Kevin Maher's presence will be a welcome addition to the side

Other than those lucky souls who have been able to purchase a ticket from the club shop over the past seven days, the local pubs and lounges across southeast Essex will be packed with families all looking to see how Southend get on in what is a huge banana skin against Ryman Premier League leaders Canvey. BBC Essex, Essex FM, and Sky Sports, who will be covering the match live, have been gripped by Cup fever and even bookmakers as far afield as Colchester are advertising odds on the game (unfortunately Coral has Neil Gregory to score and the Gulls winning 1-0 at 30/1 in their shop window).

Since the 1-1 draw at Roots Hall now ten days ago, nothing seems to have caught the attention of the general public quite as much as this clash, with the added incentive that Shrimpers legend Stan Collymore has been at the ground in talks with the club. Whether or not the goalscoring hero returns in a player/manager capacity will not be known for another couple of days at the very least, but the very prospect of his arrival seems to have brought many fans so much needed hope in this season of gloom.

It is not to be forgotten that whilst the F.A. Cup, the most prestigious domestic knockout competition in the world, is a real carrot for the club and its supporters to rally around, United are still in 23^rd position in the Third Division, currently occupying one of the two relegation spots. Should they fall into the Nationwide Conference, then the very survival of the football club is at stake – and for that reason, tonight’s match is hugely important. A win and a second round tie at home to Lincoln City, as well as the £50,000 television money, will rejuvenate the season as a whole. A defeat to a team two divisions below Blues and the ramifications do not bear thinking about.

For the time being, without a permanent appointment, David Webb continues in the caretaker role, with Steve Tilson directing the side from the touchline. Unfortunately, despite boasting an unbeaten record and five matches without defeat on the road before Saturday, the duo’s partnership was dealt a massive blow in Somerset at the weekend with a 4-0 reversal to promotion-chasing Yeovil Town. Meanwhile the Islanders were cruising to another win against Carshalton Athletic and reinforcing their position at the top of the table, stretching their away run to five straight wins.

As Southend look to avoid the same indignant exit as the likes of Torquay United and Wrexham have already endured from this year’s Cup campaign, they look set to welcome back captain Kevin Maher. We at TLG initially believed that the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was banned for a further match due to receiving his fifth yellow card of the season before a second one and a red in the home fixture against Northampton, but it appears that Maher will be able to participate, having also recovered from a gash to his knee picked up in the first encounter between the two sides.

Maher is not the only midfielder to come back into contention – Steven Clark came through the reserve match at Sixfields a week ago and is fit to play, although with Mark Gower and James Corbett filling the wide positions at Huish Park he is unlikely to make it further than the bench. Che Wilson may drop into the ranks of the substitutes as Jay Smith remains favourite to partner Maher. The former Aston Villa man was poor for long periods of the last game, but his appointment as makeshift captain indicates that he is held in high regard. Jamie Fullarton and Leke Odunsi are still injured.

Jamie Stuart will not make a return yet, so Neil Jenkins could continue at left-back. Mark Warren is likely to replace Lewis Hunt, who will once again be withdrawn by Derby County to avoid him being Cup-tied for the Rams in a later round. Leon Cort carries on in the middle, whilst Dave McSweeney may be dropped to accommodate Duncan Jupp’s return after a highly impressive substitute appearance at Yeovil. Darryl Flahavan will keep goal, with Essex Senior Cup penalty hero Carl Emberson on the bench.

Webb and Tilson have their most pressing decisions to make up front. Tesfaye Bramble should retain his position after constantly threatening the Glovers four days ago, but his partner will be left until the last possible moment. Drewe Broughton was the man selected in Somerset, but after an abject display Michael Husbands, who also failed to deliver, replaced him. Leon Constantine’s case was furthered by the support of the crowd, who called for him to be brought on, especially since he tops the Shrimpers’ goalscoring charts.

For the hosts, Peter Smith returns to the squad after injury, but Mickey Bennett misses out again. Lee Boylan found the net for the seventeenth time this season from the penalty spot in the 2-0 win against Carshalton, whilst another Jeff Minton corner helped produce the second, courtesy of Gavin Cowan. Ben Chenery, who netted the seventh-minute equaliser at the Hall, has managed to keep his place instead of Cowan since the original tie, but that may yet change tonight.

The gates open at 5:30 this evening, and supporters without a ticket will not be admitted to the ground. The Shrimpers Trust coaches will not allow anyone on without the production of a valid ticket for the match, which must be ended tonight, after extra time and penalties if required. If you cannot get to the game, make sure to watch it on Sky Sports 1 – if you are in attendance, then lets get behind the Blues!

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

MATCH OFFICIAL (If the same as the original tie)

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Berkshire)

TLG’s Mark Wallis wrote this on Kettle after the original tie:

“1 out of 10 - Kettle was absolutely abysmal. He never let the game flow, but when he should have stopped the match he was far too lenient on the away side. Amazingly Warren was booked despite having been kicked in the head by Gregory and Corbett was cautioned for absolutely nothing whatsoever. I sincerely hope that this fool doesn't take charge for the replay.”

TEAM FORM

Last Matches

Saturday 15^th November 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Huish Park

Yeovil Town 4 (Lee Elam 33, Darren Way 40, Lee Johnson 43, 56 [pen]) Southend United 0 [attendance: 5,248]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Lewis Hunt, Neil Jenkins; James Corbett (Duncan Jupp half-time), Che Wilson (Mark Warren 63), Jay Smith, Mark Gower; Tesfaye Bramble, Drewe Broughton (Michael Husbands half-time). Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Leon Constantine.

