Southend United vs. Cambridge United – Preview

When Steve Tilson’s men defeated Rochdale by four goals to nil on 22^nd November, it seemed to signall a new-post Wignall beginning with David Webb having recently departed for the fourth time. Canvey Island had just been knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Jay Smith’s last-minute winner and in the weeks to come, despite a 3-0 reverse to Torquay United at Plainmoor, Blues would smash three past Lincoln City and then Second Division Luton Town in cup competitions at home and win 3-2 with eight men at Swansea.

However, since that day in November, League fixtures have seen defeats to Bristol Rovers (0-1), Oxford United (0-1), Doncaster Rovers (0-2) and a 0-0 draw with York City a little over week ago – a sum total of one point and no goals in four matches, and a return to the form that had seen United fail to win a game on their own pitch in the Third Division since the penultimate day in August.

The Seasiders’ meagre haul of eleven points from fourteen home fixtures, with just eleven goals witnessed thus far by those who forked out in excess of £200 for a season ticket back before the start of the campaign, is match only, ironically, by tomorrow’s opposition, who were beaten 1-0 by the Shrimpers at the Abbey Stadium on the way to just two home wins at this stage. However, the U’s have the third best away record in Division Three, bettered only by promotion-chasing Hull City and Doncaster on goal difference.

Three LDV Vans Trophy victories at the home of football in the county and an F.A. Cup triumph have masked the wretched performances somewhat, but despite that massive fixture at Layer Road in four days time, all minds must be focused on getting three points against Cambridge tomorrow afternoonm, for once again the spectre of relegation looms large.

Southend’s postponed clash with Bury last weekend allowed Darlington the chance to claw back even more ground, and although the Quakers have now once again played one more game than the Shrimpers, they lay just a single point behind. Supporters’ minds will be focused on events at the McAlpine Stadium as well as closer to home as Darlo tackle Huddersfield Town. Perennial strugglers Carlisle United are a further seven points back – after that win over Dale it was thirteen and after the win at the Vetch Field it was three more.

As a result of United’s shot-shyness (or maybe that should be profligacy in front of goal, since Blues have actually managed to hammer the fifth highest amount of shots on goal in 2003/4), Tilson has swooped to sign Lawrie Dudfield on a month’s loan from Northampton Town. The 23-year-old has managed six goals in thirteen stats this season for the Cobblers before breaking down with a toe injury – his last strike was in December against Peterborough United in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Dudfield may be handed a starting berth, with both Tesfaye Bramble, who managed an hour, and James Corbett, who completed ninety minutes, failing to impress in the narrow extra time victory over Wivenhoe Town in the Essex Senior Cup quarter-final on Tuesday. Leon Constantine and Drewe Broughton have been the men failing to find the target – apart from the first strike against Queens Park Rangers in the LDV Vans Trophy, the Shrimpers’ top-scorer has failed to score since the Boxing Day win against Cambridge. Michael Husbands finished the game against the Dragons in midweek, but he appears out of the first-team picture.

Corbett’s probable exclusion up front may see him drop back into midfield and either left or right-wing berth, at the likely expense of Steven Clark. But with the former West Ham United man in a rich vein of form, Tilson is set tro include him again. Jay Smith has had no match practice since limping off at Mansfield, and although he could be ready for a return, the glutton of players available in offence psoitions means Tilson and Brush are likely to wait until the Colchester game before reinstating the livewire midfielder. Club captain Kevin Maher will instead be partnered by Mark Bentley, who will be cup-tied on February 10^th. Michael Kightly is another choice available, despite a knock sustained against Wivenhoe.

Further back there are more options. Lewis Hunt, like Smith, is not expected back until the Colchester clash, but Dave McSweeney again impressed alongside Tilson in the Senior Cup and he has pushed his claims for the partnership with Leon Cort. However, Mark Warren currently holds that position, and he should retain it, with Jamie Stuart and Duncan Jupp holding off the attentions of Neil Jenkins and Che Wilson for the full-back positions. Darryl Flahavan should keep his place ahead of reserve shotstopper Carl Emberson between the sticks.

The opposition have seen a number of players return from injury since the Bxiong Day encounter between the two sides. Most importantly Alex Revell now adds more impetus to the forward line occupied by Daniel Webb on loan from Hull, whilst winger Shane Tudor is back in contention. The U’s have signed New Zealand Olympic squad players Steven Turner and James Pritchett to bolster the midfield, although it remaisn to be seen if they will be rushed into action.

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire)

Assistant Referees: Jon Beadle (Kent) and Gary Evetts (Hertfordshire)

Armstrong, from Berkshire, needs no introcuction from me. His display at Huish Park was awful, calling for Blues fans at Yeovil to ask for Trevor Kettle to come back. TLG’s Mark Wallis managed to cxome up with this ground-breaking description: “ungraded - Let's be honest here; when we were at school, if we didn't perform, didn't do our work and laughed and joked around all the time at the expense of others around us who were trying their best to suceed then we wouldn't be marked at all, we would be ungraded. All I'll say is that this moron gets the same treatment.” And to that, I can add no more.

TEAM, FORM

Last Matches

Tuesday 27^th January 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Roots Hall

Southend United 0 York City 0 [attendance: 2,943]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren (Che Wilson 28), Jamie Stuart; Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Steven Clark (Michael Kightly 69); Drewe Broughton, Leon Constantine. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Dave McSweeney, Neil Jenkins.

