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Maldon however, who featured a whole host of trialists, were exceptionally determined and could easily have taken the lead in just the second minute, Shrimpers goalkeeper Ryan Robinson making a fantastic point blank save from ex-Sudbury frontman Ian Brown.
It was only four minutes later though that United notched up what proved to be the only goal of the evening. A Mark Gower corner - one of the fourteen flag kicks that the Shrimpers earned - looped to the back post where Leon Cort lost his marker and leapt the highest to head intn the corner across goalkeeper Paul Catley. As Steve Wignall's team looked to increase their advantage, Michael Husbands side-footed a Gower free kick against the foot of a post.
Craig Huttley fired a free kick over the top of Robinson's crossbar before Tommy Noble nodded an Ian Thompson centre straight at the Blues custodian.
Cort then headed a Jamie Stuart cross over the top before Husbands shot inches wide of the upright after a fine run. Cort, again, headed a Gower corner over the bar from a tight angle and then Husbands, reacting as quick as ever, raced onto a loose ball and outpaced the Town defence before poking the ball just wide of the target despite the on-rushing Catley.
The first action of the second half saw Tes Bramble squander a great opportunity for United as he poked the ball just wide after more fabulous work by Husbands brought a great run and cut-back. It was Bramble again who skidded a low shot into the arms of ex-Braintree Town stopper Catley five minutes later.
Former Barnet man Gower, waering the captains armband for the evening, fired a half volley into the side netting before Bramble side-footed a free kick against the crossbar on 63 minutes.
Che Wilson, making his second start in a Blues shirt in a right back role, dragged a shot inches off target after a neat run, and Catley pushed a Bramble shot - from a Leke Odunsi cross - around the post before a Gower corner saw Bramble's downward header hacked off the line by Mark Emerson.
United struck the woodwork for the third time in the 80th minute when Cort thundered a header against the post following an in-swinging Gower corner before the last action saw Gower scuff a shot over the bar after an impressive run and low centre from Steven Clark.
MALDON TOWN (4-4-2):- Paul Catley; Gary McSweeney, Chris Wilson, Shaun Bell, Mark Emerson; Paul Shave, Craig Huttley, Ian Thompson, Judd Coe; Ian Brown, Tommy Noble.
SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Ryan Robinson 8; Che Wilson 7, Jamie Stuart 7, Leon Cort 7, David McSweeney 7; Leke Odunsi 6, Jamie Fullarton 8 (Kevin Maher 79), Mark Gower 7, Steven Clark 7; Tesfaye Bramble 6, Michael Husbands 7 (Michael Kightly 73, 8). Unused subs - Stuart Williams, Carl Emberson.
TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Jamie Fullarton.
No Southend player really stood out from the rest in this scrappy match, but the man-of-the-match award goes to new signing Jamie Fullarton, a man who despite once picking up an horrific ankle injury, still isn't afraid to put his foot in where it hurts, and iften coming out with the ball. A very vocal player who could well keep United motivated during the coming season.
MATCH STATS - PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY - Tue, 29th July.
Booked: None.
Total Goal Attempts: Maldon 2, Southend 18
Shots/headers on target: Maldon 1, Southend 5
Shots/headers off target: Maldon 1, Southend 10
Blocked shots: Maldon 0, Southend 0
Hit woodwork: Maldon 0, Southend 3
Free Kicks: Maldon 18, Southend 15
Corners: Maldon 3, Southend 14
Caught Offside: Maldon 3, Southend 8
Match Time: First half: 46:49. Second half: 46:45. Total: 93:34.
Attendance: approx 300.
SHRIMPERS FILE
- MALDON included
one former Shrimpers player in their line-up at the Wallace Binder Ground, right back Chris Wilson, who last season turned out for Heybridge Swifts, was released by United following the second year of his scholarship in 2002.- BLUES striker Tes Bramble might feel sentimental towards the Wallace Binder as it was at that ground, as a bright-eyed 17-year old that he made his competitive eague debut for Chelmsford City against Fisher Athletic in the Dr Martens league.
- KEVIN Baron, who holds the Shrimpers record for the most goal scored in one season - 35 - became manager of Maldon Town in the 1960's following his departure from Roots Hall. Unfortunately Baron died only a few years from a brain tumur.
- SOUTHEND were in fact the first side to play at the Wallace Binder Ground in July 1994, Town won the match 3-2.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com