Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Bart Griemink| Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 7.5

7.5 could be described as a very harsh mark of Bart Griemink as the Dutch custodian did not make a mistake all game. However ‘Bart Man’ had very little to do. Griemink has improved his kicking by a fair margin and was showing off his ability in the pre-match warm up with goalkeeping coach Lee Turner. Griemink continued to use his excellent kicking to great affect in the game finding muscular centre forward Tes Bramble on a number of occasions. Griemink was only called into real action late into the second half when he was sent flying to his right to pull of a great save from Rushden’s David Bell. Griemink was called into action once again, as the game neared it’s end, by Andrew Burgess as Bart tipped over the crossbar. Griemink’s great form seems to have continued into 2005 after his amazing end to 2004.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5

Hunt is slowly turning into the perfect full-back as he continues to contribute to all facets of the game. When Hunt signed at Southend, as cover for the defence, few would have believed that Hunt would be playing at right-back. However Hunt is ‘versatility personified’ having played in many positions across the midfield and defence and now seems to have found his position in the right side of defence. Linking up well with his fellow right sided player Pettefer, Hunt found ample space to produce the first goal for Kevin Maher. Hunt produced a quality cross that was headed out to Maher who then found the net. Having spent much of the first half of the season on the substitutes bench Hunt is well on his way to making the right-back position his own.

CB Andy Edwards | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

A performance from Edwards that, after his goal, left the Southend fan’s chanting his nickname ‘Eagle.’ Edwards, up against his former, employers, secured the three points with a simple tap in after Rushden keeper, Lee Worgan, parried to his feet. Although it was nice to see the veteran defender get on the score sheet, it was even better to see his defending improve. Although some of his balls, did end up in the stands, on the whole is distribution vastly improved. I particularly like the way Edwards hooks, the ball down the line rather than finding touch. Despite one misdirected pass back that resulted in a Rushden corner, Edwards gave very little away and can be pleased with his performance and clean sheet.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

It was a quite, yet effective performance from Barrett who contributed to the fourth clean sheet in five games for the Shrimpers. Barrett can take a lot of heart from the recent turn in fortunes for the defence as he shows more and more defensive line control. This can only be a great asset to the team as the former Bristol Rovers captain shows he is an old head on young shoulders, with commanding performances. Although Barrett did not show his usual guile with the ball when attacking he did find himself with a great chance in the first half as he shot wide of Worgan’s left hand post. In the air, Barrett will be disappointed having not got on the end of some fantastic set pieces and losing out on a number of occasions to Diamond’s forward Jason Taylor.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 8

Having been awarded the ‘Shrimpers Trust Player of the Month’ award prior to the match Wilson turned in another great performance being involved in the best attacking plays in the match. Linking up brilliantly with Nicky Nicolau on the left hand side Wilson assisted the final goal of the game for midfielder Mark Bentley. Wilson showed his now improved crossing ability as he got to the byeline before sending a ball onto Bentley’s head. Defensively Wilson done very little wrong, refusing to make mistakes, often choosing safety first option rather than slipping up. Yet again Wilson, stuck to the task and completes a very successful defensive quartet with another clean sheet to it’s name.

RM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Another ninety minutes were Blues fan’s could not fault the diminutive midfielder’s work rate as he scurried and battled for possession. Pettefer continues to make very good runs into space, thus forming good attacking opportunities. However, often, and especially today, Pettefer’s crossing ability lacked as many of his balls in found their way behind the goal line or into the goalkeeper’s hands. Although, finding his way into Tilson'

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8

Another sterling performance from Bentley who was rewarded with a goal for all his effort and hard work over the recent games. His goal game just into stoppage time as he stretched his head towards the ball and powered the ball passed Lee Worgan. Bentley’s performances have been brilliant of late and his endeavour and hard tackling continued today as he competed for every single ball. Bentley had been denied by the woodwork earlier on in the game as he chested the ball down before volleying exquisitely against the bar. To think that Bentley was playing part-time at non-league Dagenham and Redbridge this time last year is incredible as he is clearly one of the best players in the Southend team.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

MotM: Maher’s first fifteen minutes or so were not by any means his best as he gave the ball away on a number of occasions and made a terrible mess of what could have been a dangerous short corner. I thought we were going to see the sub-standard Maher we have seen in the previous two games. However seventeen minutes in to the game, the ball was cleared as far as Maher on the edge on the area and he struck a goal beautifully with his left foot. From that point Maher turned into the absolute sublime. Returning to his former glory with set pieces he provided the ball that lead to Andy Edwards goal and dominated the midfield. Spraying balls to all parts of the park Maher was faultless after his early game blips. Maher truly was ‘Captain Fantastic’ as he saw Southend close the gap to four points on the automatic playoff places.

LM Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 90 (subbed in stoppage time) | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

A surprise inclusion in Steve Tilson’s side, Nicolau made the most of his first start in the league since late August in a slightly unfamiliar position of left-midfield. The former Arsenal youth player was clearly up for the game and wants to keep his place in the team as he battled hard for every ball he could go for. As well as his battling ability, Nicolau showed the skill that would have seen him play at Arsenal, dribbling past right-back Graham Allen on a number of occasions. In addition, Nicolau whipped in a number of very good set pieces, in the form of both corners and free-kicks. Although these did not amount to any goals they proved very dangerous as Rushden struggled to clear them on a number of occasions. I would be very disappointed to see Nicolau dropped if Gower was fit for the trip to Kidderminster in two days time.

CF Tesfaye Bramble | Mins on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Another player who was a surprise starter, Bramble worked hard to win the ball in the air although he was often penalised by charismatic referee Trevor Parkes, who was officiating in place of appointed referee, Keith Hill. Bramble’s chance to steak a claim for a first team place came towards the end of the first half when Bramble, clean through on goal, struck the post. Although Bramble did not get his goal I am sure that he will feature as the season goes on, such is the quality of the Montserrat international.

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 80 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7

Dudfield will be gutted, not to have scored today as he was very close to a permanent first team place. However the Lawrie, who of course was infamously denied by the linesman’s flag in the previous game against Mansfield, continued to look sharp and using his pace looked very dangerous in the first half. Dudfield chased everything he could and pressured the Rushden defence, who often seemed to lack communication between the goalkeeper and defence. However Lawrie faded a little in the second half before being substituted with 10 minutes of the game left.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 10 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

A short spell for Gray today who was relegated to the subs bench with his striking partner Eastwood. Unlike Eastwood, Gray did get on the pitch and although trying his very best failed to make any real impression on the game.

LM James Lawson | Minutes on pitch: 0 (brought on in stoppage time) | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Making his debut, all be it a very short one, Lawson can be very proud of his achievement. Although only touching the ball on two occasions, Lawson has worked very hard in the reserve and youth teams over the years and deserves is appearance in the first team.