Southend United vs. Northampton Town – Preview

Last updated : 29 October 2004 By Robert Craven

Duncan Jupp is fighting for his place
Few would have believed that after the Friday night drama against the Pilgrims, with Darryl Flahavan sent off with the Shrimpers 2-0 up, and Tesfaye Bramble standing in as a replacement goalkeeper because there was no custodian on the bench, that it could be topped when League Two leaders Swansea came to southeast Essex.


However, the visit of the Welshman saw the most extraordinary debut from Grays Athletic loanee Freddy Eastwood, as he headed home a Wayne Gray cross after just 7.64 seconds, and then proceeded to nod in a second (from another Gray centre) and then drove home a third, from just outside the penalty area with the aid of a deflection, to seal a 4-2 victory.


Eastwood again contributed three days later as the Shrimpers made the trip to Scunthorpe United, but unfortunately they were unable to recapture the same sort of form as they had against the previous table-toppers, and the Iron went to the pinnacle courtesy of a 3-2 win, with Jimmy Corbett bagging a spectacular strike on the half volley.


Last weekend, again it was a less than convincing display, this time against struggling Shrewsbury Town, who had just lost manager Jimmy Quinn. Chic Bates led the Salop to a 1-1 draw of which the hosts at Gay Meadow made more of the play, but former Wimbledon front runner Gray himself this time netted to secure a much-needed point.


When that run of four matches started, the Cobblers were struggling towards the bottom of League Two, but they have since rocketed past Blues courtesy of a three-match winning streak, which included a spectacular 5-1 defeat of Rochdale at Sixfields last weekend. Up until that point, despite having a plethora of strikers on their books, Town had been finding it a little difficult to hit the back of the net.


Coupled with Southend’s defensive frailties, there is the definite chance for some fireworks at Roots Hall tomorrow. One of the men blamed for a succession of goals being conceded – six in the last three games, and eleven in the last five – is Spencer Prior, but he remains adamant that United can overcome their recent problems at the back.


With Andy Edwards pushing him hard for a place in the starting line-up, Prior told the club’s official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, “We expect to give a good account of ourselves against Northampton. Although I wouldn’t say we expect to win, I would say that we will be confident”. And the 33-year-old was remaining positive, “It’s so tight going through the League. It only takes two or three wins and you will find yourselves right up there”.


Edwards, just a matter of months his senior, a former team-mate and veteran of nearly 600 games, was in imperious form for the reserve team as they finally recorded a victory in the Pontin’s Holidays Combination at Gillingham on Wednesday, and will be looking to partner Adam Barrett in the centre of defence after leaving Rushden & Diamonds in the summer.


Another member of the back four who has recently been under fire is Duncan Jupp, the right full-back. Having endured two horrific matches against the Iron and the Shrews, the ex-Notts County player is under threat from a number of quarters, not least 19-year-old Stuart Williams, who will be trying to impress and earn himself a professional contract for next season.


However, a more likely possibility is that Lewis Hunt will drop into the back four. The utility man expressed his delight at finally winning a starting place to the Southend Evening Echo on Monday, and stated that he was pleased to have finally moved off of the substitutes’ bench. It would also be a move that would allow Mark Bentley to return in the centre of the park.


Che Wilson is also favourite to play at left-back, even though former Arsenal professional Nicky Nicolau set up Joe Ilett for the only goal of the game in Kent two days ago. Wilson has been in decent form, rarely making the same slip-ups as last season, and would be unfortunate to lose his spot in the side.


In goal, Darryl Flahavan is set to continue, despite Ryan Clarke making a number of outstanding saves in the second-string in midweek. The Bristol Rovers loanee custodian can count himself unlucky not to have had a more prolonged spell in the side, but with Bart Griemink likely to be back in time for the next reserve team fixture, Clarke could find himself back in the West Country.


Jay Smith managed to come through 84 minutes of the reserve game against the Gills, but he will still be handed a place watching in the stands. Physiotherapist John Stannard, talking at the Shrimpers Trust AGM last night, explained, “he probably feel a bit tired in the morning. When he is back, it will be like getting a new player, but he has suffered no reaction to the reserve game”.


With Smith waiting for further second-string games under his belt, club captain Kevin Maher will either be partnered by Hunt or Bentley. The consensus appears to be that Bentley was in such good form prior to his suspension that he should be awarded a place in the side, and with the club needing to make the running at home, the former Aveley man would be the better option.


