Southend United vs. Queen's Park Rangers – Preview

Last updated : 23 January 2004 By Robert Craven
Drewe Broughton is back in the fold
Steve Tilson and Paul Brush will realise that although this competition is not the number one priority for the rest of the campaign, it provides the Seasiders with the chance to record their first triumph of 2004 and a morale boost ahead of a difficult run of Division Three fixtures which will potentially make or break Blues entire season. Having drawn the opening two matches of the year, both 1-1 at home to Scarborough in the F.A. Cup and away at Cheltenham in the League, they have since been defeated, 1-0 at the McCain Stadium in crashing out of the Cup and 2-0, with two early goals, on Saturday at Roots Hall against Doncaster Rovers.


The LDV Vans Trophy is often seen as an inferior competition, and although it offers a realistic chance of silverware for clubs below the First Division, many clubs do not take it seriously. Until this stage; QPR boss Ian Holloway has declared his intentions to triumph in this year’s trophy, and Tilson will no doubt have waved the carrot of a prospective area final against local rivals Colchester United in the faces of the current squad.


If the side play as they have in previous rounds of this season’s competition, then they should have no problems in giving the
London side, who lie one place, and only two points, off of top spot in the Second Division, a run for their prize money. Having narrowly overcome Bristol Rovers thanks to Mark Gower’s 118th-minute winner in silver goal extra time in Round One, they picked up the first of two wins at the Vetch Field in dismissing Swansea City 2-1 in November before Second Division Luton Town were seen off in domineering fashion with a 3-0 scoreline.


One of the problems that Tilson and Brush will have to counter is the injury crisis that has swept southeast Essex all year and shows no apparent sign of abating. Added to the lengthy list, which has contained Leke Odunsi and Jamie Fullarton for most of the campaign to date, on Saturday were Tesfaye Bramble and Lewis Hunt, the later tearing a groin muscle whilst the former Cambridge City striker showed that he was not yet ready for a return and had to be hauled off four minutes before the break.


The management duo will be buoyed by the fact that three players are ready to return from suspension. Dave McSweeney did not feature, perhaps a little strangely having completed four matches out of the first-team fray for his second sending off at
Swansea in the League. He may continue to be rested until after he regains match form, hopefully in the Pontin’s Holidays Cup against Peterborough United tomorrow. Drewe Broughton served the second match of a two-game ban against Rovers, whilst Kevin Maher had just a single game to sit out of having reached the limit of five yellow cards.


All of which means that Blues will once again have to rely on a number of players already carrying knocks to get them through the game. Darryl Flahavan struggled through the fixture against
Doncaster will heavy strapping on his knee, whilst Carl Emberson was rushed back from illness to deputise for the shotstopper ahead of Ryan Robinson. In addition to that pair, James Corbett may have to take a place on the substitutes bench having played just four minutes since the last round.


Defensively United should remain much the same as they looked at the weekend. Flahavan is expected to be passed fit to start, with Mark Warren, relinquishing captaincy duties back to Maher, and Leon Cort directly in front of him. The full-backs, Duncan Jupp and Jamie Stuart, have both failed to impress in the last couple of clashes, but should retain their places ahead of McSweeney and Neil Jenkins respectively.


Former Wimbledon full-back Jenkins has looked particularly jaded in recent weeks, and may again sit out the fixture, although he could be called into the midfield positions with Mark Bentley cup-tied having played, and scored twice, for Dagenham & Redbridge, already in the competition. Mark Gower is another to have been tired since the New Year, and he could do with a rest – Steven Clark and Michael Kightly are viable replacements as Maher and the effervescent Jay Smith take the central positions.


Up front, top scorer Leon Constantine stretched his goalless run to five matches against
Doncaster at the weekend, but he will be forced to continue in the absence of Bramble and Corbett. Broughton should partner him, fresh from scoring in the last round against Luton, with Michael Husbands another doubt for the bench, who requires the reserve clash against the Posh to attain match fitness.


QPR have injury problems, but with defenders like Clarke Carlisle and Danny Shittu and forwards of the calibre of Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong, they barely notice compared to the Shrimpers. Marcus Bean limped out of action at the weekend and will certainly miss out, with Tony Thorpe not expected to return until the weekend, as is Kevin McLeod. Gareth Ainsworth and Richard Edgehill, both players with top-flight experience, are longer-term concerns.


The last time the two sides met, Rangers prevailed 1-0 at Roots Hall in March 1997 – a Leo Roget own goal proving to be the difference between the two sides. A reasonably large crowd is expected tonight, with Rangers selling out their allocation. Let’s encourage the home side onto their first win of 2004 and a place in that potentially dream area final from the team up the A12.


