Southend United vs. York City – Preview

Last updated : 30 January 2004 By Robert Craven
Mark Bentley is set to return in the middle of the park
It appears now that the boffins from the Meteorological Office got it slightly wrong – the white stuff will now, it seems, be arriving late this evening and overnight, and this fixture appears likely to go ahead. Should, for whatever reason, the York City fans and players be turned around on the A1 this afternoon and the match postponed, you will, of course, be able to read about it here.


The Shrimpers, though, will be looking to pick up the three points that would leave them six points clear of relegation zone Darlington and level on games played, as well as closing the gap substantially to the sides immediately above them ahead of a trip to free-falling Bury on Saturday. A repeat of the last outing at Roots Hall, the 4-0 demolition of Queens Park Rangers, would go some way to appeasing the supporters.


That victory, of course, hands Blues the chance to tackle Colchester United in the area final of the LDV Vans Trophy over a fortnight in February. A reasonable crowd this evening can be expected as season ticket holders attempt to collect their tickets for the away leg at Layer Road on February 10th, and then the more floating supporters come in to attain a ticket stub which can be exchanged for preferential treatment when it comes to meting out tickets for the home leg at Roots Hall on February 24th.


However enjoyable the LDV Vans Trophy run has been in this campaign, caretaker manager Steve Tilson has continued to reiterate to the followers and his players alike that the number one priority remains Football League survival in 2003/4, and that was dealt another blow as the Seasiders slumped to a 1-0 reverse against Mansfield Town on Saturday, the winning goal coming courtesy of a highly-contested Wayne Corden spot-kick fifteen minutes in after Iyseden Christie had embarrassingly throw himself to the ground.


The loss marked the third League match in succession when United have failed to collect maximum points, and after winning seven of their first nine matches in control, Tilson and Brush have since found the wheels coming off, and the duo desperately need to start picking up Third Division points if they are to make any sort of impression on Ron Martin for the vacant managers job.


In attempting to overcome the Minstermen, who have themselves fallen off of the pace in the Third Division of late, especially with a 2-0 defeat to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon, they seem likely to be without yet another midfielder. Jay Smith battled bravely on against the Stags at the weekend, but he is a major doubt for this evening’s clash, and joins fellow central players Jamie Fullarton and Leke Odunsi on the sidelines.


The likelihood is that Mark Bentley, the recent acquisition from Dagenham & Redbridge, will step straight into Smith’s boots, having grown into the midfield role during the second half of the disappointing 2-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers ten days ago. He will partner club captain Kevin Maher, whilst Mark Gower is likely to remain in a wide position. Steven Clark missed a guilt-edge chance at Field Mill, but nonetheless impressed again, and will be hoping to retain his place ahead of this most vital of months.


Up front, too, the Shrimpers have continuing striking problems. James Corbett has recently returned to full training, but he is unlikely to be handed a place in the squad for this evening’s game after he aggravated a toe injury in coming back too fast from an ankle knock. Michael Husbands is also on course to return, but the Essex Senior Cup tie a week tonight against
Wivenhoe Town is a far more likely rendez vous. Tesfaye Bramble has a couple of weeks to prove his fitness to John Stannard ahead of the LDV Vans Trophy area final against Colchester United, so Leon Constantine and Drewe Broughton will partner each other again.


Darryl Flahavan was extremely unfortunate to concede a penalty on Saturday, and otherwise enjoyed a rather quiet match, and will keep his place in the side ahead of Carl Emberson. The back four of Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren and Jamie Stuart are also Tilson and Brush’s first choice in the enforced absence of
Derby County loanee Lewis Hunt, and will hope to carry on in the same vein as the weekend. Dave McSweeney, Che Wilson and Neil Jenkins should warm the bench with Michael Kightly.


York
could recall out-of-favour defender-cum-forward Jon Parkin to the side after their weekend defeat, whilst ex-Shrimper Chris Porter is set to resume substitute goalkeeping responsibilities having been involved in a car accident. The last two meetings between the side, both at Bootham Crescent, have ended in 2-0 wins for the Minstermen, who are currently in the top half of the Third Division table.


