Of course, since 4th May 1991, United have been top of what is now ridiculously known as ‘The Championship’ (albeit for a matter of hours) and reached the club’s first ever national cup final in facing Blackpool at the Millennium Stadium in last season’s LDV Vans Trophy, but when asking Shrimpers’ supporters what day they most remember, or most regret having missed out on, and that date is etched in their minds.
If you listened to every single person that told you that they were present at Gigg Lane some thirteen-and-a-half years ago, you would probably get a figure that amounted to more than double what the tidy little ground now holds. I, for one, am honest about the game though – at the time I hadn’t been introduced to the sport, and had not taken up my love affair with the Shrimpers, but my TLG colleague Mark Wallis was at that game, he assures me!
In some ways, this match is just as important. It is imperative that Southend launch a promotion bid this season, even if it ultimately ends in narrow failure, and the Shakers are level on points, and just two places above the Seasiders in what is proving to be an incredibly tight division. This is, if ever there was one, a promotion six-pointer.
Tilson and Paul Brush will, therefore, be seeking to pool together all the available resources. Goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan remains on the sidelines with his bruised heel, and that injury looks set to keep him out of action until at least the tail end of the festive fixtures. Under-18s shotstopper Nick Morgan will again be drafted in as cover, with Bart Griemink between the sticks.
Jay Smith is out for the rest of the season, but attention has since turned to another important midfielder, Mark Gower. The former Tottenham Hotspur Worthington Cup winner was unable to take to the field against Leyton Orient with reports of a hamstring injury at the time, although subsequent tests have revealed that both his groin and his back have been troubling him. Physiotherapist John Stannard will give the playmaker a late fitness test to assess his situation.
Kevin Maher and Mark Bentley appear set to continue in the centre of the midfield, with Carl Pettefer on the left-hand side having opened his Shrimpers goalscoring account in the LDV Vans Trophy win against Northampton Town at Sixfields, a result that marked Blues’ first triumph away from home in normal time since the 2-1 victory against Notts County on the eve of the LDV trip to Colchester United.
Tesfaye Bramble was unsuccessfully employed as a right-sided midfielder in the 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient, and with Freddy Eastwood and Wayne Gray both hitting the target up front, Tilson and Brush will be loathed to make changes up front. In consequence, Bramble could be dropped in favour of a straight swap with Lawrie Dudfield, who was employed as a right winger during his time with both Hull City and Northampton.
Jimmy Corbett is not likely to be risked in the squad, despite completing a full ninety minutes in the 5-1 thrashing of Clacton Town in this week’s Essex Senior Cup fourth round clash, a game that saw Dudfield hit a hat-trick. His accomplice was James Lawson, who may be a surprising member of the squad after continuing his fine reserve team form with another brace of goals. Michael Kightly and Drewe Broughton are both out on loan.
In defence, the usual conundrum concerning the two full-back positions continue to puzzle the management duo. On the left, Nicky Nicolau offers more attacking options that Che Wilson, on the right Duncan Jupp more reliability and expertise than Lewis Hunt, but in both cases the former rather than the latter is set to be selected.
Adam Barrett and Spencer Prior both appeared to be struggling with injuries towards the end of the clash with East London rivals Orient in midweek, and as a result Andy Edwards did not take part in the Clacton match. He will come into contention for selection if either is not fully fit.
For Bury, defender Colin Woodthorpe is set to miss out through suspension, but formerly injured trio Dwayne Mattis (back), Matt Barrass (knee) and Paul Scott could all return. One former Shrimper that will have to be watched is left-sided utility man Brian Barry-Murphy, who has been one of the Lancastrians’ most consistent performers this term.
Southend United (4-4-2; possible): Bart Griemink; Lewis Hunt, Adam Barrett, Andy Edwards, Nicky Nicolau; Lawrie Dudfield, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Carl Pettefer; Freddy Eastwood, Wayne Gray.
Also available: Nick Morgan, Duncan Jupp, Che Wilson, Tesfaye Bramble, Stuart Williams, James Lawson.
Doubtful: Mark Gower, Jimmy Corbett Spencer Prior
Injured: Darryl Flahavan, Michael Husbands, Jay Smith
Suspended: none
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com