Southend United vs. Boston United – Preview

Neil Jenkins could be set for a recall

Blues have slipped once again in the the relegation zone following the 2-1 home reverse to East London rivals Leyton Orient on Saturday, equalling out lowest ever position in the modern-day Football League for the third time. The result also proved what one win can do – the O’s jumped up to fifteenth place in the table, and this match against the Pilgrims, followed up by another bottom-of-the-table tussle with Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose in four days time, could go a long way to shaping Southend’s season.

The Seasiders had lost just one match in six leading up to the recent defeat, but more worringly, after going three games without a loss on their travels, Southend have still failed to get all three points at home in the Third Division since August 30^th, when Bury were the visitors. A 2-0 lead was thrown away against rock-bottom Carlisle United, and the 2-1 extra time win over Bristol Rovers was in the LDV Vans Trophy. Four defeats at home already this year is similar to the abysmal home record in the first half of last season, one that was supplimented by good early-season travelling form. This time around, that was not the case.

One huge plus point has been the goalgetting record of Leon Constantine. With six goals from just eleven starts, the ex-Orient front runner has been a revelation, scoring in both of the last seven days’ Roots Hall clashes, despite being played out of position on the right wing. Former Colchester United boss Wignall’s 4-5-1 formation has come under fire in the last few days, and he may opt to swicth back to 4-4-2 today, with Constantine pushed into a favoyred striking role.

Tesfaye Bramble is still favourite to partner him, despite being substituted at half-time in the derby game with a gash to the side of his head. Drewe Broughton gave one hundred per cent again, but was sadly unable to offer any more craft and guile than the former Cambridge City man and Bramble, who has scored both of his goals this year away from home, will be looking to get his first home one under his belt. Speedy Michael Husbands still lacks match fitness, and is likely to remain on the bench.

With four across the midfield, Wignall must decide who will fill the left-sided vacancy. With Mark Gower more effective on the right-hand side, a straight choice between teenage wonderkid Michael Kightly and one-time England Under-20 international should ensue. Jenkins was outstanding against the Pirates a week ago, but was strangely dropped from the squad completely at the weekend. James Corbett remains out injured, whilst Steven Clark will play the last game of his primary loan spell at Macclesfield Town tonight before being withdrawn from Saturday’s fixture as part of his contract at Moss Rose.

In the middle of the park, Jay Smith has blown hot and cold since his return from a persistent thigh injury. His form on Saturday suggested that the knock he took at Kidderminster Harriers a week previously was still affecting him, and he may find himself warming the bench. Leke Odunsi is still some two or three weeks away from a return, so capatin Kevin Maher, who once again has been the brunt of many supporters’ criticisms from the Orient defeat, and Jamie Fullarton should play in the centre of the park.

In the centre of defence, Mark Warren looks st to be dropped after he failed to let the coaching staff know of the extent of his injury, He remians 50-50 to make the clash anyway, but after risking the ex-Notts County man once, Wignall is unlikely to make the same mistake again. As a result, either Dave McSweeney or Jamie Stuart will come into the middle of the back four, with either the latter or Jenkins at left-back. Duncan Jupp continues to look solid at right-back, whilst the non-committal Darryl Flahavan keeps between the sticks. Carl Emberson looks set to miss out on a substitute spot, so Ryan Robinson will return as Flahavan’s deputy.

Boston will definitely be without full-back and captain Ben Chapman and fellow defender Graham Potter, whilst midfielder Tom Bennett also misses out. Winger Mark Angel, who scored in the corresponding match last season is also doubtful, as is Matt Hocking, who will undergo a late fitness test. Predictactly, Graeme Jones is struggling to overcome a knee injury as he returns to Roots Hall, whilst Simon Rusk, Neil Redfearn and Stuart Douglas have all reported fit.

The Pilgrims currently lie just two points, and two places, above the Shrimpers after enduring another tough start to their campaign. However, they are unbeaten in four matches, including that LDV win over Second Division Swindon, with two draws and a 3-1 win over Cheltenham Town in their last three League games, despite a torrid run of injury problems. Southend will hope to put an end to that run, but failure to do so could heap the pressure on Steve Wignall early in the season, with Ian Britton and Bobby Gould the latest managerial casualties this term.

TEAM DETAIILS

Likely Squads

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire)
Assistant Referees: Jon Beadle (Kent), Keith Yeo (Kent)

Bishops Stortford-based Hegley has often been used at Roots Hall, although this will be the first time in the current campaign. So far this year he has sent off threee and booked 32 in nine matches, predominantly in the Second Division. He took charge of the 2-0 win over Darlington last year when Steven Clark was booked and two Quakers were cautioned, but prior to that he was best known for sending off Mark Beard for a second bookable offence against York City over a year before that. He was also the official in the 4-2 Boxing Day comeback against Rushden & Diamonds.