TEAM DETAILS


Likely Squads

Southend United

York City

4-4-2

Darryl Flahavan

Duncan Jupp

Jamie Stuart

Leon Cort

Mark Warren

Mark Gower

Kevin Maher

Mark Bentley

Steven Clark

Leon Constantine

Drewe Broughton

---

Carl Emberson

Dave McSweeney

Che Wilson

Neil Jenkins

Michael Kightly

---

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

Mark Ovendale

Chris Smith

Chris Brass

Richard Hope

Darren Edmondson

Darren Dunning

Lee Bullock

Mitch Ward

Dave Merris

Lee Nogan

Jon Parkin

---

Chris Porter

Richard Cooper

Lev Yalcin

Christian Fox

Justin Walker

---

Sean Davies


MATCH OFFICIALS


Referee:
Clive Penton (Sussex)

Assistant Referees: Ian Gosling (Kent) and Trevor Pollard (Suffolk)


Penton has already appeared at Roots Hall in the current campaign, booking Kevin Maher and Mark Warren in the 3-0 defeat to
Mansfield Town back in August. He is now onto his third year on the Football League panel. The Sussex-based official first took charge of a Shrimpers clash nearly two years ago in October 2001, when he sent off Kristian O’Leary at Roots Hall to help Blues defeat Swansea City 4-2, Kevin Maher stroking home the resultant spot-kick. In that season he dismissed a further two players, cautioning 84 in 29 matches. Last season he took charge of Blues second home League clash, like this campaign, and he booked eight but amazingly allowed Matty Redmile to stay on the pitch after he clattered Tesfaye Bramble in the dying seconds, with United going down 3-2 to Shrewsbury Town. Later on in the year he booked five, only Maher from the Seasiders, in the Blues Family Bonanza clash with Rushden & Diamonds. He did however sent off ten and book 123 in just 36 games for the season, with 75 and 11 in 22 this time around.


TEAM FORM


Last Matches


Saurday 24th January 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Field Mill

Mansfield Town 1 (Wayne Corden 15 [pen]) Southend United 0 [attendance: 4,292]. Southend United line-up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart (Michael Kightly 83); Steven Clark, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith (Mark Bentley 89), Mark Gower; Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton. Subs not used: Carl Emberson, Che Wilson, Neil Jenkins.


Sunday 25th January 2004
– Nationwide League Division Three @ Bootham Crescent

York City 0 Huddersfield Town 2 (Danny Schofield 88, David Mirfin 89) [attendance: 6,969]. York City line-up (4-4-2): Mark Ovendale; Chris Smith, Chris Brass, Richard Hope, Darren Edmondson; Darren Dunning, Richard Cooper, Mitch Ward, Dave Merris; Lee Nogan (Lev Yalcin 77), Lee Bullock. Subs not used: David Stockdale, Christian Fox, Sean Davies, Justin Walker.


Last Five Matches


Southend United

L0-1 (away; Mansfield Town; League Division Three)

W4-0 (home; Queens Park Rangers, LDV Vans Trophy; Leon Constantine, Steven Clark, Drewe Broughton 2)

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)


York
City

L0-2 (home; Huddersfield Town; League Division Three)

L1-2 (away; Northampton Town; League Division Three; Lee Bullock)

W2-0 (home; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Chris Brass, Richard Cooper)

W2-1 (away; Rochdale; League Division Three; Lee Nogan 2)

L0-2 (home; Hull City; League Division Three)


Southend United home form

W4-0 (LDV Vans Trophy; Queens Park Rangers; Leon Cdonstantine, Steven Clark, Drewe Broughton 2)

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)


York
City
away form

L1-2 (League Division Three; Northampton Town; Lee Bullock)

W2-1 (League Division Three; Rochdale; Lee Nogan 2)

D1-1 (League Division Three; Torquay United; Lee Nogan)

