And as the caretaker manager carries out his promise to give all members of the Shrimpers squad adequate opportunity to impress under his jurisdiction, Blues are likely to field a different starting line-up to that which was soundly beaten by two goals to nil at Bootham Crescent last Saturday. On that day, United old boy Lee Nogan and Lee Bullock found it all too easy to beat the Seasiders rearguard, and that is something that will have to be improved before a new manager is appointed.
One man who will certainly miss out is Daryl Sutch. A member of the former Norwich City utility man’s family has fallen ill and Sutch has been granted time away from football to be with them. His absence is more than likely to herald a senior debut for Tottenham Hotspur loan talent Ronnie Henry, a defender who can fill either the right-back or a central role. For tomorrow’s encounter he is favourite to start as a full-back, with Leon Cort and Dave McSweeney in the middle. McSweeney impressed Robson in Yorkshire, one of the few shining lights of a dismal performance.
Damon Searle takes on the left-back position that has become his own over the past few seasons. Stephen Broad will miss out again after stretching his right hamstring on Wednesday in the 3-1 reserve victory over Oxford United; a match where Henry was also taken off as a precaution. Tom Jordan, who has picked up a three-match suspension after being sent off in that game, will still be available tomorrow afternoon; his ban beginning with the clash against Torquay United.
Former Coventry City and Scotland Under-21 midfielder Gavin Strachan is also set to be awarded his first start in Southend colours after a composed second-string display. He will partner Kevin Maher in the centre of the park, with Jay Smith missing the rest of the season with his groin injury. Mark Beard, Brett Darby and Steven Clark are all vying for the right-midfield berth. Clark was introduced to the match at Bootham Crescent, but also netted in Steve Tilson’s testimonial. He is favourite, with Beard’s two goals against Oxford set to land him only a place on the bench. Neil Jenkins should continue on the left side of midfield, with Darby handed a striking position.
The former Leicester City man has already scored at Under-19 and reserve level this season, and will be aiming to complete the set with a goal for the first-team. He could start alongside Mark Rawle, with Tesfaye Bramble struggling to overcome a mystery illness. Barrington Belgrave, who received a savage tackle from ex-England star Ray Wilkins in Tilly’s testimonial, is to undergo a late fitness test to ascertain his fitness levels. Mark Salter definitely misses out with his hamstring twinge.
Stuart Thurgood is set to be dropped from last Saturday’s starting line-up, despite a trademark tenacious display in the centre of the park, chiefly to make way for Strachan’s full debut. A midfielder for whom things are certainly looking up is Michael Kightly. The Basildon-born 17-year-old netted his first reserve goal on Wednesday, having impressed Robson in Monday night’s testimonial and earned a second call-up to the senior squad. He could well make his Third Division debut against the Quakers tomorrow.
Darlington arrive in southeast Essex having won their last two outings with victories over promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United and Bury. However, they will be without top-scorer and former Shrimpers marksman Barry Conlon who is currently serving a suspension for being sent off against Cambridge United last month. Clark Keltie also misses out through suspension, but Ryan Valentine returns from Wales Under-21 action and Danny Mellanby is also available for selection. Playmaker Neil Maddison and young striker Jimmy Corbett are the men to watch out for.
TEAM DETAILS
The Little Gazette predicted Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Ronnie Henry, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Steven Clark, Gavin Strachan, Kevin Maher, Neil Jenkins; Brett Darby, Mark Rawle.
Southend United matchday squad: Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Mark Beard, Ronnie Henry, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Steven Clark, Gavin Strachan, Kevin Maher, Michael Kightly, Neil Jenkins, Mark Rawle, Brett Darby, Barrington Belgrave, Tesfaye Bramble.
Darlington squad: Andy Colett, Chris Porter, Ryan Valentine, Simon Betts, Craig Liddle, Gary Pearson, Stuart Whitehead, Matt Clarke, Tom Newey, David McGurk, Neil Campbell, Richard Hodgson, Jimmy Corbett, Glenn Naylor, Ian Clark, Danny Mellanby, Ashley Nicholls.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Grant Hegley (Bishops Stortford)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Knight (Hove), Kevin Merchant (Surrey)
Hegley will be officiating in his 32nd game of the season on Saturday, having brandished 103 yellow and six red cards this year without taking charge of a Shrimpers match. In February of last year he sent Mark Beard from the field and booked Stephen Broad and Damon Searle as Blues went down by a goal to nil against York City at Roots Hall. Just over a month earlier the match against Rushden & Diamonds had passed with a singular caution. In the season as a whole there were 71 bookings and seven sending offs in 28 matches. Prior to that, Hegley had been in charge of only non-League matches, producing cards at a similar rate to that at which he has in the Football League. His career record stands at 72 matches, 213 yellow cards and 17 of the red variety.
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
York City 2 (Nogan 18, Bullock 45) Southend United 0. Southend United line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Daryl Sutch (Steven Clark 53), Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Tesfaye Bramble, Stuart Thurgood (Gavin Strachan 53), Neil Jenkins; Barrington Belgrave (Brett Darby 69), Mark Rawle. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Ronnie Henry.
