Southend United vs. Kidderminster Harriers – Preview

Drewe Broughton could play against his old teammates

Courtesy of a 0-0 draw at home to Cheltenham Town in midweek, whilst Blues were enjoying their continued cup success, Harriers moved up a further point clear of the southeast Essex side, but if the hosts managed to take all three on offer at the Hall tomorrow afternoon (kick off 3 p.m.), then they will move level with the former Conference side, albeit (unless the margin of goals is higher than three) below them on goal difference.

Depending on other results, it would also catapult them above Macclesfield Town, who provide the next home Nationwide League Division Three opposition in a fortnight’s time, and a possible four points above Darlington in 23^rd, with Carlisle United between eight and eleven points back. That would be a huge fillip to the side ahead of that second leg against their north Essex rivals and another derby, this time against East London outfit Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road in a weeks’ time.

A victory would also see Steve Tilson and Paul Brush’s men gain back-to-back League wins for the first time this season, and extend their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions. That would be seen as a huge step in the right direction as United attempt to guide themselves clear of the relegation zone in this most wretched of regular campaigns.

As they look to do so, they are aided by the availability of much of the squad. Only Jamie Fullarton, Leke Odunsi and Jay Smith are sidelined for a sustained period of time now, and the first of those names is expected to make his return to the side shortly. Ironically all of those players fill the central midfield positions, but the fact that this is a Division Three fixture means that Tilson and Brush are fairly spoilt for choice.

Club captain Kevin Maher will undoubtedly start in the middle after an outstanding display against Colchester in midweek, and also a number of leading performances throughout 2004 so far. However, his partner could come from a number of sources. Lewis Hunt, the Derby County player, slotted in alongside him against the U’s and did well in his first match back from a slight muscle tear, whilst Dagenham & Redbridge’s Mark Bentley is also back in contention after having to sit out the LDV win being cup-tied. Bentley may get the nod with Hutn being rested for Tuesday.

But the wide positions are also highly contested. Once again there is a clear candidate to start, that being Mark Gower, who gas missed just one fixture all season in a classy campaign. He should start on the left wing, but the options for the right flank boggle the mind. New loan signing, Carl Pettefer from Portsmouth, made his debut as a late substitute against Colchester, replacing Leon Constantine, who has been pushed out wide of late. Steven Clark was rested for the reserve match against Crystal Palace in midweek, suggesting that he is in with a good chance, whilst James Corbett made his second reserve start in that game.

And up front Tilson has a huge number of variables – Tesfaye Bramble, Drewe Broughton, loanee from Northampton Town Lawrie Dudfield and Constantine all scored in their outings for the Shrimpers! Broughton and Dudfield appeared to have an understanding against Cambridge in the 1-0 win, and that could be Tilson’s favoured formula, but after the ex-Kidderminster man’s dismissal in midweek, Broughton could be punished with relegation to the bench, with Bramble the most likely replacement.

In defence, the team continues to pick itself. Darryl Flahavan has been confident between the sticks with clean sheets in his last two Roots Hall matches, with a back four of Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren and Jamie Stuart finally showing the determination that we expected from them at the beginning of the season. Che Wilson, Dave McSweeney and Neil Jenkins all disappointed against Palace reserves, whilst Carl Emberson had little chance to prove his worth.

Jan Molby has been busy at Aggborough trying to rebuild the side he had in his last spell in charge. Striker Ian Foster, with thirty goals from 94 starts in his last spell at the club, returned in time for the goalless draw with the Robins, and Abdou Sall is the latest name to be linked with the Harriers defence. Sall left the club after falling out with previous boss Ian Britton, but the Senegal-born star would replace skipper Wayne Hatswell, who is suspended. Adam Willis misses out through injury, while another new capture, Dean Keates from Hull City, looks set to start his second game in midfield.

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire)

Assistant Referees: Matthew Knight (Sussex) and John Pearce (Essex)

This will be Bates’ first Shrimpers match of the current campaign – thus far he has taken charge of 24 matches, booking 69 playersd and sending just two off of the field. Blues last came across the established official last year, when he was the official for both F.A. Cup ties against AFC Bournemouth. He found six cautions in ther highly-charged replay, including Kevin Maher, Dave McSweeney, Tony Scully, and Damon Searle of the Shrimpers, after the first game ended with few complaints.