L0-3 (League Division Three; Darlington)

D2-2 (League Division Three; Leyton Orient; Darren Edmondson, Stephen Brackstone)


2003/4 SEASON


Southend United

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [home])

Played: 27 [13]

Won: 7 [3]

Drawn: 4 [1]

Lost: 16 [9]

Scored: 23 [11]

Conceded: 41 [18]

Goal Difference: -18 [-7]

Points: 25 [10]

Position: 22nd [24th]

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: vs. Colchester United (away) on Tuesday 10th February 2004 and vs. Colchester United (home) on Tuesday 24th February 2004


York
City

Nationwide League Division Three (overall [away])

Played: 28 [14]

Won: 10 [3]

Drawn: 9 [5]

Lost: 9 [6]

Scored: 26 [10]

Conceded: 32 [21]

Goal Difference: -6 [-11]

Points: 39 [14]

Position: 10th [17th]

F.A. Cup

First Round: lost to Barnsley (home) 1-2

Carling Cup

First Round: lost to Rotherham United (away) 1-2

LDV Vans Trophy

First Round: lost to Halifax Town (away) 1-2


THE HISTORY

Last Match

Tuesday 26th August 2003 - Nationwide League Division Three @ Bootham Crescent
York City 2 (Richard Hope 36, Liam George 49) Southend United 0 [attendance: 5,592]
York City line-up (4-4-2): Mark Ovendale; Darren Edmondson, Leigh Wood, Richard Cooper (Steve Downes 81), Richard Hope; Darren Dunning, Mitch Ward, Lee Bullock (Stephen Brackstone 85), Dave Merris; Lee Nogan (Bryan Stewart 88), Liam George. Subs not used: Chris Porter, Sean Davies.
Southend United (5-3-2): Carl Emberson, Duncan Jupp, Mark Warren, Leon Cort, Dave McSweeney, Jamie Stuart (James Corbett 45); Leke Odunsi, Kevin Maher, Mark Gower (Michael Kightly 85); Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton. Subs not used: Ryan Robinson, Stuart Williams, Luke Nightingale.

Last Five Meetings


26th August 2003
York City 2 (Richard Hope 36, Liam George 49) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

29th March 2003York City 2 (Lee Nogan 18, Lee Bullock 45) Southend United 0 – League Division Three

12th October 2002 – Southend United 1 (Barrington Belgrave 90) York City 0 – League Division Three

9th February 2002 – Southend United 0 York City 1 (Jon Parkin 84) – League Division Three

20th October 2001York City 2 (Lee Nogan 15, Michael Proctor 65) Southend United 1 (Mark Rawle 14) – League Division Three


The Complete Head-to-Head Record


2003/4 – A0-2 (League)

2002/3 – H1-0 A0-2 (League)

2001/2 – H0-1 A1-2 (League)

2000/1 – H1-0 A0-1 (League)

1999/2000 – H0-0 A2-2 (League)

1997/8 – H4-4 A1-1 (League)

1989/90 – H2-0 A1-2 (League)

1987/8 – H3-1 A3-0 (League)

1980/1 – H3-0 A1-0 (League)

1977/8 – H0-0 A2-1 (League)

1973/4 – H3-3 A0-1 (League)

1972/3 – H3-0 A0-2 (League)

1970/1 – H1-0 A0-3 (League)

1969/70 – H1-0 A0-1 (League)

1968/9 – H1-2 A1-1 (League)

1967/8 – H0-1 A2-2 (League)

1966/7 – H2-1 A1-2 (League)

1965/6 – H2-3 A3-0 (League)

1959/60 – H1-1 A3-2 (League)

1936/7 – H3-3 A1-2 (F.A. Cup)

1929/30 – H1-4 (F.A. Cup)


Summary


Overall (40 matches)

Southend United 14

York City 16

Draws 10


In The League (37 matches)

Southend United 14

York City 14

Draws 9


At Southend United (20 matches)

Southend United 9

York City 5

Draws 6


Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com