MATCH DETAILS


Likely Squads

Southend United

Queen’s Park Rangers

4-4-2

Darryl Flahavan

Duncan Jupp

Jamie Stuart

Leon Cort

Mark Warren

Mark Gower

Kevin Maher

Jay Smith

Michael Kightly

Leon Constantine

Drewe Broughton

---

Carl Emberson

Steven Clark

Che Wilson
Michael Husbands

Neil Jenkins

---

Anthony Clark

Stuart Williams

Steve Tilson

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

Chris Day

Terrell Forbes

Gina Padula

Clarke Carlisle

Danny Shittu

Dean Marney

Matthew Rose

Marc Bircham

Martin Rowlands

Paul Furlong

Kevin Gallen

---

Nicky Culkin

Steve Palmer

Eric Sabin

Dennis Oli

Jake Cole

---

John Fletcher


MATCH OFFICIALS


Referee:
Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire)
Assistant Referees: Darren Cann (
Norfolk) and Glenn Hambling (Norfolk)


Beeby has spent much of this season officiating in the First Division, and this will be his first LDV Vans Trophy match of the campaign, having booked 62 and sent off eight this year in 21 matches, including Leyton Orient goalkeeper Glenn Morris in the O’s 4-1 hoem defeat to
Cheltenham Town. This is Beeby’s fifth season on the Football League books, his last Southend game being at Dean Court last season in the 1-0 defeat. Gavin Strachan was the only Shrimper booked. Stephen Broad was the only United playe cautioned as they lost 1-0 to Wrexham earlier in the campaign and no-one was booked or sent off in the 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road the year before. Orient’s Dave McGhee was shown his marching orders in his pervious Southend clash, the 2-1 home reverse to the East Londoners in 2001/2.


TEAM FORM


Last Matches


Saturday 17th January 2004
– Nationwide League Division Three @ Roots Hall

Southend United 0 Doncaster Rovers 2 (Leo Fortune-West 3, Michael McIndoe 7) [attendance: 4,308]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart; Mark Bentley, Lewis Hunt (Steven Clark half-time), Jay Smith, Mark Gower; Tesfaye Bramble (Michael Kightly 41), Leon Constantine. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Che Wilson, Neil Jenkins.


Saturday 17th January 2004
– Nationwide League Division Two

Queen’s Park Rangers 2 (Martin Rowlands 20, Kevin Gallen 43) Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Danny Cullip 45) [attendance: 17,839]. Queen’s Park Rangers line-up (4-4-2): Chris Day; Terrell Forbes, Clarke Carlisle, Danny Shittu, Gino Padula; Marc Bircham, Matthew Rose (Dean Marney 75), Marcus Bean (Steve Palmer 19), Martin Rowlands; Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong. Subs not used: Nicky Culkin, Eric Sabin, Dennis Oli.


Last Five Matches


Southend United

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

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

D1-1 (away; Cheltenham Town; League Division Three; Drewe Broughton)

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

L0-1 (home; Oxford United; League Division Three)


Queen’s Park Rangers

W2-1 (home; Brighton & Hove Albion; League Division Two; Martin Rowlands, Kevin Gallen)

W1-0 (away; Blackpool; League Division Two; Martin Rowlands)

W1-0 (home; Rushden & Diamonds; League Division Two; Kevin Gallen)

W2-0 (home; Colchester United; League Division Two; Kevin Gallen, Tony Thorpe)

D3-3 (away; Notts County; League Division Two; Steve Palmer, Ian Richardson [o.g.], Kevin Gallen)


Southend United home form

L0-2 (League Division Three; Doncaster Rovers)

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

L0-1 (League Division Three; Oxford United)

L0-1 (League Division Three; Bristol Rovers)

W3-0 (LDV Vans Trophy; Luton Town; Leon Constantine, Michael Kightly, Drewe Broughton)


Queen’s Park Rangers away form

W1-0 (League Division Two; Blackpool; Martin Rowlands)

D3-3 (League Division Two; Notts County; Steve Palmer, Ian Richardson [o.g.], Kevin Gallen)

L1-2 (League Division Two; Oldham Athletic; Tony Thorpe)

D1-1 (League Division Two; Swindon Town; Martin Rowlands)

L0-1 (F.A. Cup; Grimsby Town)


2003/4 SEASON


Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played: 26 [13]

Won: 7 [3]

Drawn: 4 [1]

Lost: 15 [9]

Scored: 23 [11]

Conceded: 40 [18]

Goal Difference: -17 [-7]

Points: 25 [10]

Position: 22nd [23rd]

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 (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: vs. Queen’s Park Rangers (home) on Tuesday 20th February 2004


