Southend United vs. Swansea City – Preview

Matk Gower will hope to add to his seven-goal tally, but could miss out with a niggling injury.

That was Tuesday, November 4^th 2003, and Tilson was on the sidelines barking out orders to his team with caretaker manager David Webb sitting in the stands. Webb was in his fourth stint in charge, but throughout his reign, which also extended to a 1-1 F.A. Cup draw with Canvey Island, a 4-0 Division Three defeat at Yeovil Town and the 3-2 win at Park Lane in the first round Cup replay, it was really ‘Tilly’ pulling the strings. After Jay Smith’s last-minute winner against the Gulls, he sped off back to his home in Poole.

Tilson has since managed 24 matches as caretaker manager, forever with Paul Brush by his side. In the eleven matches that tey have won is included a 3-2 win at Swansea in the Nationwide League Third Division. But the 89 supporters who made the trip to south Wales that day – fifty more than had done so six weeks earlier – will never forget that fixture.

The home side took the lead, but Leon Constantine equalised soon after, only for Dave McSweeney to be dismissed minutes later. Undeterred, Mark Gower stabbed United in front seconds before the break before referee Goerge Cain totally lost control. Jay Smith was sent off for dissent by the corner flag three minutes from the end, and Gower followed him off for talking back to the officials as he was being substituted. However, in an amazing finale, Mark Warren netted with only eight men on the field and, despite an even later consolation from the Swans, Blues prevailed to win 3-2.

That was, of course, a vital League victory in the sitiuation United found themselves in, and continue to do so today. The three points on that day hauled the Seasiders above Darlington by a point, but the sitaution, although improved, is still anxious for Southend supporters. The club lie in 19^th position at the moment, although with results going their way they could end up in 14^th by the end of tomorrow. Blues are also eight points clear of the drop at the moment, and another win would see security a week on Sunday when the Shrimpers visit Cardiff.

Three points tomorrow would also put Blues within two points of their total at the same stage of last season, which ultimately was (albeit just) enough to remain in the Football League. It would also see the Shrimpers unbeaten run stretched to five matches, there would be just one defeat in eleven and no defeats a home since Doncaster Rovers raided Roots Hall for a 2-0 win on January 17^th.

However, that will not be an easy task as their visitors currently lie in 10^th position in the Third Division, only six points off of the play-off places with a game in hand over Lawrie Dudfield-chasing Yeovil Town. The two sides have an almost identical form over the last month or so of League action, with two wins, three draws and a defeat apiece, although City have picked up a single victory in their last six away matches.

Team selection on Tilson and Brush’s part will be tricky, although that would be solved if Dudfield has failed to sign by three o’clock at the very latest, or if he choses Yeovil above Southend. Should he manage to be registered with the Football League in time for the Shrimpers then he would walk straight into the starting line-up, otherwise Tilson will have to decide on his best partnership.

That is likely to include sixteen-goal top goalscorer Leon Constantine, although he could revert to the right wing should Tilson decide that is beneficial. Drewe Broughton, who despite all of his LDV Vans Trophy heroics still only has one League goal to his name, scored against Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road in January, could return, although both Tesaye Bramble and James Corbett played well at London Road in the 3-0 reserves defeat to Peterborough United in midweek and could feature at some stage.

If Constantine is shifted into midfield, then that would mean that loanee Carl Pettefer – one man Tilson has been able to keep – being dropped, although the Portsmouth man could find himself out of a place anyway after a highly impressive performance from Neil Jenkins, who scored just ten days ago in the first team win at Boston United, in the second-string.

Jenkins’ inclusion would be on the left-hand side, and would involve Mark Gower switching to his more favoured right-flank position. There is little prospect of Gower being sidelined after a week resting and reflecting on his equaliser against Bristol Rovers last Saturday. Nor too will Kevin Maher be dropped, although Mark Bentley could be replaced if Lewis Hunt is reshuffled.

Hunt made a couple of slips in the 1-1 draw at the Memorial Ground last weekend, and could find himself moved on, with Mark Warren slotting in alongside Leon Cort in the centre of defence. Duncan Jupp is likely to start at right-back and Che Wilson on the left, despite the return of Jamie Stuart. Darryl Flahavan lines up in goal with Carl Emberson on the bench.

Swansea will be without striker Lee Trundle, who pulled a hamstring returning from injury in the reserve side on Wednesday. However, they will be able to call upon Paul Connor, who signed a £35,000-deal on Thursday to join the Welshmen. He scored 32 goals during his time at Spotland, after becoming the club’s record signing in March 2001.

TEAM DETAILS

Likely Squads

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Graham Barber (Hertfordshire)

Assistant Referees: Rob Lewis (Shropshire) and Mike Tingey (Buckinghamshire)

The appointment of Barber is seen as a reflection of the three sendings off in the last game between the two clubs, as well as last season’s Roots Hall encounter when Kevin Nugent was dismissed. The Hertfordshire-born official will be participating in just his second Nationwide League match of the season, the last being the First Division tie between Norwich City and Gillingham. He has booked 85 and sent off four in a 25-match campaign that includes games in the Europeam Cup and European Championship qualifiers as well as the Premiership. His last Southend match was in 2000, on Boxing Day, when Scott Forbes, Kevin Maher and Leo Roget were all booked amongst a total of seven in a 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient.

TEAM FORM

Last Match

Saturday 6^th March 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ the Memorial Stadium

Bristol Rovers 1 (Paul Tait 15) Southend United 1 (Mark Gower 81) [attendance: 5,625]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson (Tesfaye Bramble 77); Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Carl Pettefer (Drewe Broughton 71); Lawrie Dudfield, Leon Constantine. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Dave McSweeney, Neil Jenkins.

