The tie, which will take place on either Tuesday 23rd August 2005 or Wednesday 24th August 2005, with a 7:45 p.m. kick-off, will represent the first time that the Seasiders have faced the relegated Premiership side since an F.A. Cup third round defeat in January 1995. On that occasion, United lost 2-0 at the Dell.
The two sides have not met in a League match since the 1959/60 campaign, when the Saints defeated Blues on three occasions – 4-2 at Roots Hall, 3-1 on the south coast and also 3-0 at the Dell in the F.A. Cup second round. That was in the old Third Division, but you have to travel back to 21st September 1957 in Division Three (South) for the last Southend triumph, 3-2 at Roots Hall.
The clash is sure to be a sell-out, and manager Steve Tilson has already declared, “You couldn’t get a tougher draw than that, and it’s a great tie for us.” Overall, United have won five of their home matches with the Saints, losing three and drawing two. The head-to-head in all competitions, home and away, reads 10-7 to Southampton. Blues haven't won in the compeitition for seven seasons.
Full Draw (ties to be played 23/24 August 2005)
Northern Section
Preston North End v Barnsley
Chesterfield v Huddersfield Town
Blackpool v Hull City
Mansfield Town v Stoke City
Rotherham United v Port Vale
Nottingham Forest v Macclesfield Town
Sheffield United v Boston United
Derby County v Grimsby Town
Leeds United v Oldham Athletic
Wrexham v Doncaster Rovers
Scunthorpe United v Tranmere Rovers
Stockport County v Sheffield Wednesday
Bury v Leicester City
Rochdale v Bradford City
Hartlepool United v Darlington
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chester City
Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra
Burnley v Carlisle United
Southern Section
Reading v Swansea City
Gillingham v Oxford United
Milton Keynes Dons v Norwich City
Plymouth Argyle v Peterborough United
Shewsbury Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
Cheltenham Town v Brentford
Northampton Town v Queens Park Rangers
Millwall v Bristol Rovers
Watford v Notts County
Rushden & Diamonds v Coventry City
Bristol City v Barnet
Colchester United v Cardiff City
Torquay United v AFC Bournemouth
Ipswich Town v Yeovil Town
Southend United v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Walsall
Swindon Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Leyton Orient v Luton Town
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com