Shakers see off Shrimpers second half revival
Last updated : 24 October 2010 By westfield shrimper
Blues boss Paul Sturrock decided to make five changes after the poor performance last weekend against Crewe.
The more usual 4-4-2 formation saw Peter Gilbert come back at left-back for Johnny Herd, Josh Simpson return at right midfield having recovered from his man-flu, Ryan Hall swapped places with Louie Soares wide left.
It was in attack though that would have brought a smile to the travelling Blues faithful as Barry Corr and Blair Sturrock both returned from injuries with Waide Fairhurst dropping to the bench.
However, Johnny Herd, Luke Prosser and Matt Paterson were all dropped from of the squad as predicted by S24 but young midfielder Alex Woodyard was promoted after impressing for Blues Two's.
Former Shrimpers centre-back Efe Sodje starts for the Shakers.
As this would have been the eleven we would have selected given the injuries, suspensions and Luggy's known dislike of Matty, we can have no excuses if it goes pear shaped, and as early as the fourth minute it nearly did!
The rookie ref Mark Brown decided that Chris Parker had fouled the Shakers ManU loanee Nicholas Ajose in the box, arguably a dive but we warned he was a handful, so up stepped Ryan Lowe, and his poor effort was kept out by the much-criticised Glen Morris.
Booking for Bury's Damien Mozia for cluttering Anthony Grant, seems to be an regular tactic by most teams now, they know who our most dangerous player is!
Southend are playing the ball around well enough after that shock start, as they have done in many recent games, but are doing little with it.
On the other hand Bury continue to look dangerous when they go forward and Ryan Lowe seems to be on a one-man mission to make up for his penalty miss with a couple of shots on goal that Morris dealt with well enough.
So after all the hard work, when it looked as if the Shrimpers had done enough to go into the break level, Michael Timlin gave away a free-kick in the 41st minute, Steven Scumacher put it in the danger area, and Joe Skarz was there to head home from close range.
Second half and Sturrock obviously had a few stern words as his side livened and started to give Bury a real game.
Son Blair, who along with Corr, has certainly helped retain the ball for the Shrimpers in the final third, has a header go close on 52 minutes.
Three minutes late Lowe tries again at the other end but his shot goes wide left.
Then another chance missed when Josh Simpson sees his shot from only six yards beaten away by Bury keeper Cameron Belford.
Corr is certainly putting the effort in after his lay-off but keeps getting caught off-side, though he should have done better with a great chance early on when he headed over when easier to score.
However, after a clash of heads Belford has with the tall striker it's the Shakers shot stopper who comes off on the hour and replaced by debutant teenager Richie Branagan, that will add some injury time on at the end.
66 minutes and a great shot by Michael Timlin, well saved by the new home No.1, and that's the cue for Luggy to bring on Louie Soares for the quiet Hall.
Meanwhile Lowe shoots again straight at Morris, he may get one right before the end!
Nathaniel Jarvis in maybe his last chance to stay a Shrimper as he replaces Blair Sturrock on 78 minutes, on 80 Timlin grabs a yellow, on 85 a Soares corner is easily cleared, but then Jarvis is found in a good position, misses. Taxi to Cardiff.
Sodje gets a tackle in, he's alive!
Last throw of the dice for Luggy as he brings on Waide Faithurst for.....Graham Coughlan, he's going for it as the 239 travelling fans screamed their support!
Sadly for United it's not enough, and the Shakers see out the five minutes of stoppage time to inflict the Essex side's third successive defeat with highly placed Rotherham United due at Roots Hall in a week's time.
The pressure is building on Sturrock's Shrimpers.
Southend United markings: Morris 8, Clohessy 7, Gilbert 6, Coughlan 6 (Fairhurst 89), Barker 6, Hall 6 (Soares 67 5), Simpson 7, Timlin 6, Grant 6, Sturrock 5 (Jarvis 78 5), Corr 6.
Referee: Mr. M. Brown - 5.
Do you think the manager's days at Roots Hall are numbered? Vote here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/polls/voting_polls.asp
| Npower League Two, Saturday, 23rd October 2010 @ 15:00 |
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| | 51.4% | Possession | 48.6% | | 1 | Goal Attempts | 0 | | 1 | On Target | 0 | | 0 | Off Target | 0 | | 0 | Hit Woodwork | 0 | | 7 | Corners | 2 |
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| Referee | | Mark Brown | | Attendance | | 3,531 |
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| Bury Cards | | Mozika | 6 | Unsporting behaviour | | Southend Utd. Cards | | Timlin | 81 | Unsporting behaviour |
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