Tuesday 9^th March 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ the Vetch Field

Swansea City 1 (Brad Maylett 78) Rochdale 1 (Leo Bertos 26) [attendance: 5,819]. Swansea City line-up (3-5-2): Brian Murphy; Michael Howard, Alan Tate, Ezomo Iriekpen; Leon Britton, Roberto Martinez, Kristian O’Leary (Stuart Jones 45), Jonathan Coates (Brad Maylett 45), Andy Robinson; Stuart Roberts, James Thomas. Subs not used: Roger Freestone, Antonio Corbisierso.

Last Five Matches

Southend United

D1-1 (away; Bristol Rovers; League Division Three; Mark Gower)

W2-0 (away; Boston United; League Division Three; Mark Bentley, Neil Jenkins)

W1-0 (home; Macclesfield Town; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)

D1-1 (away; Bury; League Division Three; Leon Constantine)

L1-2 (away; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Lawrie Dudfield)

Swansea City

D1-1 (home; Rochdale; League Division Three; Brad Maylett)

D1-1 (home; Doncaster Rovers; League Division Three; Stuart Roberts)

W1-0 (away; Cambridge United; League Division Three; Ezomo Iriekpen)

W2-1 (home; Leyton Orient; League Division Three; Lee Trundle, Alan Tate)

L0-2 (away; Kidderminster Harriers; League Division Three)

Southend United home form

W1-0 (League Division Three; Macclesfield Town; Lawrie Dudfield)

D1-1 (LDV Vans Trophy; Colchester United; Drewe Broughton)

W3-0 (League Division Three; Kidderminster Harriers, Leon Constantine 2 [2 pens], Lawrie Dudfield)

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

D0-0 (League Division Three; York City)

Swansea City away form

W1-0 (League Division Three; Cambridge United; Ezomo Iriekpen)

L0-2 (League Division Three; Kidderminster Harriers)

D1-1 (League Division Three; Boston United; Leon Britton)

L1-2 (F.A. Cup; Tranmere Rovers; Andy Robinson)

L0-2 (League Division Three; Bury)

2003/4 SEASON

Southend United
Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played: 35 [17]

Won: 11 [6]

Drawn: 7 [2]

Lost: 17 [9]

Scored: 33 [16]

Conceded: 45 [18]

Goal Difference: -12 [-2]

Points: 40 [20]

Position: 19^th [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 (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: beat Colchester United 4-3 on aggregate (away: W3-2, home: D1-1)

Final: vs. Blackpool at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday 21^st March 2004, kick-off 1 p.m.

Swansea City

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])
Played: 34 [16]

Won: 13 [5]

Drawn: 11 [4]

Lost: 10 [7]

Scored: 44 [15]

Conceded: 40 [23]

Goal Difference: +4 [-8]

Points: 50 [19]

Position: 10^th [11^th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: beat Rushden & Diamonds (home) 3-0

Second Round: beat Stevenage Borough (home) 2-1

Third Round: beat Macclesfield Town (home) 2-1

Fourth Round: beat Preston North End (home) 2-1

Fifth Round: lost to Tranmere Rovers (away) 1-2

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Bristol City (away) 1-4

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: bye

Second Round: lost to Southend United (home) 1-2

THE HISTORY

Last Meeting

Last Five Meetings

13^th December 2003 – Swansea City 2 (James Thomas 14, 90+7) Southend United 3 (Leon Constantine 17, Mark Gower 45+1, Mark Warren 90+3) – League Division Three

4^th November 2003 - Swansea City 1 (Daniel Nardiello 90) Southend United 2 (Tesfaye Bramble 70, James Corbett 78) – LDV Vans Trophy second round

18^th March 2003 - Southend United 0 Swansea City 2 (Jason Thomas 60 [pen]. Kevin Nugent 64) – League Division Three

19^th October 2002 - Swansea City 1 (Jason Thomas 52 [pen]) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

15^th February 2002 – Swansea City 3 (Christopher Todd 1, 32, Mamade Sidibe 75) Southend United 2 (Leon Cort 6, Phil Whelan 86) – League Division Three

The Complete Head-to-Head Record

2003/4 – A3-2 (League), A2-1 (LDV Vans Trophy)

2002/3 – H0-2 A0-1 (League)

2001/2 – H4-2 A2-3 (League)

1999/2000 – H2-1 A1-3 (League)

1998/9 – H2-0 A1-3 (League)

1990/1 – H4-1 A4-1 (League)

1988/9 – H0-2 A0-2 (League)

1986/7 – H1-2 A0-1 (League)

1978/9 – H0-2 A2-3 (League)

1977/8 – H2-1 A0-0 (League)

1976/7 – H1-2 A0-2 (League)

1975/6 – H2-0 (F.A. Cup)

1972/3 – H3-1 A1-1 (League)

1969/70 – H2-1 A0-2 (League)

1968/9 – H4-0 A2-2 (League)

1967/8 – H1-0 A2-2 (League)

1965/6 – H2-0 A0-5 (League)

1948/9 – H0-0 A2-2 (League) H1-2 (F.A. Cup)

1947/8 – H1-1 A0-3 (League)

1924/5 – H1-0 A0-4 (League)

1923/4 – H0-0 A1-2 (League)

1922/3 – H0-1 A0-1 (League)

1921/2 – H1-0 A1-1 (League) H0-1 (F.A. Cup)

1920/1 – H1-2 A0-2 (League)

Summary

Overall (49 matches)

Southend United 16

Swansea City 24

Draws 9

In the League (45 matches)

Southend United 14

Swansea City 22

Draws 9

At Southend United (25 matches)

Southend United 13

Swansea City 9

Draws 3

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com