Broughton, who has netted eight goals for Southend United from 56 appearances as a starter and off of the substitutes bench, grabbed five goals in just ten games whilst on loan at Nene Park inside a two month spell, during which time he inspired an important 5-1 win over Notts County with his first professional hat-trick.
In addition to that, he managed strikes against Colchester United in a 5-2 FA Cup second round defeat – in the process continuing a run of three goals in three games against the Shrimpers’ north Essex rivals – and Cambridge United in a shock 3-1 Abbey Stadium defeat, as well as collecting his fifth yellow card of the campaign and sitting out Diamonds FA Cup first round game in the process. Last Tuesday he saw a late header against Boston United ruled out that would have secured a 1-1 draw.
Blues boss Steve Tilson was eager to extend the 26-year-old’s loan spell with Southend’s League Two opponents, but the club, whose backing from the head of the Dr. Martens shoe-making company was withdrawn earlier in 2004, are unable to afford the front man’s wages and have chosen instead to return the Shrimpers cult hero, who was the instigator of United’s LDV Vans Trophy run last year, to Roots Hall.
However, Broughton’s future at the home of football in Essex seems unclear. Freddy Eastwood and Wayne Gray have contributed sixteen goals between them so far this term, and Lawrie Dudfield cannot force his way into the side despite smashing a hat-trick past Ridgeons League side Clacton Town in the Essex Senior Cup last Wednesday. Monserrat international Tesfaye Bramble has also been restricted to sporadic opportunities, leaving the Hitchin-born target man likely to leave in the summer if he is unable to find another team before then.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com