Despite winning two of their last three League games, Southend now astoundingly find themselves right back where they started – in 23rd position and occupying the second relegation spot to the Nationwide Conference. Whatever the buzz around Roots Hall following the LDV Vans Trophy area final victory over Colchester United, Nationwide League survival must be the priority, and to do that, Blues must start to win their games in hand over the teams directly above them – tonight’s match included.
Three points in this evening’s clash would haul the Seasiders right back up to 21st, with a two-goal margin enough to take them back above Kidderminster Harriers, a team that Steve Tilson and Paul Brush’s men defeated at the Hall just over a week ago. United would also still have a game in hand over tonight’s opponents, and Darlington, who at the moment have played an extra two matches and have just an additional two points.
Somewhat ridiculously, Southend find themselves joined in the top half of the form table for the last six matches by the Quakers, the Shakers, Carlisle and Cheltenham, all of whom are involved in this ruck at the bottom of the table. That makes tonight’s fixture even more of a six-pointer than the previous three Third Division games, where the Seasiders emerged victorious against Cambridge United (1-0) and Kidderminster (3-0) at home, but then lost 2-1 at the weekend.
As they seek vital points, Tilson and Brush will be without Drewe Broughton, who starts a three-match suspension against Bury before missing Macclesfield Town on Saturday and Boston United next Wednesday. Broughton was sent off in the first leg of the LDV Vans Trophy area final against Colchester, and although he scored in both clashes, many supporters would have preferred to have seen those strikes come in the League, where the Hitchin-born hit-man has found the net just once.
Worse still, Tilson revealed to BBC Essex this morning that on-loan forward Lawrie Dudfield, the man who scored in the right goal on Saturday, suffered a gash to the head in the match against the O’s, and is a doubt for the encounter. Tesfaye Bramble, who put through his own goal, is set to return in any case, and Leon Constantine could be pushed into his more favoured striking role. James Corbett is set to come back onto the substitutes’ bench.
Lewis Hunt, who surprisingly came in at right-back for Duncan Jupp at Brisbane Road, also suffered a head injury, which has led to stitches being inserted, and he is doubtful. Jupp himself may return to the role, else Dave McSweeney, who was the replacement for the Derby County loanee on Saturday, will make his first start for a considerable period of time.
Jamie Fullarton was spotted training at Boots & Laces on Saturday morning, but he is still a little way from match fitness, so the central midfield is likely to contain club captain Kevin Maher and Carl Pettefer. Mark Bentley is another option having come on at the weekend, whilst Mark Gower, who looked extremely jaded at Orient, is set to carry on down the left flank. Neil Jenkins could be a replacement if Gower is rested.
The back line could be rocked by injury to Darryl Flahavan. With reports of a mysterious injury or bust-up involving Carl Emberson, who has been missing from the squad in the last seven days, Tilson will have been rightly concerned by the Southampton-born shotstopper limping around his penalty box after being clattered by Gary Alexander at the Matchroom Stadium. If Flahavan is not fit, Ryan Robinson will come into the side; the former Blackburn Rovers man coming into the team for the first time since the 2-0 defeat to Lincoln City in September.
Jamie Stuart was clearly at fault for the O’s opening strike with some slapdash defending at left-back, so his place is under threat from Jenkins, McSweeney and Che Wilson. In the middle, Leon Cort and Mark Warren have been reasonably solid and should, retain their places in the side.
Bury will be without two players who could have played in the original clash – Glenn Whelan went back to Manchester City the day after the encounter was expected to take place, whilst Jon Daly has been recalled by Stockport County manager Sammy McIlroy. Dave Challinor remains on loan from Edgeley Park, whilst Joe O’Neill comes from Preston North End and winger Harpal Singh is a danger man on loan from Leeds United.
