Macclesfield Town vs. Southend United – Preview

Michael Husbands may return to the side from the start

After going thirteen straight matches without so much as a single point, the Shrimpers then drew 1-1 thanks to Leon Constantine at Scunthorpe, 0-0 at Darlington in a boring draw and finally, that elusive first victory since January 14^th 2003, won 2-1 at Kidderminster Harriers courtesy of Tesfaye Bramble’s stoppage time winner. However, since then, United have lost to Leyton Orient and Boston United at Roots Hall, and find themselves three points adrift in the relegation zone.

Calls have already started from the Roots Hall faithful for Steve Wignall’s head, and the manager has received the dreaded vote of confidence from deputy chairman Ron Martin, who told the Southend Evening Echo on Wednesday, “I won’t be making any knee-jerk reactoons” – almost identical to the phrase he muttered just days before sacking previous boss Rob Newman. As a result Wignall will be feeling the heat, and he knows that the team must contain more passion and commitment to the eleven that started on Tuesday night.

To that end, the former Colchester United and Doncaster Rovers chief may make a plethora of changes – starting up front, where Drewe Broughton has failed to score a goal since August 12^th and that only in the Carling Cup at home to Swindon Town. Tesafye Bramble has recovered from the mild concussion he suffered on Saturday against the O’s to take his place in the side, finally alongside Leon Constantine in a 4-4-2 formation. The ex-Millwall man may also have a defensive job to do as Wignall prefers to play 4-5-1 away from home. Michael Husbands is likely to be on the bench again.

Tough-tackling Jamie Fullarton will certainly miss out after tearing his abductor muscle in his groin, and he joins Leke Odunsi and Jimmy Corbett as midfielders on the sidelines. The injury may hand Neil Jenkins an opportunity to come back into the side after he was astoundingly left out following a superb display against Bristol Rovers in the LDV Vans Trophy. Jay Smith, who has been out of sorts, Kevin Maher, another to have looked lacklustre as captain, and Mark Gower, one of the few shining lights in recent weeks, complete the midfield possibilities, with Michael Kightly likely to be left at home following the F.A. Youth Cup defeat last night.

In defence, Mark Warren may return after his slight knock, but Wignall will be keen to ensure that the ex-Notts County talent doesn’t come back too quickly as he attempted against Orient a week ago. Dave McSweeney and Leon Cort remain favourites for the central defensive positions, whilst Duncan Jupp and Jamie Stuart should be the full-backs. The manager has been unable to bring in any loan signings, so the squad remains threadbare, with Che Wilson still not match fit. Darryl Flahavan, having signed a contract until the end of the season, will play in goal.

The home side have lost just once at Moss Rose this season, to promotion-chasing Doncaster Rovers, although they find themselves deep in the mire three points ahead of Southend in 20^th place. Steven Clark is ineligible as part of his loan deal, but has returned to the Hall early anyway after aggravating a groin problem. Highly-rated Aston Villa goalkeeper Boaz Myhill is doubtful after being stretchered off against Lincoln a week ago, whilst David Smith definitely misses out. Steve Macauley serves the first match of a three-game ban. Danny Whittaker is the midfield playmaker and danger man.

**Unfortunately we are unable to bring you a Getting To Know You for Macclesfield Town this week due to work commitments. The archived edition from March last year, with many of tomorrows players, is available from ‘The Opposition’ index on the left-hand navigation bar**

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mark Cooper (West Midlands)

Assistant Referees: Patrick Keane (West Midlands), Robert Shoebridge (Derbyshire)

Cooper is now in his fourth season as a Football League referee, and has celebrated that fact with 49 bookings and four red cards so far in the 2003/4 campaign. The Walsall-born official last took charge of a Third Division match in mid-August, and has since been in charge of Division One and Two fixtures. This will be his first Southend United encounter in the middle, although he has officiated three Macclesfield games in the past, with no dismissals as yet.

TEAM FORM

Last Matches

Tuesday 21^st October 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Roots Hall

Southend United 0 Boston United 2 (Lee Thompson 59, Simon Weatherstone 76) [attendance: 2,463]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Jamie Stuart, Dave McSweeney (Michael Husbands 81); Jay Smith (Michael Kightly, half-time), Kevin Maher, Jamie Fullarton, Mark Gower; Drewe Broughton (Tesfaye Bramble 64), Leon Constantine. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Neil Jenkins.