Out wide, with Michael Kightly on loan at Farnborough Town, but restricted from playing in their FA Cup tie tomorrow afternoon so as not to become Cup-tied, and Michael Husbands out of the picture completely, it is again a case of perming two players from three options.


Carl Pettefer and Mark Gower have been the chosen pair for much of the current season, but Corbett’s goal at Glanford Park, as well as a hard-working display against former club Gillingham, could mean that he is awarded a starting position in a revamped line-up. His eye for goal would certainly bolster the chances of Blues finding the back of the net.


Up front, Tesfaye Bramble is without match practice, despite returning to full-time training yesterday, as revealed by Stannard at the Trust Q&A. The former Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge physio explained, “It’s one of those injuries that just takes time, and we tried to rush him back a couple of weeks ago and the knee just flared up again, but now he is back training fully with the squad”.


Former Cobbler Lawrie Dudfield will be on the bench
Lawrie Dudfield played the full ninety minutes against Gills’ second- string, but he is unlikely to dislodge two players who have the pace to threaten any League Two defence. Wayne Gray and Freddy Eastwood have contributed five of the last seven goals between them, with often the other striker being credited with the assist. They will be eager to add more goals in a real competition for places.


Cobblers chief Colin Calderwood, who spoke warmly with Southend boss Steve Tilson in the reserve game between the two sides at Sixfields, is confident going into the match, but remains wary of the Shrimpers’ threat. “We have had a good week”, he told the clubs official website, www.ntfc.co.uk, “but that is only eight days and we have now got to go to the next stage and take this little run as far as we can”.


Speaking of the Seasiders, he said, “Southend will prove a big test for us. They really improved under Steve Tilson last season and they have had some good results recently”. As the former Tottenham Hotspur man went on, he added, “They have got some good players and they have Fred Eastwood up front who has come in on loan and scored four goals in three games”.


Calderwood heaped praise on the youngster, who is celebrating his 21st birthday, by saying, “He’s trying to earn a longer contract there or with another League club and he is one of three or four players who we will really need to keep an eye on”. He finished by declaring, “It would be a great result for us if we can get a win there because I believe that Southend could be up at the right end of the table this season”.


High praise indeed from the man who earned his first win as Town boss against Steve Wignall’s men in early November last season, with the former Colchester United boss promptly being relieved of his duties by Ron Martin. Three men have all managed to pull through slight knocks for the visitors, with Eric Sabin, Fred Murray and Lee Williamson all available to play.


However, Marc Richards and Ashley Westwood will not be involved as they are still sitting on the sidelines waiting for a return to action. Goalkeepers Lee Harper and Paul Rachubka are vying for a starting berth, with the former going from strength to strength in the second-string and Charlton Athletic loanee Rachubka having just a week to run on his deal.


Kick-off is a three o’clock, and don’t forget that Stan Collymore will be in the Shrimpers Bar annex prior to the match signing copies of his new book, Tackling My Demons. That action starts at half-past-twelve. For more details of that, and full details of the Trust AGM last night, click on www.shrimperstrust.co.uk.


We apologise for the lack of a Stat-Pack for this game, but the number of matches and functions attended over the last few days and production of programmes means that time has been limited. It will return for the Shrewsbury Town LDV Vans Trophy clash.


LIKELY SQUADS


Southend United

Northampton Town

4-4-2

Darryl Flahavan

Duncan Jupp

Che Wilson

Spencer Prior

Adam Barrett

Mark Gower

Kevin Maher

Lewis Hunt

Carl Pettefer

Freddy Eastwood

Wayne Gray

---

Ryan Clarke

Andy Edwards

Mark Bentley

Lawrie Dudfield

James Corbett

---

Nicky Nicolau

Stuart Williams

Nick Morgan

Starting Line-Ups

GK

DR

DL

DC

DC

MR

MC

MC

ML

FC

FC

Substitutes

1

2

3

4

5

Also Available

*

*

*

4-4-2

Paul Rachubka

Pedj Bojic

Tommy Jaszczun

Fred Murray

Chris Willmott

Martin Smith

Lee Williamson

David Rowson

Josh Low

Scott McGleish

Eric Sabin

---

Mark Bunn

Luke Chambers

Tom Youngs

David Galbraith

Julian Alsop

---

Lee Harper

Ryan Amoo


MATCH OFFICIALS


Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire)

Assistants: Ian Searle (Hertfordshire) and Steve Tincknell (Hertfordshire)


For full details, please purchase a copy of tomorrow’s matchday programme, ‘The Blues’.


Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com