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The Kidderminster defeat, undoubtedly the low point of the campaign so far, was United's third home defeat in just five matches and with promotion the ultimate aim there is no doubt that the Shrimpers must stop the rot on home turf. There could well be change in the pipeline however; Newman has been trying to bring in a Premiership player - throught to be a striker - into the Club on loan in time for this game, a deal hasn't been done as yet but should the player arrive in time he is expected to go straight into the starting line-up in place of out-of-form frontman Graeme Jones. However should the new man not materialise, Jones may still lose out with Tesfaye Bramble taking up a striking role.
Danny Maye has been released from the Club, so of course he will be removed from the squad, and his place may be taken by second year scholar Anthony Clark.
David McSweeney has returned to full training but will not play a part in the first team until he has turned out for the reserves. He should play against Cardiff City at Roots Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
Exeter City will be featuring a familiar name in their side; left back Scott Hiley, signed on loan from Portsmouth last week was the City player who scored the own goal which earned Blues a crucial victory at St James Park at the end of April 1991. Ultimately it virtually clinched Blues promotion. Also on loan in Devon is young Cardiff defender Michael Simpkins, whilst striker Steve Flack; a player who always torments Blues should be partnered by veteren frontman Don Goodman. Goalkeeper Kevin Miller was also in the City side eleven and a half years ago.
United have played Exeter more times in the League than anyone else, and this will be the 109th League meeting between the two teams, with Blues searching for their 40th victory.
Last season, despite a first minute strikew by Tes Bramble, Southend slipped to a 2-1 defeat at St James Park in early November; a Leon Cort own goal and a Christian Roberts strike earning the Grecians the points before Blues clocked up a 3-1 Roots Hall victory on Easter Monday. United came back from a goal behind, a Kevin Maher penalty and a Phil Whelan header inside the same minute just before half time put the Shrimpers ahead before Stephen Broad sealed it with a marvellous second half diving header.
Last Matches:-
Lincoln City 2 (Gain 62, Yeo 71) Southend United 1 (Jenkins 76), Line-up - Flahavan, Beard, Jenkins, Cort, Broad, Selley (Searle 76), Maher, Smith, Bramble, Rawle, Jones (Thurgood 70). Unused - Whelan, Steven Clark, Gay.
Exeter City 1 (Walker 70 (pen)) Leyton Orient 0, Line-up - Miller, Hiley, Simpkins, Whitworth, Power, Coppinger (Breslan 75), Ampadu (Cronin 82), Walker, Roscoe (McConnell 82), Flack, Goodman. Unused - Scalise, Fraser.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS:_
1st April, 2002 - Southend United (2) 3 (Maher (pen), Whelan, Broad) Exeter City (1) 1 - Division Three
3rd November, 2001 - Exeter City (1) 2 Southend United (1) 1 (Bramble) - Division Three
14th April, 2001 - Exeter City (1) 2 Southend United (2) 2 (Bramble 2) - Division Three
24th October, 2000 - Southend United 1 (Lee) Exeter City 1 - Division Three
7th March, 2000 - Southend United 1 (Carruthers (pen)) Exeter City 2 - Division Three
SOUTHEND (from):- Darryl Flahavan, Daniel Gay, Mark Beard, Neil Jenkins, Damon Searle, Leon Cort, Stephen Broad, Tom Jordan, Phil Whelan, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Stuart Thurgood, Ian Selley, Anthony Clark, Steven Clark, Tesfaye Bramble, Graeme Jones, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
HEAD-TO-HEAD SOUTHEND UNITED v EXETER CITY
Stats by www.soccer-stats.co.uk
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