League Division Three; Oxford United; Lewis Haldane)

D1-1 (League Division Three; Huddersfield Town; Graham Hyde)

L0-3 (League Division Three; Darlington)

W1-0 (League Division Three; Carlisle United; Wayne Carlisle [pen])

W1-0 (League Division Three; Scunthorpe United; Wayne Carlisle [pen])

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])

Played: 34 [17]

Won: 11 [5]

Drawn: 6 [4]

Lost: 17 [8]

Scored: 32 [16]

Conceded: 44 [26]

Goal Difference: -12 [-10]

Points: 39 [19]

Position: 16^th [11^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: beat Canvey Island (away) 3-2 in replay after 1-1 draw at home

Second Round: beat Lincoln City (home) 3-0

Third Round: lost to Scarborough (away) 0-1 in replay after 1-1 draw at home

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Swindon Town (home) 2-3

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: beat Bristol Rovers (home) 2-1 after silver goal extra time)

Second Round: beat Swansea City (away) 2-1

Southern Section Quarter-Final: beat Luton Town (home) 3-0

Southern Section Semi-Final: beat Queens Park Rangers (home) 4-0

Southern Section Final: beat Colchester United 4-3 on aggregate (away: W3-2, home: D1-1)

Final: vs. Blackpool at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 1 p.m. on Sunday 21^st March 2004

Bristol Rovers

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played: 34 [17]

Won: 10 [6]

Drawn: 9 [5]

Lost: 15 [6]

Scored: 36 [17]

Conceded: 45 [19]

Goal Difference: -9 [-2]

Points: 39 [23]

Position: 15^th [18^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: lost to AFC Bournemouth (away) 0-1

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Brighton & Hove Albion (home) 0-1

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: lost to Southend United (away) 1-2 after silver goal extra time

THE HISTORY

Last Match

Last Five Matches

20th December 2004 – Southend United 0 Bristol Rovers 1 (Dave Savage 16) – League Division Three

14th October 2003 – Southend United 2 (Leon Constantine 39, Mark Gower 110) Bristol Rovers 1 (Lewis Haldane 36) – LDV Vans Trophy first round

8th February 2003 – Southend United 2 (Barrington Belgrave 36, Kevin Maher 76) Bristol Rovers 2 (Adam Barrett 51, Kevin Street 56) – League Division Three

9th November 2002 - Bristol Rovers 0 Southend United 1 (Tesfaye Bramble 81) – League Division Three
26th February 2002 - Southend United 2 (Tesfaye Bramble 45 [pen], 57) Bristol Rovers 1 (Nathan Ellington 36) – League Division Three

The Complete Head-to-Head Record

2003/4 – H0-1 (League), H2-1 (LDV Vans Trophy)

2002/3 - H2-2 A1-0 (League)
2001/2 –H2-1, A1-2 (League)
2000/1 –H1-0 (LDV Vans Trophy)
1997/8 – H1-1, A0-2 (League)
1992/3 – H3-0, A2-0 (League)
1991/2 – H2-0, A1-4 (League)
1988/9 – H2-2, A1-1 (League)
1987/8 – H4-2, A0-0 (League)
1983/4 – H1-2, A1-2 (League)
1982/3 – H1-0, A2-2 (League)
1981/2 – H1-0, A1-2 (League)
1973/4 – H0-0, A0-4 (League)
1972/3 – H0-0, A2-1 (League)
1965/6 – H2-0, A1-3 (League)
1964/5 – H6-2, A2-2 (League)
1963/4 – H3-4, A1-3 (League)
1962/3 – H3-2, A2-1 (League)
1952/3 – H2-1, A1-2 (League)
1951/2 – H2-1, A0-2 (League), H2-1 (F.A. Cup)
1950/1 – H1-1, A1-4 (League_
1949/50 – H3-1, A1-1 (League)
1948/9 – H0-0, A0-1 (League)
1947/8 – H1-0, A2-1 (League)
1946/7 – H2-3, A3-1 (League)
1938/9 – H3-2, A1-4 (League)
1937/8 – H1-1, A1-2 (League)
1936/7 – H2-3, H2-1 (League)
1935/6 – H1-1, A2-3 (League)
1934/5 – H5-1, A1-2 (League)
1933/4 – H2-2, A1-3 (League)
1932/3 – H2-2, A1-3 (League)
1931/2 – H4-1, A0-0 (League)
1930/1 – H4-0, A3-2 (League)
1929/30 – H6-0, A2-4 (League)
1928/9 – H1-0, A1-4 (League)
1927/8 – H2-1, A3-1 (League)
1926/7 – H2-1, A1-5 (League)
1925/6 – H3-1, A0-2 (League)
1924/5 – H2-1, A3-1 (League)
1923/4 – H1-0, A1-3 (League)
1922/3 – H0-0, A0-2 (League)
1921/2 – H3-0, A0-1 (League)
1920/1 – H1-0, A1-2 (League)
1914/5 – H3-0, A0-0 (F.A. Cup)

Summary

Overall (90 matches)
Southend United 40
Bristol Rovers 31
Draws 19

In the League (84 matches)

Southend United 36

Bristol Rovers 30

Draws 18

At Bristol Rovers (45 matches)
Southend United 11

Bristol Rovers 26
Draws 8

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com