Watford striker Foley made his move to Roots Hall last Monday, and moves immediately into the side as Newman tries to plug the gap left by eleven-goal top-scorer Tesfaye Bramble. Bramble begins a three-game suspension, but would have missed out anyway since he faces two-and-a-half weeks without aggravating contract lens problems. So far this season Blues have failed to win any of the Nationwide League encounters that Bramble has not been involved in, but the tall Irishman will be hoping to change things. 
His partner up front is less certain. Mark Rawle has been in fine form over the past month, himself taking his tally to nine for the current campaign, but former Norwich City frontman Barrington Belgrave scored one and made the other goal in the 2-2 home draw with Bristol Rovers last weekend, and his exclusion would be tough on the 22-year-old. Mark Salter had a decent reserve game on Wednesday afternoon, and completes Newman’s attacking options with Graeme Jones still missing with ligament damage.
In defence, matters are much more clear-cut. On aspect of the team’s performance that has improved immensely over the past month has been the back-line, although they were caught out against Scunthorpe United in a 4-1 thrashing and last week’s draw. Darryl Flahavan has settled back into the starting line-up, and will stand behind a settled back four. Daryl Sutch has been a consistent performer in his month-and-a-half spell at the Hall, and should continue at right-back despite the excellent performance of Mark Beard in a more central position in mid-week. Damon Searle is producing some of his best football in the left-back position, and continues to rightfully keep Neil Jenkins out of the side.
In the centre of the defence, Leon Cort remains the rock around which a firm foundation can be based, and he should be joined once again by Tottenham Hotspur loanee Stephen Kelly. The young Irishman has looked cool and composed throughout his two-game period with the Seasiders, but he has little competition for his place. Tom Jordan remains little more than a reserve team regular, whilst Stephen Broad, who is nearing a return from a hernia operation, still looks unlikely to feature in Monday evening’s Essex Senior Cup Semi-Final against Chelmsford City. Phil Whelan continues to have problems with his knee and Dave McSweeney will face another fortnight on the sidelines after slipping on his garden wall and spraining his ankle.
The midfield four also has few disputes. Kevin Maher and Jay Smith have produced a string of excellent displays between them since the turn of the year, and the former Spurs and S-Pulse reserve team captain Stuart Thurgood backs them up in case of late complications. Daniel Marney’s loan deal from Brighton & Hove Albion is completed after the Red Dragons clash, but boss Newman is keen to retain his services for another month. Steven Clark has launched an incredible revival since being reinstated into the team on the left wing, and he should carry on in the same vein tomorrow. Assistant boss Steve Tilson stands by, along with Jenkins.
Southend’s opponents have made a late signing in time for the Racecourse Ground fixture. Defender Scott Green was a team-mate of current Blues boss Rob Newman in his short spell at Wigan Athletic, but he has moved to the Welshman on the eve of tomorrow’s fixture for the remainder of the season having had his contract at the JJB Stadium terminated by mutual consent. The rest of the Wrexham side almost picks itself, the team that were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth seven days ago being almost the only sixteen players available to gaffer Denis Smith.
Wrexham left Roots Hall with all three points courtesy of Stephen Thomas’ strike after Flahavan had spilled an Andy Morrell shot. Yorkshire-born Morrell will be the key man again tomorrow, having netted 21 times already this season, and his partner Lee Trundle will also pose a threat. Son of Manchester United manager Sir Alex, Darren Ferguson provides the emphasis from midfield, whilst another former Red Devils player Brian Carey is the club captain. Southend have not defeated Wrexham since January 12th 1990, when they triumphed 2-1 at Roots Hall. The last time Blues tasted a victory on Welsh soil was in late November 1984, so hopefully Newman will inspire another end to a poor run away from home this season after the seventy-year F.A. Cup away hoodoo was laid to rest. It will not be easy, the Red Dragons having taken nine points from their last four matches as they stand on the verge of the all-important play-offs.
SQUAD DETAILS
The Little Gazette Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Daryl Sutch, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Damon Searle; Daniel Marney, Jay Smith, Kevin Maher, Steven Clark; Dominic Foley, Mark Rawle.
Full Southend United Matchday Squad: Darryl Flahavan, Danny Gay, Daryl Sutch, Mark Beard, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Tom Jordan, Damon Searle, Neil Jenkins, Daniel Marney, Jay Smith, Kevin Maher, Stuart Thurgood, Steve Tilson, Steven Clark, Barrington Belgrave, Mark Rawle, Mark Salter, Dominic Foley.
Wrexham (from): Andy Dibble, Kristian Rodgers, Stephen Roberts, Brian Carey, David Lawrence, Carlos Edwards, Jim Whitley, Scott Green, Shaun Pejic, Darren Ferguson, Stephen Thomas, Lee Jones, Paul Edwards, Shaun Holmes, Lee Trundle, Andy Morrell, Hector Sam.
OFFICIALS
Referee: Peter Walton (Winwick)
Assistant Referees: Gary Stott (Manchester), Mark Weaver (Birmingham)
Having been fortunate to have had a couple of the Third Division’s more lenient officials in recent weeks, Mr. Peter Walton of deepest, darkest Northamptonshire is much more of a whistle-blower. In his only Southend match of the current campaign, he managed to book three players in the 1-0 victory over York City at the Hall. He is, however, rather well-respected in the Football League panel’s eyes, taking charge of his fair share of F.A. Cup matches and the LDV Vans Trophy Area Semi-Final between Brentford and Cambridge United. Walton has managed 32 matches so far this season, booking 87 and sending off three. Last year he ended up with 13 red cards to his name, including Karl Munroe of Macclesfield Town for a second bookable offence in the Silkmen’s 3-0 defeat to the Shrimpers. The year before ten players were booked in two games involving United, and over 400 players have been booked in his past four seasons. Indeed, this year he is again on course for a century, with red cards approaching double figures yet again.