Saturday 15^th November 2003 – Ryman League Premier Division @ Carshalton

Carshalton Athletic 0 Canvey Island 2 (Lee Boylan 41 [pen], Gavin Cowan 82) [attendance: 719]. Canvey Island line-up (4-4-2): Danny Potter; John Kennedy, Chris Duffy, Ben Chenery, Steve Ward; David Theobald, Ty Gooden, Jeff Minton, Neil Midgley; Lee Boylan, Neil Gregory. Subs: Ollie Berquez, Gavin Cowan, Kevin Dobinson, Junior McDougald, Ashley Harrison.

Last Five Matches

Southend United

L0-4 (away; Yeovil Town; League Division Three)

D1-1 (home; Canvey Island; F.A. Cup first round; Mark Gower)

W2-1 (away; Swansea City; LDV Vans Trophy second round; Tesfaye Bramble, James Corbett)

L0-1 (home; Northampton Town; League Division Three)

W2-1 (away; Macclesfield Town; League Division Three; Leon Constantine, Jay Smith [pen])

Canvey Island

W2-0 (away; Carshalton Athletic; Ryman Premier League; Lee Boylan, Gavin Cowan)

D1-1 (away; Southend United; F.A. Cup first round; Ben Chenery)

L1-4 (away; Harlow Town; Essex Senior Cup; Ryan Kirby [o.g.])

W4-1 (away; Kettering Town; Ryman Premier League; Jeff Minton, Neil Midgley, Neil Gregory, Ty Gooden)

W2-1 (away; Mangotsfield United; F.A. Cup fourth qualifying round)

Southend United away form

L0-4 (League Division Three; Yeovil Town)

W2-1 (LDV Vans Trophy second round; Swansea City; Tesfaye Bramble, James Corbett)

W2-1 (League Division Three; Macclesfield Town; Leon Constantine, Jay Smith [pen])

W2-1 (League Division Three; Kidderminster Harriers; Mark Warren, Tesfaye Bramble)

D0-0 (League Division Three; Darlington)

Canvey Island home form

W6-1 (Ryman Premier League; Kingstonian; Lee Boylan 2, Neil Gregory 3, Junior McDougald)

W4-3 (F.A. Cup third qualifying round; Dover Athletic; Jeff Minton 3, Lee Boylan [pen])

W4-0 (Ryman Premier League; Aylesbury United; Jeff Minton, Neil Gregory, Ollie Berquez 2)

W6-1 (F.A. Cup second qualifying round; Uxbridge; Neil Midgley, Lee Boylan 2, Kevin Dobinson, Neil Gregory, Ty Gooden)

W2-0 (Ryman Premier League; Heybridge Swifts; Lee Boylan, Neil Gregory)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])

Played: 18 [9]

Won: 4 [2]

Drawn: 3 [2]

Lost: 11 [5]

Scored: 14 [7]

Conceded: 30 [16]

Goal Difference: -16 [-9]

Points: 15 [8]

Position: 23^rd [18^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: drew with Canvey Island (home) 1-1

First Round replay: vs. Canvey Island (away) on Wednesday 19^th November 2003

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: vs. Luton Town (home) on Tuesday 9^th December 2003

Canvey Island

Ryman League Premier Division (overall [home])

Played: 17 [8]

Won: 13 [7]

Drawn: 2 [1]

Lost: 2 [0]

Scored: 43 [28]

Conceded: 14 [7]

Goal Difference: +29 [+21]

Points: 41 [22]

Position: 1^st [1^st]

F.A. Cup

Second Qualifying Round: beat Uxbridge (home) 6-1

Third Qualifying Round: beat Dover Athletic (home) 4-3

Fourth Qualifying Round: beat Mangotsfield United (away) 2-1

First Round: drew with Southend United (away) 1-1

First Round replay: vs. Southend United (home) on Wednesday 19^th November 2003

F.A. Trophy

Second Round: vs. Windsor & Eton (away) on Saturday 29^th November 2003

Essex Senior Cup

Third Round: lost to Harlow Town (away) 1-4

Bryco Cup

Second Round: vs. Hendon Town (home) on Wednesday 3^rd December 2003

THE HISTORY

Last Match

The Previous Ten Meetings

26th July 2003 – Southend United 0 Canvey Island 1 (Ty Gooden 41) – Friendly

28th July 2001 – Canvey Island 1 Southend United 1 – Friendly

6th March 2000 – Canvey Island 2 Southend United 1 – Essex Senior Cup semi-final

9th December 2000 – Canvey Island 1 (Wayne Vaughan 90) Southend United 2 (Scott Forbes 38, Ben Abbey 80) – F.A. Cup Second Round @ Roots Hall

6th May 1999 – Canvey Island 0 Southend United 3 – Essex Thameside Trophy semi-final

25th July 1998 – Canvey Island 0 Southend United 3 – Friendly

2nd August 1997 – Canvey Island 0 Southend United 0 – Friendly

19th July 1997 – Canvey Island 3 Southend United 1 – Friendly

12th November 1996 – Southend United 3 Canvey Island 1 – Essex Senior Cup third round

15th October 1995 – Southend United 6 Canvey Island 0 – Essex Senior Cup third round

Summary

Overall (11 matches)

Southend United 5

Canvey Island 3

Draws 3

At Park Lane (6 matches)

Southend United 2

Canvey Island 2

Draws 2

Competitive Fixtures (6 matches)

Southend United 4

Canvey Island 1

Draws 1

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com