Dave McSweeney is in line for a recall
The 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient’s Matchroom Stadium last Saturday could be viewed as unfortunate with both Drewe Broughton and his replacement forward, Tesfaye Bramble, heading into their own goals past Darryl Flahavan. On Tuesday night, the Shakers were handed an additional twenty seconds to find an equaliser, which Gareth Seddon eventually did, cancelling out Leon Constantine’s sixteenth goal of the campaign. Both results were unlucky, but at this stage in the season, one point from six is not enough, and you make your own destiny.
The next week’s games, against the sides lying 23rd, 18th and 17th in the Division Three table, will go a long way to either securing Southend’s 84-year League career or consigning 2003/4 to the history books as the season that we reached our first major final and were relegated from the League for the very first time. And it all starts against
Blues are a single place above Town in the table courtesy of that Constantine strike at Gigg Lane in United’s match in hand and Darryl Flahavan’s penalty save to deny Seddon the first time around. They also have the advantage of having defeated the
Smith, of course, will be missing as he sits out the rest of the year with the dislocated fractured ankle injury sustained against
Steve Tilson and Paul Brush, though, have managed to bolster the centre of the midfield with the acqusition of Mark Bentley for an undisclosed five-figure fee from Dagenham & Redbridge, and the Enfield-born man has been replacing Mark Gower in recent games with increasing regularity. Carl Pettefer has been another to partner Kevin Maher, although he is a right-winger by trade. Lewis Hunt remains the favourite to play alongside the club captain however.
In the wide positions, Pettefer and Gower were installed in
Drewe Broughton continues his three match suspension with his second match on the sidelines, so Lawrie Dudfield, who failed to hit the back of the net for the first time at
Darryl Flahavan had recovered from a serious limp to continue his unbroken spell in goal since the end of September, and Carl Emberson was back from a hamstring twinge to take up a spot on the substitutes’ bench. Ryan Robinson, as a result, has been demoted back to third-choice custodian.
In defence, Jamie Stuart was again poor against his old team-mates and it seems likely that he will be replaced in the starting line-up. Dave McSweeney is the logical choice having been outstanding at left-back at the start of the season, but Neil Jenkins and Che Wilson could also stake a claim.
Macclesfield are set to be without George Abbey, who missed training with a dead leg, whilst Chris Priest (foot) and Matty Carragher (calf) could also miss the trip to Southend. Matthew Tipton is likely to have recovered from the flu in time to line up for the Silkmen, who have gathered only seven points in nine meetings with the Shrimpers – and have netted just once in getting ‘nil points’ from their seaside visits. Let’s hope that continues…
TEAM DETAILS
Likely Squads
Southend United | ||
Darryl Flahavan Duncan Jupp Dave McSweeney Leon Cort Mark Warren Carl Pettefer Kevin Maher Lewis Hunt Mark Gower Lawrie Dudfield Leon Constantine --- Carl Emberson Jamie Stuart Tesfaye Bramble Che Wilson Mark Bentley --- Ryan Robinson James Corbett Steven Clark Anthony Clark Neil Jenkins Stuart Williams Michael Kightly Steve Tilson | Starting Line-Ups GK DR DL DC DC MR MC MC ML FC FC Substitutes 1 2 3 4 5 Also Available * * * * * * * * | Steve Wilson Matty Carragher Michael Welch Carl Munroe Steve Macauley Danny Whitaker Tommy Widdrington Graham Potter Paul Harsley Matthew Tipton Jon Parkin --- David Miskelly George Abbey Martin Carruthers John Miles Colin Little --- |
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire)
Assistant Referees: Norman Appelby (Hertfordshire) and Gavin Ward (
Bishops Stortford-born official Hegley has already taken charge of a Shrimpers fixture this season – the 2-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Boston United, so let’s hope there isn’t a repeated theme. TLG’s Mark Wallis gave this summary: “6 out of 10 - Made some strange decisions, but kept the match flowing well and avoided a caution until the final minute, and that was only when totally neccassary.” He has handed out fifty yellow cards and just three of the red variety in his twenty matches this season – and none since the 27th of September.
