September hardly got off to a great start for United, a home reverse on the opening day of the month to local rivals Leyton Orient brought few smiles, Phil Whelan heading Blues equaliser ten minutes into the second half after loanee Leon Constantine had given the O's the lead. United's miserable afternoon was completely when Dean Smith's header looped over the helpless Darryl Flahavan.
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David Webb once again returned to Huish Park to poach a player from his former Club, this time splashing out £40,000 for the services of stocky striker Barrington Belgrave, formerly a trainee with Norwich City prior to joining Yeovil Town from Plymouth Argyle. Belgrave's debut in the Roots Hall encounter with Hartlepool United is possibly the only thing worth mentioning from the match. Needless to say it finished goalless.
Three days later and a midweek trip to Bristol Rovers' Memorial Ground awaited the Shrimpers. Despite Rovers' decidedly poor floodlights, everything started brightly for United, Leon Johnson's precise header putting southend in front, but having equalised on the stroke of half time, Rovers inflicted defeat on United in the cruellest fashion possible, Andy Thomson's injury time free kick somehow squirming through the grasp of Darryl Flahavan to send United, undeservedly, home pointless.
Southend may have been unlucky in defeat down in Bristol, but four days later at Oxford United's new Kassam Stadium, Webb's men could have no complaints. Other than Tony Richards' well struck free kick hitting a post, United failed to register a meaningful effort on target during the entire 90 minutes, and in all fairness the Shrimpers came away glad that the final damage was only a 2-0 reverse.
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Unfortunately performances weren't getting any better, but Southend managed to scrape past Carlisle United at Roots Hall. Kevin Maher chipping an accidental winning goal two minutes from time. Phil Whelan and Daniel Webb also netted for the Shrimpers in a game that eventually finished 3-2.
A miserble month was completed on a most miserable night, a cold Friday evening bringing the visit of Cheltenham Town, and a shambolic United performance bringing a 1-0 Roots Hall reverese.
To Be Contiuned...
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com