TLG Stat-Pack – The Shrimpers vs. The Quakers - Shrimpers24

Ex-Shrimper Barry Conlon invariably causes problems

The last time Southend United faced Darlington was in late September, and buoyed by their first point on their travels since January 2003, the Shrimpers played out a dour 0-0 draw against a team that had just thrashed Boston United 3-0. Indeed, the Quakers were nowhere near as prolific against Blues, failing to register a single effort on target as neither side looked capable of winning the first fixture between the teams at the Reynolds Arena.

The previous clash had seen the Seasiders emerge victorious, at Roots Hall, as two quick-fire goals handed United an April triumph over the Quakers. Kevin Maher and Neil Jenkins were the men to hit the target just before the interval as Darlington were surprised out of the game. Earlier that same season, a late Tesfaye Bramble strike failed to make up for a missed penalty earlier in the game as Darlo won 2-1.

Southend captain Maher, who misses tomorrow’s game through suspension, enjoys playing against the northerners, and in 2001/2 he netted along with Barrington Belgrave as Southend fought back from two-nil down to force an unlikely draw. Earlier in the campaign United had won a tight game 1-0 thanks to Mark Rawle, with Damon Searle ridiculously sent off in a tangle with ex-Shrimper Barry Conlon.

The one-time Manchester City and Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has often been the Seasiders’ nemesis, but he had not joined Darlo the last time they won at Roots Hall in August 2000. Instead it was a former Southend loanee, Lee Nogan, who put the nail in the coffin after Craig Liddle had opened the scoring on a 2-0 triumph.

Overall, though, Blues hold a 12-10 advantage over Darlington, and one of the Quakers three Roots Hall wins came in the League Cup in 1967. Southend have won seven of the fifteen ties in Essex, and although the majority have been close – the 3-0 win in August 1971 being an exception – they must feel as though they have a good chance tomorrow.

Last Meeting

Darlington	0-0 (Attendance: 4,369)	Southend United
	Nationwide League Division Three @ the Reynolds Arena on Tuesday 30th September 2003

Michael Price Ryan Valentine Joey Hutchinson Craig Liddle David McGurk Ian Clark Chris Hughes Clarke Keltie Ashley Nicholls Matthew Clarke Barry Conlon --	- - - - - - - - - - -	Darryl Flahavan Duncan Jupp Jamie Stuart Mark Warren Leon Cort Kevin Maher Leke Odunsi Mark Gower Jamie Fullarton Drewe Broughton Leon Constantine	7 7 7 7 7 7 6 8 7 6(65) 7
Michael Coghlan Fabien Bossy Danny Mellanby Mark Robson Mark Convery	- - - - -	Ryan Robinson Dave McSweeney Tesfaye Bramble Neil Jenkins Jay Smith	- - 7(65) - -

4 0 3 1 0 7 3 4	Total Goal Attempts Shots/Headers On Target Shots/headers Off Target Blocked Shots Hit Woodwork Free-Kicks Corners Caught Offside	12 6 6 0 0 15 3 0

