|
After the 3-0 reversal away to Wrexham will have brought a lot of questions into manager Rob Newman’s head, not least which strike partnership to go with. Watford loanee Dominic Foley made his debut at the Racecourse Ground, and was severely let down by a lack of service alongside Mark Rawle, but the same partnership should continue to ply their trade tomorrow. Southend have still yet to win a game without top scorer Tesfaye Bramble, and the former Cambridge City man will continue to sit on the touchlines for another fortnight through suspension. Barrington Belgrave put in a shocking display in the Essex Senior Cup semi-final defeat to Chelmsford City, but is now struggling with an ankle injury, whilst Brett Darby will be blooded in the reserve team before forcing his way up the ladder. All of that means that Mark Salter is likely to warm the bench.
As speculation grows as to the squad members Newman will be letting go at the end of the season, Daryl Sutch and Mark Beard fight it out for the right-back position. Leon Cort and Damon Searle have been stalwarts at the back for the past two campaigns, and are assured of starting positions, with the ex-Millwall man set to be partnered by Tottenham Hotspur loanee Stephen Kelly for the third consecutive occasion. Stephen Broad managed 70 minutes on Monday, but his hernia will not be risked until he has played a full ninety minutes, while Dave McSweeney faces a further fortnight on the sidelines. The experienced Phil Whelan, like Graeme Jones up front, is still a long way from making a return.
The midfield has had a settled look to it ever since Tony Scully left to return to Cambridge United and Daniel Marney linked up from Brighton & Hove Albion. Marney will take the right flank whilst a revitalised Steven Clark will patrol the left hand side. Club captain Kevin Maher will partner Jay Smith in the centre of the park. Former S-Pulse and Spurs midfielder Stuart Thurgood stands by with Neil Jenkins, currently out of favour at Roots Hall, waiting for an opportunity if the left-midfield spot becomes available.
The goalkeeping position is more clear-cut, with Darryl Flahavan the man likely to be given the nod, especially considering he has barely made a mistake since returning from injury against Hull City at the start of the month. Danny Gay is his ever-willing deputy for a side that desperately need to start picking up points after dropping five in the last two games. The Shrimpers now find themselves seven points away from the play off positions in 13th position, and only a super-human effort will be enough to lift them towards a day out at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
By contrast, Rushden & Diamonds visit the Hall safely ensconced in second place, too far away from Hartlepool United at the top of the table but far enough away from the chasing pack to be happy with their seasons work thus far. Striker Onandi Lowe will not make the trip to Essex through suspension, whilst fellow forward Duane Darby is struggling to be included due to an ongoing ankle problem. That means that ex-Blues loanee Tony Battersby, recently signed from Boston United, should start his second game for Diamonds. The Nene Park side have gone three games without a win under Brian Talbot, and another former Southend loanee, Barry Hunter, should take his place at the heart of the defence as the Northamptonshire side look to do the double this season, having suffered the same fate in their inaugural Football League season.
SQUAD DETAILS
The Little Gazette Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2):
Darryl Flahavan; Daryl Sutch, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Damon Searle; Danny Marney, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Steven Clark; Dominic Foley, Mark Rawle.
Southend United Full Matchday Squad: Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Daryl Sutch, Mark Beard, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Neil Jenkins, Daniel Marney, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Stuart Thurgood, Steve Tilson, Steven Clark, Barrington Belgrave, Mark Rawle, Mark Salter, Dominic Foley.
Rushden & Diamonds: Billy Turley, Paul Underwood, Barry Hunter, Mark Peters, Stuart Wardley, Ritchie Hanlon, Duane Darby, Andy Burgess, Stuart Gray, Marcus Bignot, Gary Mills, Gary Setchell, David Bell, Daniel Talbot, Andy Sambrook, Robert Duffy, Paul Hall, John Dempster, Tony Battersby, Owen Story, Marcus Okuonghae.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Clive Penton (Woodindean, Sussex)
Assistant Referees: John Hayto (Essex), Steve Rubery (Essex)
Penton’s last experience taking charge of a Southend game was back in the height of summer and the home encounter with Shrewsbury Town when an incredible eight players managed to find their way into his over-officious book, but Town defender Matty Redmile escaped being sent off after bringing down Tes Bramble as the last defender. Eight players have found themselves sent off courtesy of Penton, and a further 79 cautioned in just 24 matches this season. Last year, Kristian O’Leary of Swansea was given his marching orders in a Blues 4-2 victory, part of a record of 84 yellows and three reds in only 29 games for the Sussex referee’s first senior season. Don’t be surprised to see more on their way should the encounter get heated tomorrow.
