Clacton Town vs. Southend United – Preview

The two sides have very rarely met in this competition, at least in recent times, although Blues have had the better of three other previous meetings in competitive fixtures. Twice the Shrimpers have triumphed over the Seasiders in the Essex Professional Cup at the final stage, whilst arguably the biggest match in Clacton’s history occurred in 1960, when Southend won an F.A. Cup first round proper tie by three goals to one.

Until fifteen years ago, Clacton were still playing at their Old Road ground, which also played host to Clacton Cricket Club. However, they now reside in the rather more plush surroundings of the Rush Green Bowl, predictably in the outskirts of the popular seaside resort in Rush Green, around one-and-a-half miles from the town centre. It is also a similar distance from the railway station, so any Shrimpers planning on travelling by train should be warned that the final departure is at 22:25.

United will undoubtedly send out a reserve side in the Essex Senior Cup, although a number of first-team players may also be on duty in a carbon copy of the team’s third round victory, albeit 6-5 on penalty kicks, over Ryman Premier side Ford United. Coach Steve Tilson has been heavily involved as a caretaker manager of the senior side in the past month since the departure of Steve Wignall, but now he will be able to take a slight rest in this slightly less hectic reserve clash.

As Blues travel to the north of the county, they will do so with a wealth of experience in the goalkeeping position. Carl Emberson was the man-of-the-match in the third round tie, not just for denying Ford with a series of fine blocks during normal and extra time, but also for clawing away three of the non-League team’s eight spot-kicks. He should start despite worries over his fitness, with Ryan Robinson, who had a month on loan at Town’s neighbours Wivenhoe Town, deputising.

The defence should also be significantly bolstered by the return from suspension of Under-19s captain Jamie Gray, who has now served out a three-match ban for a red card obtained earlier in the month. His partner at the back is expected to be former Colchester United man Mark Warren, whose own one-match suspension from senior football does not kick in until the F.A. Cup fixture against Lincoln City on Saturday. Neil Jenkins remains banned from competitive games, so one of Jordan Kelly, Jamie Stuart or Steve Tilson will fill in at left-back. Duncan Jupp’s broken toe is likely to keep him out, so Stuart Williams will play on the other side.

In midfield, there is a plethora of choice for Tilson and Paul Brush to choose from. Michael Kightly, fresh from lighting up an otherwise dull day with a good ten minutes at Torquay United in the 3-0 reverse at the weekend, should be employed on the right. Former West Ham United winger Steven Clark should fill the vacancy on the opposite flank having also performed well on the English Riviera.

In the centre, one familiar face will certainly be missing; Anthony Clark has left for pastures new, with the probability of a professional contract low, the London-born ex-Millwall youngster has gone to Maldon Town, where he scored on his debut. We at The Little Gazette wish Anthony all the best for the future – he always had time for a quick word and gave us many enjoyable memories on the pitch. In his stead, it is difficult to predict who will be included – one possibility is that Daryl Plummer will play on the left with Steven Clark on the right and Kightly in the middle, another is that Luke Moore and David Bryan could both be included in the centre.

Up front, one near certainty is Michael Husbands, who has barely been in action for the first team since returning from injury, and he is likely to be partnered once again in this competition by Drewe Broughton, who failed to impress in the senior side three days ago. The usual suspects of Joe Ilett and Steven Bourne look set to fill the substitutes’ positions.

Southend’s opponents tonight will be without the experienced Steve Howe, who has retired from football after suffering a number of niggling injuries. However, one man set to make his comeback from injury is former Colchester United man Sean Hillier, the joint top goalscorer with Town this season with seven strikes in all competitions. The Seasiders currently lie in sixth place, just one spot behind Maldon in the league table, and have also progressed to the third round of the East Anglian Cup.

The match gets underway at 7:45 p.m., with admission ₤5 for adults and ₤3 for concessions. It will be quite a trek for most Blues fans, but for those who don’t want to risk the fixture on a weekday evening, The Little Gazette will be covering the match in our regular comprehensive fashion.

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

TEAM FORM

Last Matches

Wednesday 12th November 2003 - Pontin's Holidays Cup @ Sixfields
Northampton Town Reserves 2 (Marc Richards 24, 76) Southend United Reserves 2 (Drewe Broughton 6, 60) [attendance: 136]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Carl Emberson; Frankie Everett, Jordan Kelly, Duncan Jupp (Phil Anderson, half-time), Nick Skelton; Michael Kightly, Anthony Clark, Leon Constantine, Steven Clark (Daryl Plummer 80); Michael Husbands, Drewe Broughton. Sub not used: Nick Morgan.

Saturday 29^th November 2003 – Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Premier Division

Lowestoft Town 0 Clacton Town 0

Clacton Town line-up: Darren Gould, Danny Cattermole, Dave Downs, Richard Cox, Gary Hudson, Scott Gove, Sean Hillier, Paul Westren, Julian Charles, Keith Hetherington, Cameron Gove. Subs: Lenny Park, Glen Eldridge (both used), Scott Clarke (unused)

Last Five Matches

Southend United Reserves
D2-2 (away; Northampton Town; Pontin's Holidays Cup; Drewe Broughton 2)
D1-1 [won 6-5 on pens] (home; Ford United; Essex Senior Cup; Michael Husbands)
D0-0 (home; Norwich City; Pontin's Holidays Combination)
L0-5 (away; Reading; Pontin's Holidays Combination)
L2-3 (home; Wycombe Wanderers; Pontin's Holidays Combination)

Clacton Town

D0-0 (away; Lowestoft Town; Eastern Counties Premier Division)

W4-1 (home; Tiptree United; East Anglian Cup; Dave Downs, Scott Gove, Cameron Gove, Keith Hetherington)

D3-3 (away; Bury Town; Eastern Counties Premier Division; Steff Fella, Keith Hetherington 2)

W2-1 (home; Wroxham; Eastern Counties Premier Division; Sean Hillier, Paul Westren)

W3-2 (away; Waltham Forest; Essex Senior Cup; Sean Hillier, Lee Nash, Julian Charles)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United

Pontin’s Holidays Combination League

Played: 4 | Won: 0 | Drawn: 1 | Lost: 3 | Scored: 2 | Conceded: 10 | Goal Difference: -8 | Points: 1 | Position: 14^th

Pontin’s Holidays Cup Group B

Played: 1 | Won: 0 | Drawn: 1 | Lost: 0 | Scored: 2 | Conceded: 2 | Goal Difference: 0 | Points: 1 | Position: 5^th

Essex Senior Cup

Third Round: beat Ford United (home) 6-5 on penalties after 0-0 draw after extra time

Clacton Town

Ridgeons Eastern Counties League Premier Division

Played: 20 | Won: 9 | Drawn: 8 | Lost: 3 | Scored: 26 | Conceded: 25 | Goal Difference: +1 | Points: 35 | Position: 6^th

F.A. Cup

First Preliminary Round: lost to Enfield Town (away) 1-2

F.A. Vase

First Round: lost to Sawbridgeworth Town (home) 1-2

East Anglian Cup

First Round: beat Needham Town (home) 3-1

Second Round: beat Tiptree United (home) 4-1

Essex Senior Cup

First Round: beat Waltham Abbey (away) 2-1

Second Round: beat Brentwood Town (away) 2-1

Third Round: beat Waltham Forest (away) 3-2

Jewson League Cup

First Round: lost to Wroxham (away) 0-2

SOUTHEND UNITED 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

Semi-Final – Chelmsford City 2 Southend United 0

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

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com