It was certainly a strange scene for a football match as Gray’s home ground has been turned completely into a building site with only a small area of standing available within the half-demolished Main Stand. Apparantly Athletic are allowed to commence their Nationwide Conference South campaign at The Rec, but we are all quite sure it would easily fail any safety certificate!
In all honesty the state of the ground was the only talking point of a match, which, being totally honest, was dreadful.
The strong Southend following was however treated to a starting line-up which, we guess, will be very similar to next Saturday’s League Two opener against Cheltenham Town with probably only Kevin Maher for Lewis Hunt and Wayne Gray for Tes Bramble coming into the side.
Frustratingly though, against a Grays side including three ex-Shrimpers in Carl Emberson, Daniel Lunan and Stuart Thurgood, Steve Tilson’s side could not find the back of the net and only had squandered opportunities to look back upon.
The first period was unfortunately by far the poorest of the halves, and indeed the first real chance did npot arrive until the 23rd minute when Mark Gower somehow slipped a shot wide of the far post after rounding Emberson after a neat run.
Emberson, who was released from his contract at Roots Hall towards the end of last season, then made a decent save when he pushed Lawrie Dudfield’s deflected effort around the post.
Half-time: Grays Athletic 0 Southend United 0
Once again the second half saw wholesale changes for United, and only Gower and Andy Edwards eventually saw out the ninety minutes.
The match did see some more action after the break, but despite not ever really looking like conceding, it was United who were the criminals, with various efforts flying wide of the target.
Grays best two chances arrived early in the second half when big striker Vil Powell saw two effrts zip just over the crossbar before Southend’s first chance of the second period saw Edwards head a Maher corner into the arms of Emberson after the Athletic custodian had initially tip a Hunt effort, from a low Gower cross, over the bar.
On the hour mark another Edwards header from a Maher flag kick found its way into the gloves of Emberson before Hunt fired over the top from 25 yards.
Jimmy Corbett also came close twice, firstly nodding a Che Wilson centre slightly too high before seeing a fierce effort blocked by defender Steve Robinson.
It was the home side who had the last chance of a very hot afternoon when Thurgod dragged a shot wide of the upright after a powerful run.
It seemed a shame that United never really got going, but in such scorching heat it gave clear evidence that Tilson’s troops are fighting fit for the new season. Of course we’re now all eagerly awaiting next Saturday and the visit of Cheltenham Town…
MATCH FACTS
GRAYS ATHLETIC...(0) 0 SOUTHEND UNITED (0) 0
Pre-Season Friendly, Saturday, 31st July 2004 @ The Recreation Ground
Line-ups:
The Blues (4-4-2; white shirts with blue trim, white shorts shorts, white socks):- Carl Emberson; Joe Bruce, Daniel Lunan, Chris Wild (Ellis Remy 71), Eddie Youds (Steve Robinson ht); Dean Brennan (Ade Olayinka 85), Martin Carthy, Stuart Thurgood, John Butte (Mitch Cole 68); Vil Powell, Rocky Baptiste (Freddie Eastwood 65). Unused subs – Steve Overland, Dean Bradshaw.
The Shrimpers (4-4-2; navy with white trim, navy, navy):- Bart Griemink (Darryl Flahavan ht); Duncan Jupp (Stuart Williams 82), Nicky Nicolau (Che Wilson ht), Andy Edwards, Spencer Prior (Adam Barrett ht); Mark Bentley (Kevin Maher ht), Lewis Hunt (Lawrie Dudfield 85), Carl Pettefer (Michael Husbands 58), Mark Gower; Lawrie Dudfield (Wayne Gray ht), Tesfaye Bramble (Jimmy Corbett ht).
Total Goal Efforts: Grays 10, Southend 12
Shots/headers on target: Grays 4, Southend 3
Shots/headers off target: Grays 2, Southend 7
Blocked shots: Grays 4, Southend 2
Hit Woodwork: Grays 0, Southend 0
Corners: Grays 3, Southend 8
Free Kicks: Grays 13, Southend 8
Caught Offside: Grays 3, Southend 4
Match Time:
First Half: 45:02. Second Half: 44:55. Total: 89:57
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com