Shrimpers soaked in Brandy as Gills go into second round

Last updated : 15 November 2009 By westfield shrimper
It was a game too far for Tilly's boys as a decent enough eleven on the pitch, but with O'Keefe and Freedman coming in for the suspended McCormack and Barnard, not able to repeat last week's 1-0 league victory over Gillingham.

This time around though Gillingham had the skills of Manchester United loanee striker Febian Brandy, who looks a decent signing on this showing.

Even so, the now administration free Southend had chances to take the lead, the best falling to Dougie Freedman, who headed over the bar after former Blues keeper Simon Royce pushed up a James Walker shot into his path.

Then came the home sides turn. The referee decided that Simon Francis had pushed Brandy in the box but the travelling faithful saw a first, a Mildenhall penalty save! Big Steve diving to his left to push Simeon Jackson's spot-kick wide.

Would have had one of those against Brentford because sadly this one wasn't going to count, after Barcham had blazed the ball over the Blues crossbar, Gillingham took control of the tie with two goals in three minutes.

First, on 25 minutes, it was Curtis Brandy, playing a nice one-two with Brandy, placed the ball over the advancing Mildenhall.

Three minutes late, Fabian Brandy himself got on in the act, shooting low from the left past the Shrimpers keeper.

Any thoughts of a comeback probably ended when just after the half hour when Johnny Herd limped off and Anthony Grant went to left back with Jean-Francois Christophe going to centre-half, leaving Damien Scannell to try and cause some damage down the left wing, the Moose moving into his favoured centre.

However, it was to be ex-Blues midfielder Mark Bentley who was to confirm the end of Southend's cup dreams for another season, heading the ball home of the left-hand post in the 62nd minute.

Now it was a case of seeing the last half hour out without seeing any more damage, meaning injuries to players than further Gills goals, and at least that was achieved.

There was even the sight of Dougie missing another sitter, this time a real open goal, as a deflected shot from Walker fell to his feet but somehow he placed the ball wide.

Roycey also had to make a good save from a Christophe header, and there was a cheer when youth player Kyle Asante made his first team debut as a sub for Walker, yet most supporting Shrimpers were happy to hear the final whistle and head home with a club still to cheer on next week at Yeovil.

e.on-sponsored F.A. Cup, Saturday, 7th November 2009 @ 15:00; KRBS Priestfield Stadium
Click for Gillingham squad list
Weston 25
Brandy 28
Bentley 62
 
Click for Southend United squad list
 Starting Line-ups
1 Royce
16 Gowling
20 Fry
2 Fuller
4 Lewis (Maher 61)
8 Bentley
9 Palmer
26 Weston
29 Brandy (McCammon 70)
10 Jackson
11 Barcham (Nutter 63)
 Substitutes
3 Nutter (Barcham 63)
7 Maher (Lewis 61)
21 Oli
23 Julian
27 Rooney
28 Payne
30 McCammon (Brandy 70)
Goal Attempts
5On Target2
2Off Target8
Hit Woodwork
2Offsides3
3Corners7
17Fouls11
 Starting Line-ups
1 Mildenhall
2 Francis
6 Barrett
18 Herd (Scannell 31)
4 Christophe
7 Grant
14 Moussa
22 O'Keefe
10 Walker (Asante 83)
16 Freedman
26 Laurent (Okai 89)
 Substitutes
12 Scannell (Herd 31)
24 Joyce
31 Asante (Walker 83)
33 Okai (Laurent 89)
Referee
R Shoebridge, Derbyshire
Attendance
4605
Gillingham Cards
Fry33unsporting behaviour
Fuller44unsporting behaviour
Southend Utd. Cards
(none)