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A factor here is that not only do the Shrimpers rarely win at Swansea, just once in fact, but they hardly win in Wales whatsoever, and the Vetch Field is hardly an easy place to come and win. Having won their last three matches, and indeed seven from the last ten, this is the type of match which, should United win, will convince the long-suffering fans that their side is good enough to go onto to big things this season.
Striker Barrington Belgrave was the hero last weekend as his goal, deep, deep into injury time against York City earned Southend a single-goal victory, and the former Yeovil Town man will be named in the starting line-up for the first time this season, desputising for Graemr Jones who serves a one-match suspension having picked up five bookings this season. Other than that, despite two half time switches and a change of formation last week, manager Rob Newman is expected to name the same side that started against York.
Newman however has added his own name to the eighteen man squad alongside another notable one; that of Steve Tilson, the former Canvey Island man featuring in the Blues first team for the first time in over five years. One of either Newman, Tilson or young defender Tom Jordan will named on the bench.
United lost 3-1 at the Vetch last season, Leon Cort grabbing Southend's equaliser, but in mid-October two Kevin Maher penalties plus further strikes from Tes Bramble and Belgrave - his first fot the Club - saw United come out 4-2 victors at Roots Hall.
Last Matches:-
Southend United 1 (Belgrave 90) York City 0, Line-up - Flahavan, Cort, Broad, Whelan (Searle 46), Beard, Maher, Selley (Steven Clark 46), Smith, Jenkins, Bramble, Jones (Belgrave 75). Unused - Thurgood, Gay.
Oxford United 1 (Louis 73) Swansea City 0, Line-up - Freestone, Smith, Mumford, Evans (De Vulght 8), Howard, Lacey, O'Leary, Reid, Thomas, Watkin, Keaveney (Moss 73). Unused - Theobald, Murphy, Jackson.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS:-
15th Feb, 2002 - Swansea City 3 Southend United 1 (Cort) - Division Three
13th Oct, 2001 - Southend United 4 (Bramble, Maher 2 [2 pens], Belgrave) Swansea City 2 - Division Three
29th Jan, 2000 - Southend United 2 (Carruthers 2) Swansea City 1 - Division Three
28th Aug, 1999 - Swansea City 3 Southend United 1 (Roach) - Division Three
9th Mar, 1999 - Southend United 2 (Roach, Conlon) Swansea City 0 - Division Three
SOUTHEND (from):- Darryl Flahavan, Daniel Gay, Mark Beard, Neil Jenkins, Damon Searle, Leon Cort, Stephen Broad, Tom Jordan, Phil Whelan, Rob Newman, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Stuart Thurgood, Steve Tilson, Ian Selley, Steven Clark, Tesfaye Bramble, Barrington Belgrave.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
HEAD-TO-HEAD SWANSEA CITY v SOUTHEND UNITED
Stats by www.soccer-stats.co.uk
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