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Tes Bramble's last minute goal earned a late victory three days ago and although the Shrimpers will be looking for an identical result this evening Southend, who now have Stewart Robson added to the coaching staff, will be hoping to not leave it quite so late.
Danny Gay, who has conceded just one goal in the last three matches will undoubtedly continue in goal in place of the injured Darryl Flahavan whilst Mark Beard becomes the only other doubt having limped off at half time on Saturday.
Should Beard make it then Newman will name an unchanged side which will see Bramble partnered in attack by Mark Rawle despite the impressive performance of Barrington Belgrave as a late substitute against Rochdale. Indeed it was Belgrave who set-up Bramble's dramatic winner.
Last season Southend put themselves into what looked like a convincing 2-0 lead against Oxford at Roots Hall in the first weekend of March, but despite complete Shrimpers domination Oxford somehow stole a draw thanks to a deflected Andy Scott goal and a Paul Powell penalty. Southend had lost 2-0 at the Kassam Stadium earlier in the season.
Back in August however, an early diving header from Mark Rawle at the Kassam gave Southend their first victory of the campaign with the only goal of the game.
Cheer the team on tonight!
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
23rd August 2002 - Oxford United 0 Southend United 1 (Rawle 19) - Division Three
2nd March 2002 - Southend United 2 (Bramble (pen) 29, Cort 43) Oxford United 2 - Division Three
25th September 2001 - Oxford United 2 Southend United 0 - Division Three
24th August, 1999 - Oxford United 1 Southend United 0 - Worthington Cup
10th August 1999 - Southend United 0 Oxford United 2 - Worthington Cup
Southend United (from): Danny Gay, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Phil Whelan, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Neil Jenkins, Mark Beard, Tony Scully, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Steve Tilson, Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave, Tes Bramble, Mark Salter.
Oxford United (from): Andy Woodman, Scott McNiven, Andy Crosby, David Waterman, Matthew Bound, Matt Robinson, Roy Hunter, Bobby Ford, Dean Whitehead, David Savage, Jefferson Louis, David Oldfield, Steve Basham, Andy Scott, Lee Steele, Abdou Sall, James Hunt, Ian McCaldon.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul Armstrong (Thatcham)
Assistant Referees: Jon Beadle (Gravesend), Gary Evetts (Hertfordshire)
Armstrong has been a regular Shrimpers official having refereed the 6-1 debacle at Swindon, where he sent off Steven Clark for a second bookable offence and the 1-0 League defeat to Bournemouth, where he booked four players. His record for this season is 21 games, 78 yellow cards and five reds. In fact, Armstrong seems to have a record of Cup games with the Shrimpers, having taken charge of the Tranmere F.A. Cup tie last season, where he made a weird decision in giving drop ball after Barrington Belgrave had been fouled at 2-1. Needless to say, Sean Flynn hit the Merseysiders third from the bounce ball He also controlled the 0-0 draw with Hartlepool in 2001 (where he booked six players) and the 2-0 home defeat to Darlington in 2000 (three bookings) so he is yet to witness Southend win. He has only been a Football League referee for two-and-a-half seasons, in that time he has officiated in 76 games, producing 236 yellow and eleven red cards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall
Southend United 8
Oxford United 15
Draws 4
At Roots Hall
Southend United 4
Oxford United 6
Draws 3
League Fixtures
Southend United 7
Oxford United 12
Draws 4