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There is of course a huge influx of former United players at the Park Lane club with Stuart Thurgood, released by the Shrimpers two months ago, joining up with Scott Forbes, Lee Boylan, Steve Parmenter, Jeff Minton and Craig Davidson. However Ben Chenery, Ty Gooden, Neil Midgeley and Neil and David Gregory have both also played League football.
The two sides last met in the summer of 2001 in a pre-season friendly at Park Lane, but despite Tes Bramble handing the Shrimpers at first half lead, Steve Tilson levelled things up with a penalty after the break. The previous season of course United had met the Islanders in an FA Cup Second Round clash which had been switched to Roots Hall and watched by a crowd of 12,409. Forbes, ten a Shrimper and Ben Abbey put United comfortably into the lead before Wayne Vaughan pulled a goal back in the final minute. Canvey had dramatically seen-off Port Vale in the previous round, scoring twice in injury time at Park Lane to draw 4-4 before snatching a 2-1 victory at Vale Park.
We'll all see you at Roots Hall this afternoon for what looks like a a fascinating game, and then, next Saturday is an even bigger one for United fans; the first meeting for four years with our biggest rivals from North Essex - Colchester United.
In between, Blues are travelling to Maldon Town's Wallace Binder Ground on Tuesday night, 7:45pm kick-off.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Essex Senior Cup, 3rd Round, 15th October, 1995 - Southend United 6 Canvey Island 0
Essex Senior Cup, 3rd Round, 12th November, 1996 - Southend United 3 Canvey Island 1
Essex Thameside Trophy, Semi-Final, 6th May, 1999 - Canvey Island 0 Southend United 3
Essex Senior Cup, Semi-Final, 6th March, 2000 - Canvey Island 2 Southend United 1
FA Cup Second Round, 10th December, 2000 - Canvey Island 1 Southend United 2 @ Roots Hall
In Southend:-
at Roots Hall: P 3, W 3, D 0, L 0, F 11, A 2
In Canvey:-
at Park Lane: P 2, W 1, D 0, L 1, F 4, A 2
Overall: P 5, W 4, D 0, L 1, F 15, A 4