v 
SHRIMPERS
No top scorer Lee Barnard and midfield terrier Alan McCormack, both serving one match suspensions for reaching five yellow cards.
There is some good news in that Freedman and Scannell survived training and will be included in the squad. Expect them to start!
By then we will know if Uncle Ron has handed over the cheque and the travelling faithful will be happy seeing the heroes actually playing, let alone going into the draw for the second round.
If the eleven below actually start it's a competitive team with Dougie Freedman dropping back while Damien Scannell and Francis Laurent can cause havoc up front.
Christophe will have a lot of work in central midfield but young Stuart O'Keefe looked tidy enough when coming on as an early sub up at Carlisle and I'm sure he'll not let anybody down.
Still, considering what has gone on over the last fortnight, I will be more than happy with a draw and a replay back at Roots Hall.
Possible Southend United: Mildenhall, Francis, Grant, Barrett, Herd, Laurent, Christophe, O'Keefe, Moussa, Walker, Freedman.
Subs: Joyce, Scannell, and half the youth team, hope they can get from London to Kent in time.
OPPOSITION
No injury problems reported so expect a similar side to the one that finished the last minute defeat in Southend, where ex-Blues Captain Kevin Maher came on as a 71st minute sub and could start this time around.
However, one new player will be striker Febian Brandy, on loan from Premiership champions Manchester United.
Gills boss Mark Stimson certainly expects him to make his mark, lining him up with the Kent based side's best player at the Hall last week, 11-goal leading scorer Simeon Jackson.
Stimson told www.kentonline.co.uk: "Hopefully he can link up with the other little man (Jackson). Some people will be surprised that we'll have two tiny players up top but if we can get the ball into their feet they are both very capable of creating something. He's got pace and flair and certainly a good touch, playing for someone like Manchester United you need to have that."
Here's the local view on the game from a week ago:
Southend United 1 Gillingham 0
It was just a humble Pukka Pie, as much a part of match day as the ball itself for football fans, but last night it was just about the only thing that was alright on the night.
We departed Tunbridge Wells at 4.30 p.m., judging the time to leave by virtue of the club's coach departure time and the sat nav which informed us that we would be reaching our destination at 5.40 p.m., plenty of time to park up, fish and chips and take our places in the charismatic (sarcasm) away end at Roots Hall.
The first hint that there might be trouble ahead was on the way to Tunbridge Wells from my house when the pretend, she was so hopelessly wrong, she could not have been a real traffic presenter on Radio Kent. There was to be a half-hour delay at the Dartford Tunnel, if so, this would be just a minor irritation arriving at just after six.
As soon as we hit the back of the queue my brother confidently, and correctly, remarked that this was going to be a delay for much longer than 30 minutes. We sat, we inched forward, we stopped again, 15 minutes passed by and the wheels didn't turn a circumference.
Eventually, as we paid our £1.50 for the privilege, nearly two hours had passed to travel four miles and the chances of making it for kick-off time had all but disappeared, and to add insult to injury I was absolutely desperate for a pee!
The problem with a jam at the Tunnel is that there is nowhere to go, you can't even give up and go home as the traffic was backed up over the bridge for as far as the eyes could see. The other side of the tunnel was barely moving, but 20 m.p.h. is better than stationary. Eventually a hard shoulder on the A13 offered relief to one problem and we desperately tried to make up the time for kick off.
We actually drove past the ground with about five minutes to spare, but when you arrive so late car parking spaces are at a premium and 15 minutes were then wasted finding somewhere to spend £5 for a place, a good 10 minutes walk away.
So it was after 8 o'clock when we sat down in our seats, three and a half hours to travel a mere 53 miles. Once, admittedly after super traffic free run, we got back from Old Trafford after an England game in 3 hours 50 minutes that was 250 miles.
What happened in the first 15 minutes, you will need to read the official report, evidently both goalkeepers made saves but the game was still goalless as we tried to settle into the match.
