Carlisle United v Southend United – Preview - Shrimpers24

Danny Gay will receive his first start since April 13th 2002

The good news ahead of Saturday’s game is that, despite heavy rain falling in the far north-west over the past couple of days, Carlisle United officials are confident of the contest going ahead. The Brunton Park pitch has been covered as a precaution (something that did not happen prior to the postponed F.A. Cup Second Round Replay with Scunthorpe United), and only an extremely heavy frost will see referee Michael Jones order a pre-match pitch inspection. That will come as a great relief to Blues fans making the journey, one of the longest in the entire Football League. A frost is expected as the skies have cleared in Cumbria, but its severity is the only factor to leave the encounter in doubt.

On the field, Shrimpers chief Rob Newman has more problems. First choice shotstopper Darryl Flahavan will miss the next month-and-a-half with the abductor strain aggravated in last Sunday’s match against Scunthorpe and his replacement will be Reserve team custodian Danny Gay. The Kings Lynn-born performer has been impressive this year in Avon Insurance Combination and Essex Senior Cup matches, and many supporters have been surprised that he has not been given an opportunity earlier in the season. Newman’s problems are increased by the fact that he has not been able to attract another ‘keeper to warm the bench, and Southend will go into the game with only one recognised goalie.

However, the former Bristol City defender has swooped in the last 24 hours to secure the services of former Norwich team-mate Daryl Sutch. The versatile defender, who can also operate in midfield, is the logical replacement for Kevin Maher as the club captain begins a two-match suspension following his tenth caution of the campaign at Cambridge on Boxing Day. Stuart Thurgood is also unavailable – the postponed clash with Oxford United at Roots Hall on New Years Day would have been the third game of his three-match suspension, but instead he is spared the long journey north. The options in the centre of the park are completed by Jay Smith, who will provide the attacking influence from midfield, and Mark Beard, who has operated as a sitting midfielder in a 4-5-1 formation in the last couple of Third Division games.

Wide on the right, Newman still has the chance to play two loanee wingers. Tony Scully completes his second month at the club, although the ex-QPR and Manchester City wide man can still be retained for another thirty days should Cambridge be willing. The only other way in which the crowd-pleaser could remain at the Hall is for a permanent signing to be made. Danny Marney, a couple of weeks into his loan spell from First Division Brighton & Hove Albion, has looked lively in his fleeting appearances in a blue shirt, and is pressing hard to be included from the outset. Former West Ham United Youth star Steven Clark continues to frustrate on the sidelines having failed to recover from his own groin problem. On the left hand side, Mark Rawle has been pushing forward well top contribute vital goals to the side, although should Newman wish to include him up front, Neil Jenkins or the experienced Steve Tilson are ready and willing.

Defensively the Seasiders have been struggling recently. Supporters will not be pleased to hear that Stephen Broad has been booked in for an operation on his injured hernia, which will put him out for six weeks. Since the operation does not take place for another eleven days, the ex-Chelsea Reserve captain will not contemplate a return until the trip to Kidderminster Harriers in early March at the very earliest. The injury means that Phil Whelan and Leon Cort, who have looked secure for long periods, should continue at the heart of defence. Tom Jordan is the other option. Dave McSweeney appears likely to continue at right-back, with Damon Searle on the opposite side.

Tesfaye Bramble has netted in six of his last seven away games, and is almost certain to be the man picked to lead the Shrimpers attack at Brunton Park. With nine goals in all competitions, he has been Southend’s only threat up front at times this seaon. Graeme Jones, without a goal since late October, and Barrington Belgrave should be resigned to the fact that they will be on the bench. Mark Salter is also pushing for selection as he has fired a couple of goals already in his fledgling Reserve career.

Blues go into the match having picked up just two wins in the last eleven games. The optimism that surrounded an F.A. Cup run has disappeared, and the grim reality of another season of mid-table mediocrity has set in. Only a sharp turnaround of form will see the Shrimpers anywhere near a play off position, which must still be their aim for the start of May. Having not won on their travels since the victorious 2-1 visit to Hartlepool in the Cup at the end of November, Newman needs his players to find the sort of performance that led to away wins at Rochdale, Oxford, Bury and Bristol Rovers earlier in the campaign. However, their opponents are also struggling just two points above bottom place in the Division. With only two home wins all season, they have a worse home record than Southend, and pressure has been growing on boss Roddy Collins in a run of results that have seen his side fail to record a League win since 9^th November. Indeed, they have won just three of their last 23 Third Division games following their win at Roots Hall and another over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.

