Chelmsford City v Southend United - Preview

Since that victorious evening, United have reached this, the semi-final stage on two occassions. Goals from Andy Thomson, who also missed a penalty, and Mark Jones were nowhere near enough as a lacklustee Southend were thrashed 6-2 at Dagenham a year later and three years ago two late goals from Canvey Island's Andy Jones cancelled out David McSweeney's early strike at Park Lane.

Rob Newman's men find themselves at the semi-final stage this time around having comprehensively seen off Dagenham 4-1 in the quarter-final with goals from Newman himself, a brace from Mark Salter and a futher strike from 16-year old striker Joe Ilett. United had previously seen off both Great Wakering Rovers and Hornchurch in the previous rounds, both by 2-1 scorelines.

Of course, being the only Football League side in the competition - incidentely both Colchester United and Leyton Orient pay a fine not to enter - it's usually the case that Southend field what is largely a reserve side against their first team of their counterparts. The story is no different this evening, with manager Newman himself once again named the the line-up which travels to City's temporary home at New Lodge. Newman will be joined in the starting line-up by defender Stephen Broad who is making his first appearance for the Shrimpers since recovering from an operation on a groin injury. One Southend connection in the City side will see the inclusion of one-time Roots Hall favourite Garry Cross who is enjoying his time with his hometown Club. Further Leeague experience amongst the Chelmsford team includes ex-Cheltenham Town frontman Dale Watkins, one time Shrewsbury Town winger Austin Berkley, former Colchester United defender Ian Wiles and Brian Statham, once a main stay of the Tottenham Hotspur rearguard.

Statham however was sent-off just five minutes into City's 2-1 home defeat against fierce reivals Grantham Town on Saturday. City had taken the lead on the 35 minute mark through Watkins, but ex-Nottingham Forest striker Gary Bull equalised for the Lincolnshire side before defender Mike Hallows scrambled home a winner for the visitors just two minutes from time.

Southend last met Chelmsford in a competitive fixture during 1994-95 when United slipped to a 3-0 reverse at New Writtle Street in the Essex Thameside Trophy. The last Essex Senior Cup meeting came in 1991-92 when United crashed 3-2 in a replay following a goalless draw.

There will not however be any replay of tonights encounter. Should the scores be level after the initial ninety minutes then thirty minutes extra time shall be played. Should the scores still be level after the period of extra time then the match will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

The winners will play either Billericay Town or Aveley (they play tomorrow night) in the final which will be held at Roots Hall during April.

SOUTHEND LINE-UP:- Daniel Gay, Mark Beard, Steve Tilson, Stephen Broad, Tom Jordan, Rob Newman, Stuart Thurgood, Anthony Clark, Neil Jenkins, Mark Salter, Barrington Belgrave

Subs - Flory Zinga, Daryl Plummer, Michael Kightly, Jamie Gray, Joe Ilett.

CHELMSFORD (Probable):- Arran Lee-Barnett, Brian Statham, Keith Sharman, Mike Basham, Ian Wiles, Danny Slatter, Garry Cross, Mike Rutherford, Tony Samuels, Dale Watkins, Austin Berkley.

Subs - Barry Lakin, Lewis Reid, Phil Dean, Gareth Street, George Lay.

LAST MATCHES:

Southend - Flahavan, Sutch, Searle, Cort, Kelly, Smith (Beard 85), Maher, Marney, Steven Clark, Foley, Rawle (Belgrave 66). Unused - Salter, Jordan, Gay.

City - Lee-Barnett, Statham, Sharman, Basham (Lakin 48), Wiles, Slatter, Cross (Reid 56), Rutherford, Samuels (Dean 65), Watkins, Berkley. Unused - Street, Lay.

SUFC IN THE ESSEX SENIOR CUP - THE LAST TEN YEARS -
2002-03
Round Three - Great Wakering Rovers 1, Southend United 2
Round Four - Hornchurch 1, Southend United 2
Quarter-Final - Dagenham & Redbridge 1, Southend United 4

2001-02
Round Three - Purfleet 3, Southend United 0

2000-01
Round Three - Southend United 3, Harwich & Parkeston 1
Round Four - Purfleet 4, Southend United 0

1999-00
Round Three - Southend United 2, Ford United 0
Round Four - Heybridge Swifts 1, Southend United 4
Quarter-Final - Southend United 1, Barking 1 (3-1 pens)
Semi-Final - Canvey Island 2, Southend United 1

1998-99
Round Three - Ford United 2, Southend United 3
Round Four - Southend United 1, Leyton Pennant 2 (After Extra Time)

1997-98
Round Three - Clapton 1, Southend United 2
Round Four - Southend United 2, Stanway Rovers 0
Quarter-Final - Southend United 8, Wivenhoe Town 0
Semi-final - Dagenham & Redbridge 6, Southend United 2

1996-97 - Winners
Round Two - Harwich & Parkeston 2, Southend United 3
Round Three - Southend United 3, Canvey Island 0
Quarter-Final - Southend United 5, Heybridge Swifts 2
Semi-Final - Southend United 4, Purfleet 1
Final (at Dagenham) - Braintree Town 1, Southend United 2 (After Extra Time)

1995-96
Round Two - Southend United 6, Canvey Island 0
Round Three - Southend United 5, Barkingside 1
Quarter-Final - Southend United 4, Purfleet 2
Semi-Final - Braintree Town 1, Southend United 1 (After Extra Time)
Semi-Final Replay - Southend United 0, Braintree Town 1

1994-95
Round Two - Southend United 2, Witham Town 1
Round Three - Aveley 1, Southend United 3
Quarter-Final - Southend United 1, Halstead Town 2 (After Extra Time)

1993-94
Round One - Witham Town 1, Southend United 6
Round Two - Heybridge Swifts 1, Southend United 2
Round Three - Leyton 7, Southend United 0

SHRIMPERS versus THE CLARETS - the full history

ESSEX PROFESSIONAL CUP
1950-51 - A, 3-1
1953-54 - H, 2-1
1967-68 - A, 1-4
1969-70 - A, 1-1 - H, 2-3
1971-72 - A, 3-4 - A, 1-0 - H, 2-2
1973-74 - A, 2-1 - H, 1-2
1974-75 - A, 1-4

ESSEX SENIOR CUP

1980-81 - A, 2-3
1981-82 - H, 0-1
1988-89 - A, 0-2
1991-92 - H, 0-0* - A, 2-3

ESSEX THAMESIDE TROPHY
1985-86 - A, 2-1
1986-87 - A, 0-1
1989-90 - A, 2-2 (5-3 pens)
1994-95 - A, 0-3

EASTERN PROFESSIONAL FLOODLIGHT COMPETITION
1970-71 - A, 0-1 - H, 1-1

* Played at New Writtle Street, Chelmsford under arrangement.

SUMMARY -
at Roots Hall: Plyd - 6, Won - 1, Drawn - 2, Lost - 3, For - 8, Agnst - 10

at New Writtle Street (as Southend's home ground): Plyd - 1, Won -0, Drawn - 1, Lost - 0, For -0, Agnst - 0

at New Writtle Street (as Chelmsford's home ground): Plyd - 15, Won - 5, Drawn - 1, Lost - 9, For - 20, Agnst - 41

Complete Record: Plyd - 22, Won - 6, Drawn - 4, Lost - 12, For - 28, Agnst - 41