Southend United v Macclesfield Town - Preview

Last updated : 14 September 2002 By Mark Wallis
Stephen Broad is a doubt after picking up a nasty head wound against Wimbledon on Tuesday night.
Manager Rob Newman has set his side a target of three wins from the next four matches, and with Kidderminster Harriers following the Macclesfield match also at Roots Hall on Tuesday, Newman will undoubtedly be looking for a home win double.

Once again however United will be without midfielder Ian Selley who has still to return to action following his foot injury, and worryingly there are two more doubts. Defender Stephen Broad went off on Tuesday night with a nasty head wound which required stiches, and Tes Bramble was also substituted, he is suffering from sickness. Newman will be praying that both players are fit enough to face the Silkmen.

United will also be wanting to continue their perfect home record against Town, the Shrimpers having won all three League encounters, but the Silkmen will come into the match in full confidence having knocked Second Division side Barnsley out of the Worthington Cup courtesy of a quick fire Danny Whittaker hat-trick in extra time.

As ever, I'm sure I'll see you there!
(Except Robert Craven, the lucky git is off to Old Trafford and not for football - but more of that later!)

Last Matches:-
Southend United 1 (Rawle 82) Wimbledon 4 (Andersen 45, Tapp 65, Shipperley 68, 90), Line-up - Flahavan, Beard, Searle (Maye 69), Cort, Broad (Whelan 42), Maher, Smith, Bramble (Steven Clark 72), Jenkins, Rawle, Jones. Unused - Gay, Belgrave.

Macclesfield Town 4 (Lightbourne 30, Whitaker 106, 107, 120) Barnsley 1 (Rankin 84) Line-up - Wilson, Adams, Tinson, Ridler, Hitchin, Byrne (Munroe 73), Priest, Whitaker, Welch, Tipton, Lightbourne (Askey 109). Unused - Deasy, Hardy, Robinson.

Last Five Meetings:-
20th April, 2002- Macclesfield Town 0 Southend United 0 - Division Three
9th November, 2001 - Southend United 3 (Rawle 2, Bramble) Macclesfield Town 0 - Division Three
21st April, 2001 - Macclesfield Town 1 Southend United 0 - Division Three
4th November, 2000 - Southend United 3 (Abbey 2, Forbes) Macclesfield Town 1 - Division Three
3rd March, 2000 - Southend United 1 (Carruthers) Macclesfield Town 0 - 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, Steven Clark, Danny Maye, Tesfaye Bramble, Graeme Jones, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com