No sooner had we sat down, we were on our feet cheering Gillingham's first goal as a John Nutter free kick nestled in the bottom corner. Inevitably on a night destined for ill fortune the referee saw fit to disallow it, we read later for an Andy Barcham push or shirt pull in the wall.
The referee went on to make a complete arse of himself with some bizarre bookings for both sides leading up to the break. Simon Royce and Nutter managed to scramble the ball to safety in the only clear opportunity of our half hour first half.
As the second half unfolded it was blatantly obvious that the winner would be only the better of two pretty poor sides. An oddball decision on the hour gave Gillingham an opportunity to open the scoring.
An indirect free kick was awarded, was it for a back pass, obstruction, I don't know, only seven yards from goal. The ball was tapped for Mark Bentley to blast over the bar; it did seem from that distance the most unlikely result.
More and more bookings followed as the referee decided that the stage was his and as the game entered injury time we at least thought that our traumatic night was going to end with only the second point of our travels.
How cruel this game can be. A long ball into the box was headed back into the centre where Lee Barnard had a virtual open goal to smash his shot into. Cue exit.
So where does the pie come into this? There was a queue (where wasn't there last night?) for the food. The burgers had run out and the pies were disappearing from the hot cabinet. As I reached the counter, there were just two remaining, one went and I had the other, the last one. It was so hot, it took the roof of my mouth away, it was one of those nights.
Southend: Mildenhall, Herd, Francis, Cristophe, Barrett, Grant, McCormack, Laurent, Moussa, Walker, Barnard. Subs not used: O'Keefe, Joyce, Asante, Whittaker, Okai.
Gillingham: Royce, Fuller, Nutter (Palmer 78mins), Gowling, Fry, Lewis, Bentley, Barcham, Weston, Oli (Maher 71mins), Jackson. Subs not used: Julian, Yussuff, Rooney, Payne.
Attendance: 7,830.
(Report by Baldangel on http://gillingham.clubfans.co.uk)
PREVIOUSLY
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GROUND
Priestfield Stadium has been virtually re-built since the current Chairman Paul Scally took over in 1995. In a corporate sponsorship deal with the Kent Reliance Building Society, the stadium has been renamed the KRBS Priestfield Stadium.
On one side of the ground is the impressive two tiered, Medway Stand, opened in 2000, with a row of executive boxes (the type which you can sit outside of) running across the middle. Opposite is the tidy all seater Gordon Road Stand. Unfortunately though, it contains a number of supporting pillars, which may hinder your view. This also has an unusual TV gantry perched on its roof.
The Rainham End, has also been re-developed, with a single tier cantilevered stand, which replaced a former terrace. It is an open all seated 'temporary stand' has been erected on what was the former Gillingham End terrace, it is hoped that this will be replaced with a permanent 3,200 seated stand at some point. This stand has been named the Brian Moore Stand in memory of the legendary commentator and lifelong Gills fan.
Away fans are housed in part of the Brian Moore Stand where around 1,500 supporters can be accommodated.
The stand is of the temporary variety i.e. the type that you would see around the 18th hole at the British Open Golf Championship, although it is of a good size and height, plus the views of the playing action are fine. Unlike most temporary stands though the facilities are surprisingly good, being of a permanent nature behind the stand. However it is uncovered, so although the Club hand out free rain macs if it rains, still be prepared to get wet!
One unusual aspect of visiting Priestfield Stadium is that away supporters have to walk down a very narrow terraced street to reach the away entrance, or if coming from adjacent streets down very tight alley ways. However, there is never normally any problems with this although after the game the Police sometimes close of some of the surrounding streets to keep fans apart.
WEATHER
Sunny Intervals and 11c's, perfect as we're in the open end!
REF
The man in the middle is Rob Shoebridge from Ripley, Derbyshire.
FIXTURES
F.A. Cup First Round
Friday, November 6th 2009; (all kick-offs 19.45): Bristol Rovers v Southampton, Huddersfield v Dag & Red, Notts County v Bradford City.
