Craven's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals Conceded: 1 | Rating: 8

Quite easily the best performance Flavs has put in for the side since his return to action, though that was because the U’s managed to put more pressure on him than the average League Two attack. When Steve Tilson and his coaching staff reflect on the match as a whole, they will surely realise that it was his fingertip save from Neil Danns in the first half of stoppage time that allowed Blues to win through – a magnificent effort that kept the scoreline 1-1 when Southend could have been broken-hearted about not being ahead. Didn’t make a penalty save – with U’s skipper Wayne Brown screwing his effort wide, although Flahavan did guess the right way.

RB Duncan Jupp | Minutes on pitch: 83 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

It was noticeable that Colchester targeted Che Wilson rather than Jupp while he was on the pitch, and that much more came of their forays forward once he had been removed. It was his ‘foul’ in the right-hand corner that led to the hosts’ equaliser, although judging by the overall incompetence of the match officials – and it was the linesman who gave this one – the challenge may not have been worthy of a free-kick. Booked soon after, and his withdrawal from the side may have been a result of his perceived temper. While on field got forwards well to support Pettefer.

CB Andy Edwards | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Given his chance because Spencer Prior was rested, Eagle did exactly the right thing and put the pressure on Steve Tilson to recall his former central defensive partner. Edwards had a touch more speed than Prior, and indeed than he had had at the start of the season. His aerial ability remains vital, as it does with the ex-Manchester City defender, and his distribution seemed better than usual.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

This man just never, ever, stops. Again he had a very good game at the heart of the Southend back-line, and although for the second match in succession he didn’t look like scoring, he did his job at the back fantastically, and that is where Shrimpers supporters will want to view him most of the time. Made a couple of simply outstanding late tackles that won the ball when it appeared likely that a Colchester player was going to pull the trigger, and if there was a single high ball – goal excepted – that went into the box that Barrett did not head away, then I failed to see it!

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

The left-back really can’t like this competition. After enduring a nightmare in the Millennium Stadium final last season, he now got the run-around frm Neil Danns and Richard Garcia for the U’s. Admittedly, Danns is a right-sided midfielder who is on loan from Blackburn Rovers and Garcia is a former Australian Under-23 international, so we are talking about two rather impressive players, but Wilson struggled, and was caught out on a series of occasions. Redeemed himself with one extra time header that stopped Jamie Cade from getting a sight at goal.

RM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

Petts gave one of his more exhilarating displays on the right-hand side of the midfield. Whilst there is little doubt that he is not a natural winger and that he can struggle to get crosses into the penalty area, what cannot be doubted is his absolute dedication to the cause – if, as we believe, Mark Bentley is to miss the next three matches, then Pettefer would be an excellent choice to move into the middle. He made a couple of brilliant runs for someone who isn’t used to doing that, and the incident where he was tripped could well have been given as a penalty – it was only his honesty that ‘tricked’ referee Robinson.

CM Mark Bentley | Mins on pitch: 108 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

Bentley was outstanding throughout

If you saw this differently – and I’m particularly aiming this at any Colchester fans that may be reading this – please email at robertcraven173@hotmail.com because somewhere along the lines I must’ve misunderstood the rules – if a player dives in two-footed, studs-up, then surely that player should be penalised for dangerous foul play – not the other way around.

Now Blues miss Bentley for three matches – so far as we know Southend chief Steve Tilson cannot appeal – and that is an absolute travesty, especially in the form he is in. Yes, he missed a point-blank header five yards out in stoppage time at the end of normal time. Yes, he stuttered when bursting through believing he was offside.

But he also got into those positions, right up in the attacking third, and often as the Southend player furthest forward. He had one shot seconds before his dismissal when he fired in low and the effort was blocked. Two seconds later and he was making a saving challenge to stop the home side from hitting the Seasiders on the break. A true talent.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 5.5

Skipper Maher was one of those who stepped up to convert a penalty, but that confident, and it has to be said, best struck Kevin Maher dead-ball aside, the skipper was below par. It was easy to lose count of the amount of times that he surrendered possession, either when Blues were on the attack or in defence, and that simply is not good enough. In addition to that, seemed not to really get stuck in at all, in marked contrast to partner Bentley.

LM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 117 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 6

Off-key again for Gower, who so often is the spark in the side, but this time appeared to be a little lethargic. This was most noticeable whenever Colchester custodian Aidan Davison had the ball. When the veteran shotstopper was looking to get the ball out quickly, Gower should have had his face to play, and should have been ready to intercept, thus averting any break the U’s may have had. He did have one decent moment, setting up Bramble fortunately for his goal, and did open his box of tricks but in general he was poor.

CF Tesfaye Bramble | Mins on pitch: 93 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

Another welcome improved game from Tes, who was interested throughout and raised his game to the occasion. When he was substituted on 93 minutes it signalled an intent, not just on Tilson’s part to give Drewe a go and to change the style of play of the side, but also to keep Bramble fit for Darlington this Saturday. His goal was wondrous – a fizzing low drive that curled beautifully around the slowly lowering outstretched right glove of Davison, and no ‘keeper in the world would have saved it. He constantly ran at defenders, who knew not what to do. More of the same at the weekend please, Tes.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 120 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

The forward got that all-important first penalty into the back of the net but it was no more than he deserved for a much-improved display up front. Got the full two hours in, which must have done his confidence the world of good, and ran at and around people, most importantly Davison when he just failed to beat the near post and find the net from a very acute angle. Nonetheless just getting those shots in and receiving the applause of the Southend supporters will help him.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 37 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Hunt came on in an unfamiliar role, for Blues fans to see at any rate, on the right-hand side of defence, but did nothing to suggest that he will dislodge Duncan Jupp from that position permanently. Did nothing wrong, but was not the same attacking force as Juppwas and that meant more pressure from Joe Keith down the U’s left.

CF Drewe Broughton | Mins on pitch: 27 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

An extra time replacement for the excellent Bramble, Drewe was unable to offer that same energetic display, but he had an important job to do once Bentley had been sent off, and he performed the lone target man act rather well. Good penalty.

RM James Corbett | Minutes on pitch: 3 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Three minutes after coming on for Gower and Corbett didn’t even seem to touch the ball. But he did soon afterwards, striking home the winning penalty kcik with aplomb and sending Colchester out of the LDV Vans Trophy.