Craven's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Bart Griemink | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 6.5

It was probably a surprise for many that the Dutchman was back between the sticks – except those of you who clicked onto TLG yesterday morning to look at our preview. Flahavan failed to recover from his heel injury, but Griemink did an able job as his deputy, and will now claim the spot for himself. The Bart-man could be blamed for Leo Roget’s header onto the bar as he failed to commit himself, but then Flavs would have made the same mistake, and then allowed another effort to hit the post a 1-0, but he did come well for a number of crosses, and his distribution in terms of throwing out was spot-on.

RB Duncan Jupp | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Right-back Jupp came straight back into the side after his LDV rest, and the time away from the side seemed to do him good. He continually denied Tommy Mooney with a number of deft flicks and turns, many of which in the past have failed to come off. He made one slip up to allow Steve Basham a run on goal in the second half, and was reprimanded by Spencer Prior, but recovered to provide a series of excellent passes (somewhat out of character) for Gower and Bentley down the right.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Solid display from another who has come under fire in the past couple of weeks, although in truth maybe the ‘old heads’ of Mooney and Bradbury were easier for the experienced centre-half to deal with than the new kids on the block for the likes of Northampton and Yeovil. Spinner knows every trick in the book, and he managed to give a good account of himself. Reaction when Eastwood netted, turning to the bench and saying, “How the f**k does he do that?” was priceless.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Yet another goal for the newly-crowned League Two Player of the Month from the Professional Footballers’ Association. This time it was an imperious header from a Maher corner, as he attempts to keep close to Freddy Eastwood in the race to become Southend United’s top goalscorer this season. Steady at the back as well as he marshalled the three-pronged attack of Mooney, Bradbury and Basham with aplomb.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

There is always an argument that Wilson could be replaced by a better player, and to a certain extent that is true. But defensively, even on his ‘wrong’ side, he is capable, and he showed that this afternoon with a couple of magnificent saving tackles in the penalty area against Mooney which prevented the big man getting through. Otherwise pretty innocuous, but there was less danger from his side this afternoon than there was against the Shrews with Nicolau.

RM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5

Spent the first half being rather innocuous, keeping away from the ball rather then helping to build attacks. However, came to light within seconds of the restart as he crossed after Gray had a shot saved by Judge and set up Mark Gower for the first goal. From then on was involved in everything down the right, also cutting inside to form a midfield three at times.

CM Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

The ex-Derby County man was outstanding in the centre of the park as he battled hard to make sure that the Shrimpers remained in the ascendancy. Hunt, as everyone knows, is very good defensively in the centre of the park, but somehow he has managed to mould himself into a box-to-box player, and he is making it very difficult for Steve Tilson to drop him. Made a number of fine challenges, consistently winning the ball for Maher, and even had a couple of pot-shots on goal.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7

Skipper Maher was good in the middle of the park. He didn’t do too much, but rarely made a mistake, and ensured that Southend’s engine room sprayed the ball around. Games like this just help Maher to really establish himself – he seems to be learning how to captain the side, and a few more of these sort of games rather than topsy-turvy efforts in the past will enforce Tilson’s opinion of the midfielder.

LM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 74 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

MotM: Gower was one of two sparks that inspired Blues to victory. He was constantly available, rather than trying to stay away from the ball when he did not want it, and although he turned his back on play once or twice, his energy was much better than throughout much of his Southend career. Also grabbed that all-important goal as he slashed home from close range, but this was the sort of chance that he has messed up in the past - but with four goals in his last five home games he now has the confidence to smash it straight in. A number of crosses in the first half deserved better reward.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Mins on pitch: 85 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

This is the sort of game for which Eastwood was bought. For about an hour, he looked out-of-sorts. His first touch was heavy, he tried to do too much, and the flicks didn’t find Wayne Gray, his strike partner. Then, something clicked with fifteen minutes left and Southend lucky to be 1-0 up after the U’s had hit a post. Freddy surged through about five men in the centre of the park, but back onto his left foot and curled the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net that comedy ‘keeper Judge had no chance with, but Gianluigi Buffon would similarly have flapped at. Says it all when a man of Prior’s experience at a high level can’t believe it. That moment won Southend the match.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 85 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Gray again did all the donkey work whilst others took the plaudits. Had a good game, did an awful lot of running and never gave up on the ball, but just didn’t get that opportunity to smash into the net. Perhaps missed his best chance in the run-up to Gower’s opener, but Judge actually made a good save on that occasion.

RM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 16 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Out on the right it was unlikely that Bentley would make a difference, but what he added was an extra man to keep an eye on Mark Rawle, who didn’t get a kick, and he was able to add more steel to an already tough midfield. Also took the attention away from the substitution of Mark E’Beyer for Rawle, which stopped the negative booing of the crowd.

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 5 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Stroked home the penalty kick that he himself had won with a fine run, and made sure that the ‘keeper had no chance with it. Other than that, linked up well with Bramble, proving that Blues have two capable striking partnerships.

CF Tesfaye Bramble | Minutes on pitch: 5 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

No goal for Bramble, but he too was scythed down when clean through and earned a free-kick, and as already mentioned linked well with Dudfield.