Darlington 3 (Corbett 20, Naylor 87, Liddle 90 [pen]) Bury 1 (Connell 11). Darlington line-up: Andy Collett; Craig Liddle, Gary Pearson, Stuart Whitehead, Simon Betts; Clark Keltie, Ashley Nicholls, Neil Maddison, Tom Newey; Danny Mellanby (Glenn Naylor 76), Jimmy Corbett. Subs not used: Chris Porter, Ryan Valentine, Ian Clark, Neil Wainwright.
Last Five Matches
Southend United
L0-2 (away; York City)
W1-0 (home; Leyton Orient; Salter)
L0-2 (home; Swansea City)
L1-2 (away; Hartlepool United; Sutch)
L0-1 (home; Lincoln City)
Darlington
W3-1 (home; Bury; Corbett, Naylor, Liddle [pen])
W1-0 (away; Scunthorpe United; Keltie)
L0-1 (away; Boston United)
D2-2 (home; Exeter City; Mellanby 2)
L1-2 (home; Cambridge United; Mellanby)
Southend United (home)
W1-0 (Leyton Orient; Salter)
L0-2 (Swansea City)
L0-1 (Lincoln City)
W2-1 (Rushden & Diamonds; Rawle, Searle)
D2-2 (Bristol Rovers; Belgrave, Maher)
Darlington (away)
W1-0 (Scunthorpe United; Keltie)
L0-1 (Boston United)
L0-2 (AFC Bournemouth)
D0-0 (Wrexham)
D1-1 (Lincoln City; Conlon)
2002/3 SEASON
Southend United (overall [home])
League
Played: 40 [20]
Won: 15 [10]
Drawn: 3 [1]
Lost: 22 [9]
Scored: 41 [23]
Conceded: 54 [21]
Goal Difference: -13 [+2]
Points: 48 [31]
Position: 14th [12th]
F.A. Cup
Second Round: L2-3 (away; AFC Bournemouth [replay])
Worthington Cup
First Round: L1-4 (home; Wimbledon)
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: L1-6 (away; Swindon Town)
Darlington (overall [away])
League
Played: 40 [20]
Won: 10 [4]
Drawn: 17 [8]
Lost: 13 [8]
Scored: 48 [21]
Conceded: 51 [27]
Goal Difference: -3 [-6]
Points: 47 [20]
Position: 15th [15th]
F.A. Cup
Third Round: L2-3 (home; Farnborough Town)
Worthington Cup
First Round: L0-2 (away; Huddersfield Town)
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: L0-1 (away; Stockport County)
THE HISTORY
Last Meeting
Darlington 2 (Conlon 37, Nicholls 87) Southend United 1 (Bramble 90).
Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Mark Beard, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Damon Searle; Tony Scully, Jay Smith, Kevin Maher, Neil Jenkins (Graeme Jones 54); Tesfaye Bramble, Barrington Belgrave. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Stephen Broad, Stuart Thurgood, Steven Clark
Darlington line-up (4-4-2): Michael Ingham; Ryan Valentine, Stuart Whitehead, Matt Clarke, Simon Betts; Neil Wainwright, Clark Keltie, Ashley Nicholls, Richard Hodgson (Gary Pearson 82); Barry Conlon, Richard Offiong. Subs not used: Chris Porter, Ian Clark, Adam Rundle, Graham Fenton.
Last Five Meetings
30th November 2002 – Darlington 2 (Conlon 37, Nicholls 87) Southend United 1 (Bramble 90) – Third Division
19th January 2002 – Darlington 2 (Heckingbottom 37, Ford 58 [pen]) Southend United 2 (Maher 78, Belgrave 89) – Third Division
11th August 2001 – Southend United 1 (Rawle 80) Darlington 0 – Third Division
3rd April 2001 – Darlington 1 (Naylor 61) Southend United 1 (Bramble 85) – Third Division
26th August 2000 – Southend United 0 Darlington 2 (Liddle 56, Nogan 67) – Third Division
The Complete Head-to-Head Record
2002/3 – A1-2 (League)
2001/2 – H1-0 A2-2 (League)
2000/1 – H0-2 A1-1 (League)
1999/2000 – H1-2 A0-1 (League)
1998/9 – H2-1 A1-2 (League)
1984/5 – H1-1 A1-3 (League)
1980/1 – H1-0 A2-0 (League)
1977/8 – H2-0 A0-2 (League)
1976/7 – H0-0 A0-0 (League)
1971/2 – H3-0 A3-2 (League)
1970/1 – H0-0 A0-4 (League)
1969/70 – H2-0 A2-0 (League)
1968/9 – H1-1 A3-2 (League)
1967/8 – H2-2 A1-1 (League, H1-2 (League Cup)
Summary
Overall
Southend United 10
Darlington 9
Draws 9
In the League
Southend United 10
Darlington 8
Draws 9
At Roots Hall
Southend United 6
Darlington 3
Draws 5
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com