The Shakers have put out a plea for more supporters to come through the Gigg Lane gates as they strive to tackle relegation, but it is just as important for us to make some noise as away fans in Greater Manchester. Let’s roar the lads on to victory, with three points this evening almost as important as those in May 1991…
TEAM DETAILS
Likely Squads
Bury | Southend United | |
5-3-2 Glyn Garner Lee Connell Thomas Kennedy Colin Woodthorpe Dave Challinor Danny Swailes Terry Dunfield Lee Duxbury David Flitcroft Chris Porter Gareth Seddon --- Lewis Solly George Clegg Joe O’Neill Paul O’Shaugnessy Dave Nugent --- | Starting Line-Ups GK DR DL DC DC DC-MR MC MC MC-ML FC FC Substitutes 1 2 3 4 5 Also Available * * * * * | 4-4-2 Darryl Flahavan Duncan Jupp Jamie Stuart Leon Cort Mark Warren Leon Constantine Kevin Maher Carl Pettefer Mark Gower Tesfaye Bramble Lawrie Dudfield --- Ryan Robinson Dave McSweeney James Corbett Che Wilson Mark Bentley --- Anthony Clark Neil Jenkins Stuart Williams Michael Kightly Steve Tilson |
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear)
Assistant Referees: Bob Pollock (Merseyside) and Toy McGhee (Merseyside)
Blues were scheduled to have Kevin Friend for the original match, but the Leicestershire-born official is unavailable tonight, so Mr. Laws, one of the Whitley Bay brothers of referees, takes over. Laws was expected to take control of the match at Layer Road in the LDV Vans Trophy against Colchester United but unexpectedly fell ill and it must be hoped that this doesn’t happen again. He has booked 62 and sent off five, three of which came in the First Division match between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City. Previous matches involving the Shrimpers have been relatively quiet – Phil Whelan was a favourite for the book – and most have ended in away draws!
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
Saturday 21st February 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Brisbane Road
Leyton Orient 2 (Drewe Broughton [o.g] 67, Tesfaye Bramble [o.g.] 81) Southend United 1 (Lawrie Dudfield 45+4) [attendance: 6,119]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Lewis Hunt (Dave McSweeney 78), Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart; Leon Constantine, Kevin Maher, Carl Pettefer, Mark Gower (Mark Bentley 86); Lawrie Dudfield, Drewe Broughton (Tesfaye Bramble 68). Subs not used: Ryan Robinson, Che Wilson.
Saturday 21st February 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ the Kassam Stadium
Oxford United 1 (Dean Whitehead 49) Bury 1 (Terry Dunfield 47) [attendance: 6,473]. Bury line-up (5-3-2): Glyn Garner; Colin Woodthorpe, Lee Unsworth, Danny Swailes, Dave Challinor, Thomas Kennedy; Terry Dunfield (lee Connell 85), Lee Duxbury, David Flitcroft; Gareth Seddon (Dave Nugent 77), Jon Daly. Subs not used: Lewis Solly, Chris Porter, Paul O’Shaughnessy.
Last Five Matches
Southend United
L1-2 (away; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)
D1-1 (home; Colchester United; LDV Vans Trophy; Drewe Broughton)
W3-0 (home; Kidderminster Harriers; League Division Three; Leon Constantine 2 [2 pens], Lawrie Dudfield)
W3-2 (away; Colchester United; LDV Vans Trophy; Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton, Tesfaye Bramble)
W1-0 (home; Cambridge United; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)
Bury
D1-1 (away; Oxford United; League Division Three; Terry Dunfield)
W1-0 (home; Cambridge United; League Division Three; Gareth Seddon)
L1-2 (away; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Gareth Seddon)
D0-0 (home; Kidderminster Harriers; League Division Three)
D0-0 (away; Scunthorpe United; League Division Three)
Southend United away form
L1-2 (League Division Three; Leyton Orient; Lawrie Dudfield)
W3-2 (LDV Vans Trophy; Colchester United; Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton, Tesfaye Bramble)
L0-1 (League Division Three; Mansfield Town)
L0-1 (F.A. Cup; Scarborough)
D1-1 (League Division Three; Cheltenham Town; Drewe Broughton)
Bury home form
W1-0 (League Division Three; Cambridge United; Gareth Seddon)
D0-0 (League Division Three; Kidderminster Harriers)
W2-0 (League Division Three; Swansea City; Danny Swailes, Jon Daly)
L1-3 (League Division Three; Carlisle United; Chris Porter [pen])
L1-2 (League Division Three; Rochdale; Terry Dunfield)
2003/4 SEASON
Southend United
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])
Played: 31 [15]
Won: 9 [4]
Drawn: 5 [3]
Lost: 17 [8]
Scored: 28 [13]
Conceded: 43 [25]
Goal Difference: -15 [-12]
Points: 32 [15]
Position: 23rd [17th]
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. Sheffield Wednesday (0) or Blackpool (1) at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday 21st March 2004, kick-off 1 p.m.