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
Tuesday 24th February 2004
Bury 1 (Gareth Seddon 90+4) Southend United 1 (Leon Constantine 27) [attendance: 1,670]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart; Carl Pettefer, Lewis Hunt, Kevin Maher, Mark Gower (Mark Bentley 85); Lawrie Dudfield, Leon Constantine. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Dave McSweeney, Che Wilson, Michael Kightly.
Saturday 21st February 2004
Last Five Matches
Southend United
D1-1 (away; Bury; League Division Three; Leon Constantine)
L1-2 (away; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)
D1-1 (home; Colchester United; LDV Vans Trophy; Drewe Broughton)
W3-0 (home; Kidderminster Harriers; League Division Three; Leon Constantine 2 [2 pens], Lawrie Dudfield)
W3-2 (away; Colchester United; LDV Vans Trophy; Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton, Tesfaye Bramble)
Macclesfield
D1-1 (home; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Graham Potter)
L0-1 (away; Doncaster Rovers; League Division Three)
L1-2 (home;
D2-2 (away;
L1-4 (away; Torquay United; League Division Three; John Miles)
Southend United home form
D1-1 (LDV Vans Trophy;
W3-0 (League Division Three; Kidderminster Harriers, Leon Constantine 2 [2 pens], Lawrie Dudfield)
W1-0 (League Division Three;
D0-0 (League Division Three;
W4-0 (LDV Vans Trophy;
Macclesfield
L0-1 (League Division Three;
D2-2 (League Division Three;
L1-4 (League Division Three; Torquay United; John Miles)
L1-3 (League Division Three;
L1-2 (F.A. Cup;
2003/4 SEASON
Southend United
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])
Played: 32 [16]
Won: 9 [5]
Drawn: 6 [2]
Lost: 17 [9]
Scored: 29 [15]
Conceded: 44 [18]
Goal Difference: -15 [-3]
Points: 33 [17]
Position: 22nd [23rd]
F.A. Cup
First Round: beat
Second Round: beat
Third Round: lost to
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: beat Bristol Rovers (home) 2-1 after silver goal extra time
Second Round: beat
Southern Section Quarter-Final: beat
Southern Section Semi-Final: beat Queens Park Rangers (home) 4-0
Southern Section Final: beat Colchester United 4-3 on aggregate (away: W3-2, home: D1-1)
Final: vs.
Macclesfield
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])
Played: 32 [16]
Won: 7 [2]
Drawn: 11 [4]
Lost: 14 [10]
Scored: 40 [18]
Conceded: 51 [34]
Goal Difference: -11 [-16]
Points: 32 [10]
Position: 23rd [22nd]
F.A. Cup
First Round: beat Boston United (home) 3-0
Second Round: beat Cambridge United (away) 4-2 on penalties after extra time 2-2 draw and 1-1 draw at home
Third Round: lost to
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to Sheffield United (home) 1-2
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: lost to
THE HISTORY
Last Match
1-2 (Attendance: 1,821) | Southend United | |
Colin Little 90 | League Division Three @ Moss Rose on | Leon Constantine 51 Jay Smith 59 |
Steve Wilson -- George Abbey Danny Adams Karl Munroe Michael Welch -- -- Danny Whitaker Tommy Widdrington -- David Beresford David Flitcroft Martin Carruthers Matthew Tipton | 5 6 5 7 5 5 6 6(28) 5(65) 5 5(65) | Darryl Flahavan Jay Smith | 7 7 7 8 7 7 7 8 8 8(83) |
Tim Deasy Colin Little John Miles Neil Ross Matt Haddrell | - - 6(65) 6(28) | Carl Emberson Drewe Broughton | - |
Last Five Meetings
25th October 2003 - Macclesfield Town 1 (Colin Little 90) Southend United 2 (Leon Constantine 51, Jay Smith 59) - League Division Three
1st March 2003
The Complete Head-to-Head Record
2003/4 – A2-1 (League)
2002/3 – H1-0 A1-2 (League)
2001/2 – H3-0 A0-0 (League)
2000/1 – H3-1 A0-1 (League)
1999/2000 – H1-0 A2-1 (League)
Summary
Overall (9 matches)
Southend United 6
Draws 1
In The League (9 matches)
Southend United 6
Draws 1
At Roots Hall (4 matches)
Southend United 4
Draws 0
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com