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
Wrexham 3 (Carlos Edwards 15, Morrell 50, Paul Edwards 75) Southend United 0. Line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Daryl Sutch, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Damon Searle; Daniel Marney, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith (Mark Beard 85), Steven Clark; Dominic Foley, Mark Rawle (Barrington Belgrave 66). Subs not used: Danny Gay, Tom Jordan, Mark Salter.
Darlington 2 (Hodgson 51, Clark 69) Rushden & Diamonds (Gray 56 [pen], Hall 84). Line-up: Billy Turley; Paul Underwood, Barry Hunter, Mark Peters (John Dempster 73), Marcus Bignot; Gary Mills, Stuart Wardley, David Bell, Stuart Gray (Andy Burgess 75); Paul Hall, Tony Battersby. Subs not used: Daniel Talbot, Andy Sambrook, Robert Duffy.
Current Form
Southend United
L0-3 (away; Wrexham)
D2-2 (home; Bristol Rovers; Belgrave, Maher)
W3-0 (home; Hull City; Smith 2, Rawle)
L1-4 (away; Scunthorpe United; Smith)
W2-1 (home; Oxford United; Rawle, Bramble)
Rushden & Diamonds
D2-2 (away; Darlington; Gray, Hall)
D1-1 (home; Swansea City; Hall)
L0-3 (away; Oxford United)
W4-1 (home; Cambridge United; Gray, Bell, Hall 2)
W2-0 (away; Kidderminster Harriers; Hall 2)
Southend United Home Form
D2-2 (Bristol Rovers; Belgrave; Maher)
W3-0 (Hull City; Smith 2, Rawle)
W2-1 (Oxford United; Rawle, Bramble)
W1-0 (Rochdale; Bramble)
L1-2 (Scunthorpe United; Cort)
Rushden & Diamonds Away Form
D2-2 (Darlington; Gray, Hall)
L0-3 (Oxford United)
W2-0 (Kidderminster Harriers; Hall 2)
D1-1 (Torquay United; Darby)
D0-0 (Scunthorpe United)
2002/3 SEASON
Southend United (Overall [Home])
League
Played: 32 [16]
Won: 13 [8]
Drawn: 3 [1]
Lost: 16 [7]
Scored: 36 [20]
Conceded: 43 [17]
GD: -7 [+3]
Points: 42 [25]
Position: 13th [13th]
F.A. Cup
Second Round – Lost 2-3 to Bournemouth (away; replay)
Worthington Cup
First Round – Lost 1-4 to Wimbledon (home)
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round – Lost 1-6 to Swindon Town (away)
Rushden & Diamonds (Overall [Away])
League
Played: 31 [16]
Won: 15 [5]
Drawn: 11 [8]
Lost: 5 [3]
Scored: 49 [18]
Conceded: 31 [20]
GD: +18 [-2]
Points: 56 [23]
Position: 2nd [7th]
F.A. Cup
Second Round – Lost 1-3 to Exeter City (away)
Worthington Cup
Second Round – lost 0-8 to Coventry City (away)
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round – lost 0-4 to Cambridge United (away)
THE HISTORY
Last Meeting
Rushden & Diamonds 3 (Gray 9 [pen], 33, Hall 83) Southend United 0. Southend United line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Mark Beard (Phil Whelan 74), Stephen Broad (Barrington Belgrave 74), Leon Cort, Damon Searle; Tesfaye Bramble, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Neil Jenkins (Steven Clark 56); Graeme Jones, Mark Rawle. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Danny Maye.
Last Three Meetings/Complete Head-to-Head Record
7th September 2002 – Rushden & Diamonds 3 (Gray 9 [pen], 33, Hall 83) Southend United 0 – Third Division
26th December 2001 – Southend United 4 (Cort 50, Belgrave 59, 75, Bramble 67) Rushden & Diamonds 2 (Butterworth 5, Partridge 35) – Third Division
8th September 2001 – Rushden & Diamonds 0 Southend United 1 (Searle 75) – Third Division
Summary
Overall Record (also League Record)
Southend United 2
Rushden & Diamonds 1
Draws 0
Record at Roots Hall
Southend United 1
Rushden & Diamonds 0
Draws 0
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com