Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Bart Griemink| Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 1 | Rating: 6.5

In fairness Bart had very little to do as Kidderminster recorded only two attempts on target, one of which reached the back on the net. Griemink found himself under very little pressure in the first half with Harriers coming close only through a lob, that found it’s way over the bar. Bart may have been at fault for the Kidderminster goal as the ball appeared to squeeze under his body. Television replays appear to confirm this thought. However after an excellent run from the Dutch stopper he is more than entitled to the odd mistake especially because the defence failed to clear the ball on a number of occasions.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Pettefer and Hunt continued to link up well until the 41st minute when Pettefer was forced into the central midfield. In this period Hunt found a lot of room outside of Pettefer although it was not always used to the best of it’s ability. Although when he came on Bramble, played very well, he did not have the same connection with Hunt and therefore Hunt struggled to effect the game in attacking phases. In the second half Hunt appeared to struggle under the pressure that Kidderminster applied and, like many others, failed to clear the ball when he was required to. Hunt also got dubiously cautioned when he was found guilty of dissent by action. Firstly there was minimal contact to warrant the free kick being given and secondly Hunt barely moved his arms in anger as a show of dissent.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Prior, back from illness, was promoted from the substitutes bench in place of Andy Edwards. This was a curios decision from Tilson as Edwards had received good press after his goal against former club Rushden and Diamonds and looked set to continue his place in the starting line up. However Prior is a quality act and the decision was more than justified by Tilson. Back in the side, Prior as ever looked solid in defensive areas and had no problem re-establishing his force within the defence. ‘Spinner’ was again, commanding in the air and made few mistakes despite looking a little bit shaky when Southend were faced with intense pressure from the Harriers three prong attack. In attack Prior had one chance to head in a goal from a Nick Nicolau corner but his wildly miscued his effort into the stands.

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

Barrett seemed a little shaky when he had the ball today. Rather than the normal, calm and collected Barrett with the ball, he often chose to put his foot through the ball rather than controlling. Not a major problem though, as Barrett was solid as ever and not much got passed him. One particular tackle springs to my mind when he slid in hard on Blair Sturrock to prevent any further attack.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Probably the best of all the defenders today, which is a sharp contrast to any comment that would have been made at this time last year. Wilson has immensely improved his game, especially his defensive side, and hopefully this will continue for the considerable time as his game is very influential to the team. His defensive side of the game was shown to be improved with his great blocks and clearances.

RM/CM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7

Starting in his now excepted position of right midfield Pettefer continued to move into good positions along with right-sided player Lewis Hunt. The right side of Southend’s play impressed greatly in the first half where The Shrimpers done most of the attacking. However on forty-one minutes Pettefer was forced to move into the central midfield when Mark Bentley was forced off injured. In the second half Southend looked a little lost in the midfield and got taken over frequently sometimes to the blame of Pettefer. However in the final ten minutes of the game the midfield and Pettefer in particular turned very good and saw Southend to a great victory. Pettefer assisted the final goal for Freddy Eastwood when he drew keeper, John Danby, leaving an open header for Eastwood.

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 41 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Bentley was limited to only forty-one minutes on the field of play as he was forced off injured. Bentley’s injury was created as he steamed into another tackle only to pick up a knock around his knee. Bentley appeared to be in some discomfort and first team physiotherapist, John Stannard, confirmed this thought as he told the management team that Bentley would be unable to continue. However Bentley warrants this particularly high mark as his commanded the midfield, challenging for a number of balls many would have given up. When Bentley departed it coincided with Southend being over-run in the middle of the park and therefore Bentley was sorely missed.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Maher began the match very similar to the way he ended the previous game against Rushden and Diamonds. His passing was sublime and it looked as if it was going to be another very successful afternoon for the Southend captain. However, in the second half the midfield was over-run and like Pettefer, Maher must take a lot of responsibility for the constant pressure that was placed on the Southend goal. It was a satisfactory performance from Kevin Maher.

LM Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

MotM: Nicolau produced another fantastic performance for Southend and today was warranted with the man of the match award. For the first time in his Southend career, since joining, on loan at the time, from Arsenal, Nicolau scored a goal for Southend. It was a truly fantastic strike as he bulleted a shot into the top corner of the Kidderminster net, to send the Shrimpers into a two one lead and the fans into ecstasy. Not only did Nicolau score, but he showed great skill, pace and passing ability, all of the attributes needed to be a midfielder.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5

A fantastic first half from Gray who won Southend the crucial free-kick that Freddy Eastwood used to produce a lead. Therefore Gray is credited with an assist. As ever Gray ran hard and done a lot of the work as his wide runs created space for others. Although he continued to do this in the second half, a lot came to no avail as Southend spent much of the half defending. Although his performance faded in the second half Gray still had a good game and will feel that a goal is on its way as he has not scored for a while.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 90 (substituted in stoppage time) | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Two goals from Eastwood but I still feel the need to criticise Southend’s leading scorer. Eastwood appeared to give up a lot in the second half as he looked as if he thought the game was won when Southend had just a one goal lead. He should have passed when he chose to keep the ball and lost possession quite frequently. However before the first and after the second goal of the match Eastwood was a man on a mission. He took his first goal very well, smashing a twenty-yard free kick into the bottom corner of the net. It was especially nice to see a goal from a Southend free kick as supporters have seen so many wasted over previous months. Eastwood’s second goal was a well taken, if a little easy header as he latched on to Pettefer’s perfect cross. I had mixed feelings on Eastwood as I found it hard to criticise a player who had scored two goals, but most knew Eastwood could have played better.

RM Tesfaye Bramble | Minutes on pitch: 37 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7

Due to injury Bramble had a short spell, as he replaced Mark Bentley in the 41st minute and was replaced by Lawrie Dudfield in the 78th minute. However Bramble’s short stay on the field allowed the Montserrat international to show sharpness of the feet and create a few half chances for the strikers. Again Bramble was playing in his unfamiliar wide position (although this is increasing in familiarity) and Bramble done his chances of future first team appearance no harm. However I expect Bramble to make reserve appearances this month, most probably in the re-arranged Essex Senior Cup fixture between Blues Twos and Canvey Island on 18th January.

CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 12 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 7.5

Although only appearing on the field for twelve minutes Lawrie again made one hell of an impression. Unfortunately for Dudfield he come on just before Harriers had scored but the former Hull City man chased everything and was rewarded with an assist as he knocked the ball into Nicolau for the goal. Dudfield was undoubtedly a game changer for Southend and although he didn’t score I am sure he will be happy for his excellent contribution to the team. Unfortunately for Dudfield I think he will find himself playing football outside of the first team as Eastwood and Gray continue their great rapport.

CB Andy Edwards | Minutes on pitch: 0 (Brought on in stoppage time) | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: -

Edwards came on in stoppage time with the game completely finished. I think Edwards played on the right side of midfield although I cannot recall him touching the ball. Therefore I have not given Eagle a mark as it would be completely unfair to mark a player who has had no impression on the game. Edwards highlight of the match was responding with hand signals to Blues fans chants of ‘Eagle, Eagle what’s the score, Eagle…!’