TEAM FORM
Southend United 2 (Belgrave 36, Maher 76) Bristol Rovers 2 (Barrett 51, Street 56). Line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Daryl Sutch, Leon Cort, Stephen Kelly, Damon Searle; Daniel Marney (Mark Salter 57), Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Steven Clark; Mark Rawle, Barrington Belgrave. Subs not used: Danny Gay, Mark Beard, Stuart Thurgood, Tom Jordan.
AFC Bournemouth 2 (Feeney 52, 55) Wrexham 0. Line-up: Andy Dibble; Jim Whitley, Stephen Roberts, Brian Carey, David Lawrence, Carlos Edwards; Darren Ferguson, Stephen Thomas (Lee Jones 57), Paul Edwards; Andy Morrell (Hector Sam 47), Lee Trundle. Subs not used: Kristian Rodgers, Shaun Pejic, Shaun Holmes.
Current Form
Southend United:
D2-2 (home; Bristol Rovers; Belgrave, Maher)
W3-0 (home; Hull City; Smith 2, Rawle)
L1-4 (away; Scunthorpe United; Smith)
W2-1 (home; Oxford United; Rawle, Bramble)
W1-0 (home; Rochdale; Bramble)
Wrexham:
L0-2 (away; AFC Bournemouth)
W2-0 (away; Oxford United; Morrell, Lawrence)
W2-1 (home; Scunthorpe United; Morrell, Trundle)
W2-1 (home; Torquay United; Morrell, Carlos Edwards)
L1-3 (home; Macclesfield Town; Trundle)
Southend United Away Form:
L1-4 (Scunthorpe United; Smith)
W1-0 (Shrewsbury Town; Smith)
L0-1 (Carlisle United)
D1-1 (Cambridge United; Rawle)
L1-3 (Torquay United; Bramble)
Wrexham Home Form:
W2-1 (Scunthorpe United; Morrell, Trundle)
W2-1 (Torquay United; Morrell, Carlos Edwards)
L1-3 (Macclesfield Town; Trundle)
L0-2 (Kidderminster Harriers)
D0-0 (Hull City)
2002/3 SEASON
Southend United (Overall [Away]):
League:
Played: 31 [15]
Won: 13 [5]
Drawn: 3 [2]
Lost: 15 [8]
Scored: 36 [16]
Conceded: 40 [23]
GD: -4 [-7]
Points: 42 [17]
Position: 13th [11th]
F.A. Cup:
Second Round – Lost to Bournemouth (a) 2-3 (replay)
League Cup:
First Round – Lost to Wimbledon (h) 1-4
LDV Vans Trophy:
First Round – Lost to Swindon Town (a) 1-6
Wrexham (Overall [Home]):
League:
Played: 29 [14]
Won: 12 [6]
Drawn: 10 [4]
Lost: 7 [4]
Scored: 44 [22]
Conceded: 36 [19]
GD: 8 [3]
Points: 46 [22]
Position: 8th [15th]
F.A. Cup:
First Round – Lost to Darlington (h) 0-2
League Cup:
Second Round – Lost to Everton (h) 0-3
LDV Vans Trophy:
Area Quarter-Final – Lost to Carlisle (a) 0-2
THE HISTORY
Last Meeting:
Southend United 0 Wrexham 1 (Thomas 40). Southend United line-up: Darryl Flahavan; Mark Beard, Stephen Broad, Leon Cort, Damon Searle; Tony Scully, Kevin Maher, Jay Smith, Neil Jenkins (Mark Salter 75); Barrington Belgrave, Graeme Jones (Steven Clark 61). Subs not used: Danny Gay, Dave McSweeney, Ian Selley.
Last Five Meetings:
2nd November 2002 - Southend United 0 Wrexham 1 (Thomas 40) - Third Division
2nd May, 1998 - Southend United 1 (Boere 12) Wrexham 3 (Ward 43, 86, Connolly 72) - Division Two
21st Oct, 1997 - Wrexham 3 (McGregor 60, Kelly 65, Connolly 87 [pen]) Southend United 1 (Rammell 22) - Division Two
12th Jan, 1990 - Southend United 2 (Crown, Cook) Wrexham 1 (Buxton [pen]) - Division Four (old)
26th Aug, 1989 - Wrexham 3 (Jones, Buxton [pen], Thackeray) Southend United 3 (Prior, Crown, Bennett) - Division Four (old)
The Complete Season-By-Season Record:
2002/3 – H0-1 - League
1997/8 – H1-3, A1-3 - League
1989/90 – H2-1, A3-3 - League
1986/7 – H0-3. A0-4 - League
1985/6 – H3-0, A0-0 - League
1984/5 – H0-1, A2-1 - League
1982/3 – H2-2, A2-3 - League
1975/6 – H2-1, A2-2 - League
1974/5 – H1-1, A1-1 - League
1973/4 – H1-1, A1-5 - League
1972/3 – H0-1, A2-4 - League
1969/70 – H1-0, A0-4 - League
1968/9 – H1-0, A3-3 - League
1967/8 – H3-1, A1-4 - League
1966/7 – H1-1, A0-2 - League
1963/4 -H1-1, A3-1- League
1962/3 – H2-0, A1-1 - League
1959/60 – H1-1, A1-3 - League
1958/9 – H4-1, A1-3 - League
1949/50 – H2-0, A2-2 - F.A. Cup
Summary:
Overall Record:
Southend United 11
Wrexham 15
Draws 13
League Record:
Southend United 10
Wrexham 15
Draws 12
At The Racecourse Ground:
Southend United 2
Wrexham 10
Draws 7
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com