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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
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
York
TEAM DETAILS
Likely Squads
Southend United | ||
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 * * * | 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 (
Assistant Referees: Ian Gosling (
Penton has already appeared at Roots Hall in the current campaign, booking Kevin Maher and Mark Warren in the 3-0 defeat to
TEAM FORM
Last Matches
Saurday 24th January 2004 – Nationwide League Division Three @ Field Mill
Sunday 25th January 2004
Last Five Matches
Southend United
L0-1 (away;
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;
D1-1 (away;
York
L0-2 (home;
L1-2 (away;
W2-0 (home; Carlisle United; League Division Three; Chris Brass, Richard Cooper)
W2-1 (away;
L0-2 (home;
Southend United home form
W4-0 (LDV Vans Trophy;
L0-2 (League Division Three;
D1-1 (F.A. Cup;
L0-1 (League Division Three;
L0-1 (League Division Three;
York
L1-2 (League Division Three;
W2-1 (League Division Three;
D1-1 (League Division Three; Torquay United; Lee Nogan)
L0-3 (League Division Three;
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
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: vs.
York
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
Carling Cup
First Round: lost to Rotherham United (away) 1-2
LDV Vans Trophy
First Round: lost to
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
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
Draws 10
In The League (37 matches)
Southend United 14
Draws 9
At Southend United (20 matches)
Southend United 9
Draws 6
Robert Craven