Southend United 2 Ipswich Town 4

It was the Shrimpers first outing of the pre-season campaign, and for much of the squad it was the first time that they had played together in the United colours. Apart from the seven new summer signings, Millwall trialist Leke Odunsi also started the match in midfield, with Che Wilson (Cambridge City), Michael Husbands (Aston Villa) and Ian Joy (Kidderminster Harriers) also looking for a chance to impress in the second period.

There is no doubt that Southend started as by far the brightest of the two sides and dominated the opening stages; taking the lead in as early as the fifth minute. James Corbett, a left sided attacking midfielder who arrived from Blackburn Rovers sending over an inch perfect cross for Mark Gower, a £25,000 from Barnet, who struck home a very well executed half volley past young goalkeeper Lewis Price from a somewhat of a tight angle. Indeed, early indications are the the Corbett and Gower partnership on each flank could prove very prosperous for the Shrimpers.

Drewe Broughton came close to poking United further in front seven minutes later, but hsaving latched onto a Bramble knock down the big striker, who was signed from Kidderminster Harriers, saw his effort interecpted by Town's 16-year old defender Aidan Collins.

Another new recruit at Roots Hall, goalkeeper Carl Emberson from Luton Town made a fantastic point blank stop from Marcus Bent on the half hour mark before Southend doubled their advantage on 36 minutes. This time Kevin Maher fed Gower who's swinging cross was flicked on by the head of Broughton to Tes Bramble who took to touch to evade his marker before calmly and neatly slotting a low shot past Price.

However Ipswich hauled themselves back into the match within just 41 seconds, a Jim Magilton corner wasn't properly cleared and the ball eventually fell to Ian Westlake who struck a perfect shot past Emberson from 20 yards. Just three minutes later though and disaster struck for United as their visitors equalised. Marcus Bent finding space to set himself up for a simply unstoppable shot which flew past Emberson from 30 yards.

A first half which ultimately the Shrimpers will be disappointed with having let their lead slip came to a close with Price doing very well to tip a Gower shot around the post.

Steve Wignall made six changes to his side at half time, and with Town boss Joe Royle changing each one of his players escept for goalkeeper Price, the second period was never going to live up to the same billing as the thoroughly entertaining first half.

Lively trialist Michael Husbands nodded a Broughton centre just off target as the first action of the half arrived, but just ten minutes after the interval the Suffolk side took the lead. Darren Bent reacted first to a deep looping cross before taking the ball around the outstrecthed Emberson before sliding the ball into the unguared net.

Tes Bramble slides home United's second goal against Ipswich.

Neil Jenkins, as vibrant as ever, created opportunities for himself, but unfortunately twice he had shots which failed to fully test Price hoever Husbands really threatened on 73 minutes when he fired a shot inches over the top after an excellent run.

The match was as good as over when Town struck their fourth goal six minutes from time, Pablo Counago finding himself unmarked within the six yard box to comfortably head home a neat Nabil Abidallah cross.

Shrimpers boss Wignall will have learnt a lot from this United performance, and there is no doubt that he will be disappointed to let a two goal lead slip, even though the opposition are two division's above his side. Southend however will have another chance to fine-tune themselves in a weeks time when Gillingham, also of Division One, visit Roots Hall.

SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Carl Emberson 7; Duncan Jupp 6, Jamie Stuart 7 (Che Wilson 46, 7), Leon Cort 7, Mark Warren 7 (David McSweeney 46, 6); Kevin Maher 6, Leke Odunsi 7 (Ian Joy 46, 6), Mark Gower 8 (Neil Jenkins 46, 7), James Corbett 8 (Steven Clark 46, 6); Tesfaye Bramble 8 (Michael Husbands 46, 7), Drewe Broughton 8 (Michael Kightly 85).

IPSWICH TOWN (4-4-2):- Lewis Price; Fabien Wilnis (Steven Towers 46), Aidan Collins (Gerard Nash 46), Drisso Diallo (Richard Naylor 46), Chris Makin (Chris Hogg 46); Jim Magilton (Nabil Abidallah 46), Thomas Gaardsoe (Tommy Miller 46), Ian Westlake (Antonio Murray 46), Martijn Reuser (Dean Bowditch 46); Marcus Bent (Darren Bent 46), Alun Armstrong (Pablo Counago 46).

TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Drewe Broughton.
Looks like he could well be the targetman that United have been looking for. Won everything in the air all night and looks like the ideal partner for Tes Bramble. Very strong and looked committed to the cause.

MATCH STATS -PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY - Tue, 15th July.
Goals: Southend: Gower 6 (connected onto a good Corbett cross and crashed a well-struck half-volley past goalkeeper from an angle; inside area. Goal timed at 5 minutes 14 seconds), Bramble 36 (latched onto a well placed flick on by Broughton before taking a step aside and slotting home from slight angle; inside area. Timed at 35:30). Ipswich: Westlake 37 (a corner that was not properly cleared fell loose to Westlake who drove home from 20 yards; outside area. Timed at 36:11), Marcus Bent 40 (superb shot which found thr top left hand corner from fully 30 yards; outside area. Timed at 39:02), Darren Bent 55 (having been fed by a looping Abidallah cross, Bent took the ball around Emberson before slipping the ball into empty net; inside area, Timed at 54:39), Counago 84 (headed in a well placed Abidallah cross from close range; inside area. Timed at 83:07)
Booked: None.
Shots/headers on target: Southend 5, Ipswich 9
Shots/headers off target: Southend 12, Ipswich 7
Blocked shots: Southend 1, Ipswich 1
Hit woodwork: Southend 0, Ipswich 0
Free Kicks: Southend 11, Ipswich 13
Corners: Southend 3, Ipswich 8
Caught Offside: Southend 4, Ipswich 3
Match Time: First half: 46:48. Second half: 47:42. Total: 94:30.

Attendance: 3,132 (565 away fans).
Referee: Mick Thorpe (Woodbridge) 6 out of 10.

Programme Cover: Leon Cort and Drewe Broughton.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com

Southend United 2 Ipswich Town 4

Last updated : 16 July 2003 By Mark Wallis