Match Report By Mark Wallis
SOUTHEND United made it back-to-back away day draws at the impressive Reynolds Arena on Tuesday night, but it really should have been more against a poor Darlington side... Following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United, the Shrimpers made the massive trek up to County Durham and the huge brand new 27,500 capacity home of Darlington, named after their renowned owner and chairman, George Reynolds. There is no doubt that it is an excellent venue, with marble fittings being most unusual, but this was the first match under floodlights at the new venue and it unveiled a huge flaw in the Stadium. The lights are simply appalling! The 100-strong band of travelling supporters were waiting for the illuminations to be turned up prior to kick-off, but when the lighting-up never came to fruition the two sides had to play under the worst lights in the Football League. Perhaps they had an influence on both sides as well as this really was a dire encounter, although unlike Saturday, Southend did start this match with two strikers; Drewe Broughton partnering Leon Constantine in attack in place of injured wide man Jim Corbett. David McSweeney, back from suspension, could only muster a place on the bench. Darlington, quite amazingly, didn't manage a single effort on target, although perhaps its just as well as under these lights it was impossible to read the numbers on the home teams shirts, and thus pinpointing them for a report would have been a nightmare! The Shrimpers were the only side to create any decent opportunities and the first of those arrived in just the fifth minute, a dangerous Constantine cross saw Broughton drive a half volley into the arms of ex-United trialist goalkeeper Michael Price. Mark Gower, enjoying one of his best games in a Southend shirt, shot just off target having been slipped through by Jamie Fullarton before Gower then tested Price from fully 35 yards. Gower had another goalbound effort pushed out by Price as half time loomed with the scoresheet blank. Unfortunately a dreadfully poor second period never threatened the ink on that paper although Kevin Maher did poke a low shot at Price following good work by Constantine on 74 minutes. Southend had two half-hearted penalty appeals with ten minutes remaining, firstly after Craig Liddle appeared to handle a Constantine cross and then when Ian Clark tripped substitute Tes Bramble. Unfortunately referee Mike Pike waved away the Shrimpers slight appeals. Bramble, looking the threat that he often does, twice shot wide after fine runs in the closing stages, but the match fizzled out into a dire goalless draw. However in out current plight, any point is a point and coming away from home is a bigger bonus.

Last Five Meetings

30^th September 2003 – Darlington 0 Southend United 0 – League Division Three

5^th April 2003 – Southend United 2 (Kevin Maher 40, Neil Jenkins 42) Darlington 0 - League Division Three

30^th November 2002 – Darlington 2 (Barry Conlon 37, Ashley Nicholls 87) Southend United 1 (Tesfaye Bramble 90) – League Division Three

19^th January 2002 – Darlington 2 (Paul Heckingbottom 37, Bobby Ford 58 [pen]) Southend United 2 (Kevin Maher 78, Barrington Belgrave 89) – League Division Three

11^th August 2001 – Southend United 1 (Mark Rawle 80) Darlington 0 – League Division Three

The Complete Head-to-Head Record

2003/4 – A0-0 (League)

2002/3 – H2-0 A1-2 (League)

2001/2 – H1-0 A2-2 (League)

2000/1 – H0-2 A1-1 (League)

1999/2000 – H1-2 A0-1 (League)

1998/9 – H2-1 A1-2 (League)

1984/5 – H1-1 A1-3 (League)

1980/1 – H1-0 A2-0 (League)

1977/8 – H2-0 A0-2 (League)

1976/7 – H0-0 A0-0 (League)

1971/2 – H3-0 A3-2 (League)

1970/1 – H0-0 A4-0 (League)

1969/70 – H2-0 A2-0 (League)

1968/9 – H1-1 A3-2 (League)

1967/8 – H2-2 A1-1 (League, H1-2 (League Cup)

Summary

Overall
Matches: 30 Southend United wins: 12 Darlington wins: 10 Draws: 8 Southend United goals: 36 Darlington goals: 34 Biggest Southend United win: 4-0 (Feethams; 3rd April 1971; Division Four) Biggest Darlington win: 3-1 (Feethams; 3rd April 1985; Division Four)

In The League
Matches: 29 Southend United wins: 12 Darlington wins: 9 Draws: 8 Southend United goals: 35 Darlington goals: 32 Biggest Southend United win: 4-0 (Feethams; 3rd April 1971; Division Four) Biggest Darlington win: 3-1 (Feethams; 3rd April 1985; Division Four)

At Roots Hall
Matches: 15 Southend United wins: 7 Darlington wins: 3 Draws: 5 Southend United goals: 19 Darlington goals: 11 Biggest Southend United win: 3-0 (20th August 1971; Division Four) Biggest Darlington win: 2-0 (26th August 2000; Division Three)

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com

TLG Stat-Pack – The Shrimpers vs. The Quakers

Last updated : 11 April 2004 By Robert Craven

Darlington

Southend United