Saturday 24^th January 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ the Abbey Stadium

Cambridge United 0 Rochdale 0 [attendance: 3,221]. Cambridge United line-up (4-4-2): Shaun Marshall; Warren Goodhind, Andy Duncan, Stevland Angus, Fred Murray; Nathan Peat, Adam Tann, Luke Guttridge, Shane Tudor; John Turner (Alex Revell 76), Daniel Webb. Subs not used: Martin Brennan, David Bridges, Daniel Gleeson, Neil McCafferty.

Last Five Matches

Southend United

D0-0 (home; York City; League Division Three)

L0-1 (away; Mansfield Town; League Division Three)

W4-0 (home; Queens Park Rangers; LDV Vans Trophy; Leon Constantine, Steven Clark, Drewe Broughton 2)

L0-2 (home; Doncaster Rovers; League Division Three)

L0-1 (away; Scarborough; F.A. Cup)

Cambridge United

D0-0 (home; Rochdale; League Division Three)

W1-0 (away; Macclesfield Town; League Division Three; Luke Guttridge)

L1-2 (home; Huddersfield Town; League Division Three; Adam Tann)

L0-2 (away; Hull City; League Division Three)

D2-2 (away; Lincoln City; League Division Three; Luke Guttridge, Daniel Webb)

Southend United home form

D0-0 (League Division Three; York City)

W4-0 (LDV Vans Trophy; Queens Park Rangers; Leon Constantine, Steven Clark, Drewe Broughton 2)

L0-2 (League Division Three; Doncaster Rovers)

D1-1 (F.A. Cup; Scarborough; Jay Smith)

L0-1 (League Division Three; Oxford United)

Cambridge United away form

W1-0 (League Division Three; Macclesfield Town; Luke Guttridge)

L0-2 (League Division Three; Hull City)

D2-2 (League Division Three; Lincoln City; Luke Guttridge, Daniel Webb)

W2-1 (League Division Three; Northampton Town; Luke Guttridge [pen], Adam Tann)

D1-1 (F.A. Cup; Macclesfield Town; John Turner)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played; 28 [14]

Won: 7 [3]

Drawn: 5 [2]

Lost: 16 [9]

Scored: 23 [11]

Conceded: 41 [18]

Goal Difference: -18 [-7]

Points: 26 [11]

Position: 22nd [23^rd]

F.A. Cup

First Round: beat Canvey Island (away) 3-2 in replay after 1-1 draw at home

Second Round: beat Lincoln City (home) 3-0

Third Round: lost to Scarborough (away) 0-1 in replay after 1-1 draw at home

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Swindon Town (away) 2-3

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: beat Bristol Rovers (home) 2-1 after silver goal extra time

Second Round: beat Swansea City (awaY) 2-1

Southern Section Quarter-Final: beat Luton Town (home) 3-0

Southern Section Semi-Final: beat Queens Park Rangers (home) 4-0

Southern Section Final: vs. Colchester United (away) on Tuesday 10^th February 2004 and vs. Colchester United (home) on Tuesday 17^th February 2004

Cambridge United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])

Played: 28 [14]

Won: 8 [6]

Drawn: 10 [5]

Lost: 10 [3]

Scored: 34 [20]

Conceded: 41 [18]

Goal Difference: -7 [+2]

Points: 34 [23]

Position: 14th [3^rd]

F.A. Cup

First Round: beat Lancaster (away) 2-1

Second Round: lost to Macclesfield Town (home) 2-4 on penalties after 2-2 draw in replay following 1-1 draw away

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Gillingham (home) 1-2

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: lost to Wycombe Wanderers (away) 0-1

THE HISTORY

Last Match

Last Five Meetings

26^th December 2003 – Cambridge United 0 Southend United 1 (Leon Constantine 38) – League Division Three

26^th December 2002 – Cambridge United 1 (Terry Fleming 63) Southend United 1 (Mark Rawle 10) – League Division Three)

26^th August 2002 – Southend United 2 (Stephen Broad 7, Jay Smith 30) Cambridge United 1 (Omer Riza 28) – League Division Three

9^th January 2001 – Southend United 3 (David Lee 25, 75, Russell Williamson 33) Cambridge United 1 (Paul Wanless 4) – LDV Vans Trophy second round

27^th February 1999 – Cambridge United 3 (John Taylor 45, 79, Martin Butler 74) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

The Complete Head-to-Head Record

2003/4 – A1-0 (League)

2002/3 – H2-1 A1-1 (League)

2000/1 – H3-1 (LDV Vans Trophy)

1998/9 – H0-1 A0-3 (League)

1992/3 – H1-1 A1-3 (League)

1991/2 – H1-1 A1-0 (League)

1990/1 – H0-0 A4-1 (League)

1989/90 – H0-0 A1-2 (League)

1986/7 – H3-1 A2-1 (League)

1985/6 – H1-0 A2-1 (League)

1976/7 – H0-1 A3-2 (League)

1974/5 – H2-0 (League Cup)

1973/4 – H3-1 A2-3 (League)

1971/2 – H1-2 A1-1 (League)

1970/1 – H1-1 A3-0 (League)

Summary

Overall (27 matches)

Southend United 13

Cambridge United 7

Draws 7

In the League (25 matches)

Southend United 11

Cambridge United 7

Draws 7

At Roots Hall (14 matches)

Southend United 6

Cambridge United 3

Draws 5

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com