Saturday, November 7th, 2009; (all kick-offs 15.00 unless stated): AFC Telford v Lincoln City, Accrington Stanley v Salisbury, Aldershot v Bury, Barnet v Darlington, Barrow v Eastleigh, Bromley v Colchester(13.00), Cambridge Utd v Ilkeston Town, Carlisle v Morecambe, Chesterfield v Bournemouth, Forest Green v Mansfield, Gateshead v Brentford, Gillingham v Southend, Grimsby v Bath City, Hartlepool v Kettering, Hereford v Sutton Utd, Huddersfield v Dag & Red, Luton v Rochdale, MK Dons v Macclesfield, Northampton v Fleetwood Town, Nuneaton v Exeter, Oldham v Leeds United (17:15), Oxford Utd v Yeovil, R1, Paulton v Norwich (12:45), Port Vale v Stevenage, Rushden & D'mnds v Hinckley Utd, Shrewsbury v Staines Town, Stockport v Tooting & Mitcham, Stourbridge v Walsall, Swindon v Woking, Torquay v Cheltenham, Tranmere v Leyton Orient, Wrexham v Lowestoft Town, Wycombe v Brighton, York v Crewe.
Sunday, November 8th 2009: Burton Albion v Oxford City, 15.00, Northwich v Charlton, 13:30, Wealdstone v Rotherham, 15:00.
Monday, 9 November 2009: Millwall v AFC Wimbledon, 19:45.
BET
To Win:
Gillingham - 10/11, Draw - 12/5, Southend - 16/5.
By Train go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW5&id=469947
By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW3&id=470454
By Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW7&id=470960
PUB AND PIES
HISTORY
By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW3&id=470454
By Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW7&id=470960
PUB AND PIES
The ground is walkable from the town centre, where there are a fair few pubs to be found. Being the home of Shepherd and Neame brewers, well it has to be good for something, you can find the odd pub selling their excellent ales, the 'Beacon Court' in Canterbury Street is one.
The 'Will Adams' is in the good beer guide and does good cheap food. The 'Southern Belle' is opposite the railway station, which also has a cafe located next door. 'The Ship' is on the Lower Rainham Road. Away fans though should avoid 'The Cricketers' in Sturdee Avenue, especially wearing seventies style white coats, they may have long memories.
However there is the Livingstone Arms on Gillingham Road which is known as an 'Away Supporter' pub and is situated approximately 100 yards from the away turnstiles and there may be complimentary bar food laid on for fans. You could even visit the local chip shop, situated across the road, but as you would expect it gets rather busy on matchdays.
The 'Will Adams' is in the good beer guide and does good cheap food. The 'Southern Belle' is opposite the railway station, which also has a cafe located next door. 'The Ship' is on the Lower Rainham Road. Away fans though should avoid 'The Cricketers' in Sturdee Avenue, especially wearing seventies style white coats, they may have long memories.
However there is the Livingstone Arms on Gillingham Road which is known as an 'Away Supporter' pub and is situated approximately 100 yards from the away turnstiles and there may be complimentary bar food laid on for fans. You could even visit the local chip shop, situated across the road, but as you would expect it gets rather busy on matchdays.
HISTORY
Gillingham are the only Kent-based club in the Football League and play their home matches at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium.
The club was founded in 1893 and joined the Football League in 1920. They were voted out of the league in favour of Ipswich Town at the end of the 1937-38 season, but returned to it 12 years later after it was expanded from 88 to 92 clubs.
Twice in the late 1980s they came close to winning promotion to the second tier of English football, but a decline then set in and in 1993 they narrowly avoided relegation to the Football Conference.
Between 2000 and 2005, Gillingham were in the second tier of the English football league system for the only time in their history, achieving a club record highest league finish of eleventh place in 2002-03.
In the 2008-09 season, the club was promoted to Football League One after victory over Shrewsbury Town in the League Two play-off final.
For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillingham_F.C.