Last seasons top scorer Richie Foran will miss out as he serves the third match of a four-game suspension, and Mark Summerbell also fails to make the squad as he begins a two-match ban. Lee Maddison is struggling with a back problem, and will be replaced by former Wimbledon man Des Byrne should he fail a fitness test. Two longer term injury men, Brian Wake and Darren Kelly, will have late fitness tests to see if they are alright to regain their places in the starting eleven. Craig Farrell is the Cumbrians danger man, with eight goals in 17 matches for the northerners as the Seasiders attempt to win only their second match at Carlisle, the only time being the very first meeting there, a 2-1 win on 30^th March 1963.

LAST MATCHES

Southend United 1 (Cort 39) Scunthorpe United (Carruthers 75, Torpey 81). Line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan (Danny Marney 84), Damon Searle; Tony Scully (Graeme Jones 88), Mark Beard, Jay Smith (Barrington Belgrave 78), Kevin Maher, Mark Rawle; Tes Bramble. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Neil Jenkins

Hartlepool United 2 (Lee 50, Eifion Williams 80) Carlisle United 1 (Burt 10). Line-up: Matt Glennon; Brian Shelley, Philip Gulliver, Peter Murphy, Lee Maddison (Des Byrne 48 (Ryan Baldacchino 85)); Jon McCarthy, Mark Hudson, Mark Summerbell, Brendon McGill (Adam Rundle 51); Jamie Burt, Craig Farrell. Subs not used: Paul Robinson, Will McDonagh.

Kevin Maher netted the winner last time Southend triumphed over Carlisle

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
13^th August 2002 - Southend United 0 Carlisle United 1 (McDonagh 85) - Third Division

5^th March 2002 - Carlisle United 0 Southend United 0 - Third Division
25^th September 2001 - Southend United 3 (Whelan 44, Webb 54, Maher 88) Carlisle United 2 - Third Division
28^th April 2001 - Southend United 1 (Lee 86) Carlisle United 1 - Third Division
11^th November 2000 - Carlisle United 3 Southend United 1 (Lee 86) - Third Division

Southend United (from): Danny Gay, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Tom Jordan, Phil Whelan, Damon Searle, Neil Jenkins, Mark Beard, Daryl Sutch, Tony Scully, Danny Marney, Jay Smith, Steve Tilson, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave, Tes Bramble, Graeme Jones, Mark Salter.

Carlisle United (from): Matt Glennon, Brian Shelley, Philip Gulliver, Peter Murphy, Lee Maddison, Des Byrne, Ryan Baldacchino, Jon McCarthy, Mark Hudson, Brendon McGill, Adam Rundle, Jamie Burt, Craig Farrell, Paul Robinson, Will McDonagh, Brian Wake, Darren Kelly.

OFFICIALS

Referee: Michael Jones (Chester)

Assistant Referees: Eddie King (Northumberland), Martin Robinson (Darlington)

So far this season, Jones has refereed 16 matches in total, administering a lenient 43 yellow cards and just three reds. Since most of his matches have been in the First Division, the last encounter Blues had with the official was at the start of the 2001/2 season, when he sent off both Mark Rawle and Leon Cort at St. Andrews as Southend were sent crashing out of the Worthington Cup to Birmingham City. Prior to that a League tussle with Hull at Roots Hall in December 1999 passed with just three cautions handed out and a two-nil defeat to Chesterfield in April 1998 went by relatively untouched; just one yellow card being awarded. Jones appears slow to book players, but on his day can lash out the most severe punishment.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Overall

Southend United 7

Carlisle United 10

Draws 7

At Brunton Park

Southend United 1

Carlisle United 7

Draws 3

League Fixtures

Southend United 7

Carlisle United 9