TEAM FORM

Last Matches

Saturday 18^th October 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Roots Hall
Southend United 1 (Leon Constantine 90) Leyton Orient 2 (Gar Alexander 27, Dave McSweeney [o.g.] 89) [attendance: 6,007]. Southend United line-up (4-5-1): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren (Dave McSweeney 46), Jamie Stuart; Leon Constantine, Jay Smith (Michael Kightly 72), Kevin Maher, Jamie Fullarton, Mark Gower; Tesfaye Bramble (Drewe Broughton 46). Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Michael Husbands.

Saturday 18^th October 2003 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Bootham Crescent
York City 1 (Jon Parkin 45) Boston United 1 (Simon Weatherstone 58) [attendance: 3,190]. Boston United line-up (4-4-2): Paul Bastock; Chris Hogg, Matt Hocking (Mark Greaves 56), Stuart Balmer, Lee Beevers; Lee Thompson, Tom Bennett, Paul Ellender, Mark Angel (Simon Weatherstone 35); Graeme Jones, Adebayo Akinfenwa (Peter Duffield 77). Subs not used: Steve Croudson, Ryan Clarke.

Last Five Matches

Southend United
L1-2 (home; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Leon Constantine)
W2-1 (home; Bristol Rovers; LDV Vans Trophy first round; Leon Constantine, Mark Gower)
W2-1 (away; Kidderminster Harriers; League Division Three; Mark Warren, Tesfays Bramble)
L1-2 (home; Huddersfield Town; League Division Three; Leke Odunsi)
D0-0 (away; Darlington; League Division Three)

Boston United
D1-1 (away; York City; League Division Three; Simon Weatherstone)
W2-1 (home; Swindon Town; LDV Vans Trophy first round; Lee Beevers, Adebayo Akinfenwa)
W3-1 (home; Cheltenham Town; League Division Three; Tom Bennett, Stuart Balmer, Mark Angel)
D1-1 (home; Oxford United; League Division Three; Graeme Jones)
L0-2 (away; Yeovil Town; League Division Three)

Southend United home form
L1-2 (League Division Three; Leyton Orient; Leon Constantine)
W2-1 (LDV Vands Trophy first round; Bristol Rovers; Leon Constantine, Mark Gower)
L1-2 (League Division Three; Huddersfield Town; Leke Odunsi)
D2-2 (League Division Three; Carlisle United; Dave McSweeney, Leon Constantine)
L0-2 (League Division Three; Lincoln City)

Boston United away form
D1-1 (League Division Three; York City; Simon Weatherstone)
L0-2 (League Division Three; Yeovil Town)
L0-3 (League Division Three; Darlington)
L0-2 (League Division Three; Bristol Rovers)
L1-2 (League Division Three; Hull City; Paul Ellender)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])
Played: 14 [7]
Won: 3 [2]
Drawn: 3 [1]
Lost: 8 [4]
Scored: 12 [7]
Conceded: 22 [11]
Goal Difference: -10 [-4]
Points: 12 [7]
Position: 23^rd [22^nd]
F.A. Cup
First Round: draw to be made on Saturday 25^th October 2003
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to Swindon Town (home) 2-3
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: beat Bristol Rovers (home) 2-1 after extra time
Second Round: vs. Swansea City (away) on Tuesday 4^th November 2003

Boston United
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])
Played: 14 [7]
Won: 3 [0]
Drawn: 5 [2]
Lost: 6 [5]
Scored: 12 [2]
Conceded: 20 [13]
Goal Difference: -8 [-11]
Points: 14 [2]
Position: 21^st [23^rd]
F.A. Cup
First Round: draw to be madeon Saturday 25^th October 2003
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to Reading (home) 1-3
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: beat Swindon Town (home) 2-1
Second Round: vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (away) week commencing 3^rd November 2003

THE HISTORY

Last Match

Complete Head-to-Head Record

21^st April 2003 – Boston United 1 (Mark Angel 85 [pen]) Southend United 0 – League Division Three
14^th December 2003 – Southend United 4 (Leon Cort 7, 23, 88, Mark Rawle 39) Boston United 2 (Richard Logan 57, Mark Angel 64) – League Division Three

Summary

Overall
Southend United 1
Boston United 1
Draws 0

In The League
Southend United 1
Boston United 1
Draws 0

At Roots Hall
Southend United 1
Boston United 0
Draws 0

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com