TEAM FORM

Last Matches

Tuesday 10^th February 2004 – LDV Vans Trophy southern section final @ Layer Road

Colchester United 2 (Thomas Pinault 7, Wayne Andrews 76) Southend United 3 (Leon Constantine 17, Drewe Broughton 42, Tesfaye Bramble 68) [attendance: 5,811]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart; Leon Constantine (Steven Clark 85), Lewis Hunt (Che Wilson 86), Kevin Maher, Mark Gower; Drewe Broughton, Tesfaye Bramble (Carl Pettefer 76). Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Dave McSweeney.

Tuesday 10^th February 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Aggborough

Kidderminster Harriers 0 Cheltenham Town 0 [attendance: 3,803]. Kidderminster Harriers line-up (4-4-2): Stuart Brock; Matthew Gadsby, Craig Hinton, Wayne Hatswell, Scott Stamps; Scott Rickards, Adam Murray, Dean Bennett, Dean Keates; Ian Foster (Jesper Christiansen 70), John Williams. Subs not used: John Danby, Danny Willliams, Sean Parrish, Graham Ward.

Last Five Matches

Southend United

W3-2 (away; Colchester United; LDV Vans Trophy; Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton, Tesfaye Bramble)

W1-0 (home; Cambridge United; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)

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)

Kidderminster Harriers

D0-0 (home; Cheltenham Town; League Division Three)

L0-1 (home; Yeovil Town; League Division Three)

L1-2 (away; Oxford United; League Division Three; Adam Murray)

D0-0 (away; Bury; League Division Three)
D1-1 (home; Darlington; League Division Three; Adam Murray)

Southend United home form

W1-0 (League Division Three; Cambridge United; Lawrie Dudfield)

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)

Kidderminster Harriers away form

L1-2 (League Division Three; Oxford United; Adam Murray)

D0-0 (League Division Three; Bury)

L0-2 (F.A. Cup; Wolverhampton Wanderers)

L0-1 (League Division Three; Mansfield Town)

W2-1 (League Division Three; Yeovil Town; John Williams, Sean Parrish)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played: 29 [15]

Won: 8 [4]

Drawn: 5 [2]

Lost: 16 [9]

Scored: 24 [12]

Conceded: 41 [18]

Goal Difference: -17 [-6]

Points: 29 [14]

Position: 22^nd [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 darw at home

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Swindon Town (home) 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: lead Colchester United 3-2 after away win, second leg vs. Colchester United (home) on Tuesday 17^th February 2004

Kidderminster Harriers

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])
Played: 30 [15]

Won: 8 [4]

Drawn: 8 [4]

Lost: 14 [7]

Scored: 26 [12]

Conceded: 38 [18]

Goal Difference: -12 [-6]

Points: 32 [16]

Position: 20^th [9^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: beat Northwich Victoria (home) 2-1

Second Round: beat Woking (away) 3-0

Third Round: losto to Wolverhampton Wanderers (away) 0-2 in replay after 1-1 draw at home

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Ipswich Town (away) 0-1 after extra time

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: lost to Queens Park Rangers (away) 0-2

THE HISTORY

Last Match

Last Five Meetings

11^th October 2003 – Kidderminster Harriers 1 (JJ Melligan 84) Southend United 2 (Mark Warren 44, Tesfaye Bramble 90+3) – League Division Three

4^th March 2003 – Kidderminster Harriers 1 (JJ Melligan 76) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

17^th September 2002 – Southend United 0 Kidderminster Harriers 2 (Sean Flynn 45, JJ Melligan 49) – League Division Three

30^th March 2002 – Kidderminster Harriers 2 (Bo Henriksen 37, Ian Foster 77) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

27^th October 2001 – Southend United 1 (Carl Hutchings 2) Kidderminster Harriers 0 – League Division Three

The Complete Head-to-Head Record

2003/4 – A2-1 (League)

2002/3 – H0-2 A0-1 (League)

2001/2 – H1-0 A0-2 (League)

2000/1 – H1-1 A1-2 (League)

Summary

Overall (7 matches)

Southend United 2

Kidderminster Harriers 4

Draws 1

In the League (7 matches)

Southend United 2

Kidderminster Harriers 4

Draws 1

At Roots Hall (3 matches)

Southend United 1

Kidderminster Harriers 1

Draws 1

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com