With Scunthorpe United losing tonight at Lincoln City, Steve Tilson’s side have a cushion between themselves and third and fourth positions – currently occupied by Swansea City and the Iron – and are just one point off of League leaders Yeovil Town, who entertain Notts County tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Should the Glovers not take full points in that encounter, you don’t need me to tell you where the Boys from Essex will be sitting on Friday night if Bristol Rovers are beaten at Roots Hall!
In excess of 2,000 success-sensing Southend supporters crammed into the Abbey Stadium, and they watched a side who had one change from the line-up which saw off both Cheltenham Town and Rochdale by 3-0 scorelines, with captain Kevin Maher returning from a two-match ban at the expense of the unlucky Alan McCormack.
It was a match which was slow to come to life, although the Blues did dominate the early possession on an impressive playing surface.
Cambridge however created the first opportunity on 17 minutes when Daniel Chillingworth’s run a 20 yard shot flew over Darryl Flahavan’s crossbar.
As the Shrimpers began to create openings of their own a fantastic run by Freddy Eastwood - who unfortunately could not equal Billy Hick’s record of scoring in eight consecutive matches – brought a neat cut-back which saw Wayne Gray’s shot blocked by Andy Duncan.
The lead arrived on 23 minutes though, Maher swinging a free kick into the area where Barrett’s header was pushed out by goalkeeper John Ruddy but only as far as Prior who was left with a simple task of tapping the ball home from a matter of yards. (0-1)
Cambrige though, despite their League position, kept battling and continued to create chances. Iwan Roberts’ low drive was easy picking for Flahavan but Shane Tudor’s zipping shot from the edge of the penalty area didn’t fly to far wide of the upright.
Southend found themselves very hard done by on 36 minutes when they were denied a stone-wall penalty when Gray, having burst through on goal, was virtually rugby-tackled to the floor by Adam Tann.
However, on the stroke of half time another Martin Johnson-esque tackle by Tann brought both a booking and a free kick, the latter of which saw Maher float into the box for that man Barrett to pop-up and nonchantly head in. (0-2)
Half-time: Cambridge United 0 Southend United 2
With the game effectively won, the second half was somewhat of a non-event as the massed ranks of visiting supporters comfortably saw their side hold on for another vital victory.
Three minutes after the interval a Che Wilson cross and then a second ball from Carl Pettefer saw Wayne Gray head over the top before only seconds later Tudor poked a shot off target following a neat lay-off by Matt Somner.
Eastwood’s best chance of equalling Hick’s 1920’s record came on 69 minutes. A great through-ball by Maher set the young frontman clear but his low shot was brilliantly pushed around the post by 17-year old shot-stopper Ruddy, who has already signed a contract to join Everton in the summer.
A Tudor cross was nodded off target by Roberts before the last aqction of the afternoon, three minutes from time saw Eastwood screw an effort off target after he had done all the hard work himself with a great solo run.
MATCH FACTS
CAMBRIDGE UNITED…(0) 0 SOUTHEND UNITED…(1) 2
Football League Division Three, Monday, 28th March 2005 @ Abbey Stadium
The U’s (amber and black, black, black; 4-4-2):- John Ruddy; Tom Newey, Dan Gleeson, Andy Duncan, Adam Tann; Justin Walker, Matt Somner, Ashley Nicholls, Shane Tudor; Iwan Roberts, Daniel Chillingworth.
The Shrimpers (all navy; 4-4-2):- Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Mark Bentley, Kevin Maher, Carl Pettefer, Mark Gower; Freddy Eastwood, Wayne Gray. Unused subs – Darren Blewitt, Michael Kightly, Nicky Nicolau, Alan McCormack, Craig Holloway.
Goals: Southend: Prior 23 (tapped in rebound; inside area; timed at 22:15), Barrett 45 (headed in free kick; inside area; timed at 45:25).
Bookings: Cambridge: Tann (45 – foul). Southend: None.
Sent-off: None.
Total Goal Efforts: Cambridge 11, Southend 13
Shots/headers on target: Cambridge 2, Southend 6
Shots/headers off target: Cambridge 6, Southend 3
Blocked shots: Cambridge 3, Southend 4
Hit Woodwork: Cambridge 0, Southend 0
Corners: Cambridge 5, Southend 5
Free Kicks: Cambridge 13, Southend 23
Caught Offside: Cambridge 1, Southend 3
Match Time:
First Half: 46:13. Second Half: 47:18. Total: 93:31.
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 1 minute (Actual: 01:13), Second Half: 2 minutes (02:18)
Referee: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire FA), 5 out of 10 (General Control 3/5, Application of Laws 1/3, Personality & Appearance 1/2)
Attendance: 6,715 (2,207 away fans)
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties. 