Bury
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])
Played: 32 [17]
Won: 11 [7]
Drawn: 5 [3]
Lost: 16 [5]
Scored: 36 [18]
Conceded: 47 [19]
Goal Difference: -11 [-1]
Points: 38 [24]
Position: 16th [16th]
F.A. Cup
First Round: lost to Rochdale (home) 1-2
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to Tranmere Rovers (away) 0-1
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: bye
Second Round: beat Oldham Athletic (home) 2-1
Northern Section Quarter-Final: lost to Scunthorpe United (home) 0-1
THE HISTORY
Last Meeting
Southend United | 1-0 | Bury |
Leon Constantine 89 | League Division Three @ Roots Hall, 30th August 2003 |
Carl Emberson Duncan Jupp Dave McSweeney Leon Cort Mark Warren Kevin Maher -- Leke Odunsi Mark Gower James Corbett -- Leon Constantine Drewe Broughton | 8 6 6 6 7 8 7 7 6 6(81) 9 | Glyn Garner Matty Barrass Colin Woodthorpe Danny Swailes -- Greg Strong Paul O’Shaughnessy Phil Charnock Lee Unsworth -- Harpal Singh -- Andy Preece David Nugent | - - - - - - -(57) - - - - |
Ryan Robinson Jmaie Stuart Stuart Williams Michael Kightly Luke Nightingale | - - - - -(81) | George Clegg Joe O’Neill Thomas Kennedy Gareth Seddon Lee Connell | -(57) - - - - |
Last Five Meetings
30th August 2003 – Southend United 1 (Leon Constantine 89) Bury 0 – League Division Three
26th April 2003 – Southend United 1 (Leon Cort 13) Bury 2 (Michael Nelson 10, Lee Connell 48) – League Division Three
5th October 2003 – Bury 1 (Michael Nelson 3) Southend United 3 (Graeme Jones 67, Neil Jenkins 79, Tesfaye Bramble 84) – League Division Three
4th May 1991 – Bury 0 Southend United 1 (Ian Benjamin) – League Division Three (old)
27th October 1990 – Southend United 2 (Brett Angell, Steve Tilson) Bury 1 – League Division Three (old)
The Complete Head-to-Head Record
2003/4 – H1-0 (League)
2002/3 – H1-2 A3-1 (League)
1990/1 – H2-1 A1-0 (League)
1988/9 – H1-1 A1-3 (League)
1987/8 – H1-0 A2-2 (League)
1984/5 – H3-3 A0-2 (League)
1980/1 – H1-0 A2-1 (League)
1979/80 – H0-0 A1-1 (League)
1978/9 – H0-0 A3-3 (League)
1975/6 – H2-0 A0-1 (League)
1974/5 – H1-0 A1-0 (League)
1971/2 – H0-0 A0-2 (League)
1960/1 – H0-3 A0-2 (League)
1959/60 – H0-4 A0-3 (League)
1958/9 – H1-0 A3-2 (League)
Summary
Overall (29 meetings)
Southend United 12
Bury 9
Draws 8
In The League (29 meetings)
Southend United 12
Bury 9
Draws 8
At Bury (14 meetings)
Southend United 4
Bury 6
Draws 4
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com