All three competitive clashes thus far against the Chairboys took place in 1997, and the Seasiders came out on the wrong side of all of the trio. The first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs took place in September of that year and, Wycombe having just been promoted to Division Two and Southend relegated from Division One, it was the home side at Adams Park that ran out victorious by four goals to one, Jeroen Boere having temporarily (for sixty seconds at least) equalised just before the break.
The next encounter was in the Auto Windscreens Shield, what now constitutes the LDV Vans Trophy. It was the first time the Buckinghamshire side had visited Roots Hall, and they snatched a single-goal win when Mark Stallard, who had scored twice in that inaugural match, netted two minutes before half time to send Blues out on their re-acquaintance with the tournament.
Finally, United hosted Wanderers two days after Boxing Day that same year. Southend came into the match on a three-match unbeaten run (including that 4-4 home draw with York City), but just four points above the drop. The away side were level on points, but two Kevin Scott goals cancelled out Andy Thomson’s for Blues, and precipitated a five game losing run for the Seasiders, who were eventually relegated, failing to win any of their last seven games, whilst the Chairboys ended up safely in 14th.
Last Meeting
SOUTHEND UNITED 1 vs. 2 Andy Thomson 47 Kevin Scott 6, 84 4-4-2 TEAMS 4-4-2 Neville Southall Martin Taylor Julian Hails David Kerslake Nathan Jones Jason Kavanagh Regis Coulbault Keith Ryan Andy Harris Paul McCarthy Keith Dublin 45 Mike Forsyth John Nielson Dave Carroll Phil Gridlet Kevin Scott Jeroen Boere 79 Mark Stallard Sada N’Diaye 45 89 Steve McGavin Adrian Clarke Steve Brown Chris Perkins 79 Paul Read Andy Thomson 45 89 Mo Harkin Mark Stimson 45 Nicky MohanWYCOMBE WANDERERS
SUBS
Complete Head-to-Head Record
28th December 1997 – Southend United 1 (Andy Thomson 47) Wycombe Wanderers 2 (Kevin Scott 6, 84) – League Division Two
9th December 1997 – Southend United 0 Wycombe Wanderers 1 (Mark Stallard 43) – Auto Windscreens Shield first round
2nd September 1997 – Wycombe Wanderers 4 (Mark Stallard 10, 90, John Cornforth 44, Paul Read 59) Southend United 1 (Jeroen Boere 43) – League Division Two
Summary
Overall |
Matches: 3 Southend United wins: 0 Wycombe Wanderers wins: 3 Draws: 0 Southend United goals: 2 Wycombe Wanderers goals: 7 Biggest Southend United win: none Biggest Wycombe Wanderers win: 4-1 (Adams Park; League Division Two; 02/09/97) |
In The League |
Matches: 2 Southend United wins: 0 Wycombe Wanderers wins: 2 Draws: 0 Southend United goals: 2 Wycombe Wanderers goals: 6 Biggest Southend United win: none Biggest Wycombe Wanderers win: 4-1 (Adams Park; League Division Two; 02/09/97) |
At Roots Hall |
Matches: 2 Southend United wins: 0 Wycombe Wanderers wins: 2 Draws: 0 Southend United goals: 1 Wycombe Wanderers goals: 3 Biggest Southend United win: none Biggest Wycombe Wanderers win: 2-1 (League Division One; 28/12/97) |
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com