Tuesday 21^st October 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Sincil Bank

Lincoln City 3 (Peter Gain 24, Richard Butcher 56, Francis Green 90) Macclesfield Town 2 (Matthew Tipton 55, 79) [attendance: 3,441]. Macclesfield Town line-up (4-4-2): Boaz Myhill (Steve Wilson 90); George Abbey, Karl Munroe, Danny Adams, Michael Welch; Danny Whitaker, David Flitcroft, Tommy Widdrington, David Beresford (Colin Little 61); Matthew Tipton, Martin Carruthers (Matt Haddrell 81). Subs not used: Chris Priest, John Miles.

Last Five Matches

Southend United

L0-2 (home; Boston United; League Division Three)

L1-2 (home; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Leon Constantine)

W2-1 (home; Bristol Rovers; LDV Vans Trophy; Leon Constantine, Mark Gower)

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

L1-2 (home; Huddersfield Town; League Division Three; Leke Odunsi)

Macclesfield Town

L2-3 (away; Lincoln City; League Division Three; Matthew Tipton 2)

W1-0 (away; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Matthew Tipton)

L1-2 (away; Chesterfield; LDV Vans Trophy; Danny Adams)

L1-3 (home; Doncaster Rovers; League Division Three; Martin Carruthers)

L0-2 (away; Leyton Orient; League Division Three)

Southend United away form

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

D0-0 (League Division Three; Darlington)

D1-1 (League Division Three; Scunthorpe United; Leon Constantine)

L2-3 (League Division Three; Hull City; Leon Constantine, Tesfaye Bramble)

L0-2 (League Division Three; Oxford United)

Macclesfield Town home form

L1-3 (League Division Three; Doncaster Rovers; Martin Carruthers)

W2-1 (League Division Three; Rochdale; Daryl Burgess [o.g.], Danny Whitaker)

D0-0 (League Division Three; York City)

D1-1 (League Division Three; Kidderminster Harriers; Colin Little)

W4-1 (League Division Three; Yeovil Town; Martin Carruthers 2, Danny Whitaker 2)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])

Played: 15 [7]

Won: 3 [1]

Drawn: 3 [2]

Lost: 9 [4]

Scored: 10 [5]

Conceded: 18 [11]

Goal Difference: -8 [-6]

Points: 12 [5]

Position: 23^rd [20^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: draw to be made on Saturday 25^th October 2003

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Swindon Town (home) 2-3

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: beat Bristol Rovers (home) 2-1 after extra time

Second Round: vs. Swansea City (away) on Tuesday 4^th November 2003

Macclesfield Town

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played: 15 [7]

Won: 3 [2]

Drawn: 6 [4]

Lost: 6 [1]

Scored: 17 [9]

Conceded: 23 [7]

Goal Difference: -6 [+2]

Points: 15 [10]

Position: 20^th [17^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: draw to be made on Saturday 25^th October 2003

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Sheffield United (home) 1-2

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: lost to Chesterfield (away) 1-2

THE HISTORY

Last Match

Last Five Meetings

1st March 2003 – Macclesfield Town 2 (David Eaton 65, Kyle Lightbourne 80) Southend United 1 (Neil Jenkins 88) – League Division Three

14th September 2002 – Southend United 1 (Leon Cort 26) Macclesfield Town 0 – League Division Three

20th April 2002 – Macclesfield Town 0 Southend United 0 – League Division Three

9th November 2001 – Southend United 3 (Mark Rawle 2, 72, Tesfaye Bramble 78) Macclesfield Town 0 – League Division Three

21st April 2001 – Macclesfield Town 1 (Lee Glover 29 [pen]) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

The Complete Head-to-Head Record

2002/3 – H1-0 A1-2 (League)

2001/2 – H3-0 A0-0 (League)

2000/1 – H3-1 A0-1 (League)

1999/2000 – H1-0 A2-1 (League)

Summary

Overall (8 matches)
Southend United 5

Macclesfield Town 2

Draws 1

In The League (8 matches)
Southend United 5

Macclesfield Town 2

Draws 1

At Moss Rose (4 matches)

Southend United 1

Macclesfield Town 2

Draws 1

Robert Craven

www.thelittlegazette.com