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Tilly gets manager of the month… but hopefully not the curse!

Last updated : 31 March 2005 By Matt Donohue

Paul Brush
Brushy takes a lot of the credit for Southend's brilliant form
It is fantastic news for Tilson who placed much of the praise on his team of both players and management. ‘The players have been excellent really and I’ve had good support from Paul Brush and the rest of the backroom staff,’ Tilson told the club’s official website www.southendunited.co.uk. Tilson, who took over as Southend manager after the sacking of Steve Wignall in November 2003 has picked the award up after a fantastic month.

Tilson’s side has been unbeaten since January and their run of form has continued all the way through March. With five league games played, Southend have managed to win three of them, whilst drawing the other two games. The Shrimpers have also managed to qualify for the LDV Vans Trophy Final after claiming an aggregate victory over Bristol Rovers by four goals to three.

The month started in a scrappy fashion for the Blues where they fought back from a goal down on two occasions away at Chester City. Whilst Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood took the praise for grabbing the goals, the game was disturbingly overshadowed by the racist abuse received by Lewis Hunt.

Next to follow was another 2-2 draw but a far more celebrated one. Bristol Rovers were overcome on aggregate despite attempting to grab an equaliser in response to Wayne Gray and Freddy Eastwood’s strikes. Southend were off to the Millennium Stadium again.

Only four days later came the visit of the rather large Lincoln City. The game, was a largely dull one, but came alive three minutes from time when six foot seven inches Ben Futcher headed in from a corner. However Southend hit back when Mark Bentley surged into the penalty area and was fouled. Freddy Eastwood hit the penalty into the back of the net to send Southend home with a point.

Steve TIlson
Tilson fired his troops up for three wins at the back end of the month
Southend then recorded three straight wins and scoring eight and conceding no goals in the process. The first of the three, away to Cheltenham saw the Blues win three nil, Wayne Gray (two) and Freddy Eastwood doing the honours.

Next up at the Hall was Rochdale who were also swept away by three goals, with Freddy Eastwood, Mark Bentley and Wayne Gray grabbing goals.

The last game of the month saw Blues travel to Cambridge United’s the Abbey Stadium where they took away three points. Central defenders Spencer Prior and Adam Barrett, scored the goals that saw Southend move into second place one point off the leaders Yeovil.

With Southend pushing for promotion, the League Two title and the LDV Vans Trophy all involved with Southend United will be hoping that the manager of the month curse does not hit Tilson and his team.