Queen’s Park Rangers

Nationwide League Division Two (overall [away])

Played: 27 [13]

Won: 15 [4]

Drawn: 9 [6]

Lost: 3 [3]

Scored: 49 [18]

Conceded: 21[17]

Goal Difference: +28 [+1]

Points: 54 [18]

Position: 2nd [4th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: lost to Grimsby Town (away) 0-1

Carling Cup

First Round: beat Cheltenham Town (away) 2-1

Second Round: beat Sheffield United (away) 2-0

Third Round: lost to Manchester City (home) 0-3

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: beat Kidderminster Harriers (home) 2-0

Second Round: beat Dagenham & Redbridge (home) 2-1

Southern Section Quarter-Final: beat Brighton & Hove Albion (home) 2-1

Southern Section Semi-Final: vs. Southend United (away) on Tuesday 20th February 2004


THE HISTORY


Last Match

Southend United

0-1
(Attendance: 6,747)

Queen’s Park Rangers

League Division One @ Roots Hall, 15th March 1997

Leo Roget [o.g.] 82

Simon Royce

Andy Harris

Keith Dublin

Mark McNally

Leo Roget

Mike Lapper

Mike Marsh

Paul Byrne

Andy Rammell

Andy Thomson

Julian Hails

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-(83)

Juergen Sommer

Danny Maddix

Rufus Brevett

Simon Barker

Alan McDonald

Karl Ready

John Spencer

Gavin Peacock

Danny Dichio

Andy Impey

Trevor Sinclair

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

John Neilson

Paul Williams

Mark Stimson

-

-(83)

-

Andy McDermott

Steve Slade

Paul Murray

-

-

-


Last Five Meetings


15th March 1997
– Southend United 0 Queen’s Park Rangers 1 (Leo Roget [o.g.] 82) – League Division One

14th December 1996 – Queen’s Park Rangers 4 (Simon Barker 40 [pen], Andy Harris [o.g.] 44, John Spencer 50, Gavin Peacock 68) – League Division One

1974 – Queen’s Park Rangers 2 Southend United 0 – F.A. Cup

1974 – Southend United 2 Queen’s Park Rangers 2 – F.A. Cup

16th April 1966 – Queen’s Park Rangers 2 Southend United 1 – League Division Three


The Complete Head-to-Head Record


1996/7 – H0-1 A0-4 (League)

1974/5 – H2-2 A0-2 (F.A. Cup)

1965/6 – H1-3 A1-2 (League)

1964/5 – H0-0 A0-2 (League)

1963/4 – H1-3 A5-4 (League)

1962/3 – H1-3 A0-1 (League)

1961/2 – H2-3 A3-5 (League)

1960/1 – H0-0 A1-2 (League)

1959/60 – H3-2 A0-0 (League)

1958/9 – H4-0 A3-1 (League)

1957/8 – H6-0 A1-1 (League)

1956/7 – H3-0 A0-3 (League)

1955/6 – H5-1 A2-1 (League), H2-0 (F.A. Cup)

1954/5 – H2-2 A1-1 (League)

1953/4 – H4-1 A0-1 (League)

1952/3 – H2-0 A2-3 (League)

1947/8 – H0-0 A2-3 (League)

1946/7 – H1-3 A0-1 (League)

1938/9 – H2-1 A1-1 (League)

1937/8 – H2-1 A0-1 (League)

1936/7 – H3-2 A2-7 (League)

1935/6 – H0-1 A1-2 (League)

1934/5 – H2-0 A1-1 (League)

1933/4 – H0-2 A0-4 (League)

1932/3 – H0-1 A1-6 (League)

1931/2 – H0-0 A1-2 (League)

1930/1 – H2-0 A2-0 (League)

1929/30 – H1-0 A5-2 (League)

1928/9 – H0-3 A1-3 (League)

1927/8 – H7-0 A2-3 (League)

1926/7 – H0-3 A2-3 (League)

1925/6 – H2-1 A2-2 (League)

1924/5 – H1-0 A1-3 (League)

1923/4 – H4-2 A0-0 (League)

1922/3 – H2-0 A0-1 (League)

1921/2 – H1-2 A0-1 (League)

1920/1 – H1-0 A0-2 (League)

1909/10 – H0-0 A2-3 (F.A. Cup)


Summary


Overall (77 matches)

Southend United 25

Queen’s Park Rangers 38

Draws 14


At Southend United (39 matches)

Southend United 20

Queen’s Park Rangers 12

Draws 7

In cup competitions (5 matches)

Southend United 1

Queen’s Park Rangers 2

Draws 2


Robert Craven

www.thelittlegazette.com