GK Darryl Flahavan | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 1 | Rating: 6 |
Apart from a short ten-minute spell where Bristol Rovers threathened to possibly take the lead in the tie Flahavan did not have an awful lot to do. He did not make any fantastic saves, nor did he need to although the Bristol Rovers goal scored by Richard Walker Flahavan could do little about. Flahavan did have three scares late on. Firstly he appeared to have been lobbed by Craig Disley, however as Darryl was scurrying backwards he and the rest of the crowd realised the ball was heading over the bar. Flahavan also had a shot sent wide of his left-hand post. He would not have got to the shot and hearts were in the mouths of Southend players and fans alike. Lastly Flahavan showed one of his weaknesses where he attempted to claim a ball that was hoisted into the penalty area. Darryl appeared to be caught in two minds as whether to punch or to catch the ball and ended up dropping the ball. Thankfully Disely was again guilty of failing to hit the target. |
RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 9 |
One of, if not the best performances for Hunt in an Southend shirt. He started the game as he meant to go on. Hunt, found himself in an attacking position and put a great low ball into the path of Lawrie Dudfield. Dudfield miskicked and the ball was cleared. However it was only minutes later that Hunt found himself in a similar position, this time he opted to find Dudfield’s head and in doing so assisted the first Southend goal of the evening. Hunt then went from strength to strength and used both his defensive and attacking abilities to show why Tilson has picked and stuck with him in the Right-back position. |
CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5 |
Cool, classy and composed was the story of Prior’s evening as his experience showed throughout the game. Prior showed his experience when dealing with pacy, yet controversial striker Junior Agogo. Agogo got very little from Prior all evening. Spencer looked as if he really wanted to get to a final in Cardiff. Prior’s control of the defense was very good and therefore Southend’s defence is currently, remarkably good. Bristol Rovers need to score two goals against Southend at Roots Hall in three weeks time and with Prior at the heart of the defence, I cannot see this happening. |
CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5 |
Although Barrett would have enjoyed the win, it was not an entirely successful return to Bristol for Barrett. The Southend local boy began the game struggling to deal with Agogo, a problem that defensive partner, Prior dealt with emmaculately. Barrett then gave a penalty away when he was adjudged to have fouled Disely by referee Richard Beeby. My first thought was that the awarding of a penalty was a correct decision however complaints from other players and fans told me otherwise. Television replays shows the incident to be inconclusive. Barrett though made very few mistakes defensively, it was just very unfortanant that he gave a penalty away. Aerially Barrett had two opportunities in the to head Southend into a two goal advantage however both were headed over the bar. |
LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8 |
It was a tidy performance from Che Wilson who was another returning to his former club. Wilson done the job he was asked to do as he has done for much of the season. Wilson’s performance from Saturday was far improved as he stuck to the task and kept calm at all times. Wilson was not a liability all night and found his men at all times. |
RM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5 |
Pettefer was another who picked his performance up from a relatively poor showing on Saturday. He was the unsung hero on the right hand side as he helped Hunt turn in a fantastic performance. Although Pettefer was not much of an attacking threat he kept it clean all night and tidied up in the defensive-midfield area when needed. Pettefer did fire a great shot in the side netting towards the end of the match which would have made the score 1-3 qand surely put the tie beyond Bristol Rovers. However Pettefer can be very happy with his performance in his third LDV Vans Trophy Area Final. |
CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5 |
Bentley continued his very good season with a very good performance, as he was the attacking driving force in the midfield. Bentley had a shot early on that was sent over the bar however it was his dribbling skills that caught the eye tonight. Bentley went on a number of mesmorising runs through the heart of the Bristol Rovers team. One down side of the evening was the caution that Bentley collected for persistent infringments. Bentley has now picked up seven cautions and if he gains ten cautions he will face a suspension, something Bentley and Southend could do without. |
CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 8.5 |
Maher returned to his ‘LDV best’ as his performance was reminisent of last years Area Final against Colchester. Fair enough, last year Maher was absoloutetly exceptional and I doubt that he will ever equal the performances that he turned in when he faced the old enemy but Maher did have a very good game. As ever, when Southend play well, Maher does as well and ‘Captain Fantastic’s’ passing was at it’s most effective and one of Maher’s simple passes gave Mark Gower the ball for his goal. Maher also held the game together and put very crucial tackles in when needed. Another point of interest was that Maher appealed referee’s decisions in the right manner with particular note to the penalty decision. Although Maher clearly did not agree with the decision, he did not lose his temper and therefore did not get cautioned at any point in the game. Earlier in the season frustration may of got the better of Captain Kev. |
LM Mark Gower | Minutes on pitch: 75 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5 |
WHAT A GOAL! and what a difference it could make to the tie. When Maher gave Gower the ball on the wing, most Southend fans expected Gower to cut in onto his right foot and hit a trademark shot however few expected a strike with the whip, dip and quality that Gower delievered. Even less expected the amazing celebrations that took place after the goal. You really have to see it to realise what a great strike it was and in three weeks time we may be looking back on that goal as one that got us to another National Final. Anyway, to Gower’s overall performance. As many expected Gower would be the creative influence in the team and he certainly was on the left wing. Gower offers Southend the extra-edge and it comes as no surprise that Southend scored two goals in one game having only scored one in the previous two. However it was only towards the end of his 75 minutes that Gower sparkled and Gower scored just as hw saw substitute Nicky Nicolau changing to come on. The goal certainly delayed the substitution! |
CF Tesfaye Bramble | Minutes on pitch: 81 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5 |
It was to the duisguist of many fans that Bramble took his place in the starting line up and left Shrimpers Trust travel supremo Chris Berry asking if we actually wanted to win the game and the competition. However most Southend fans seem to have selective memories as few remember the fantastic overheadkick against Luton Town nor the strikes this season against Boston or Colchester. Despite this, tonight Bramble was not very sharp nor did he look match fit. Bramble certainly did not show his international qualities this evening and was replaced by Wayne Gray nine minutes from time. |
CF Lawrie Dudfield | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 9.5 | ||
Motm: By far the best player on the pitch, Dudfield was absolutely exceptional and I am sure that most watching the game would agree. In my mind Dudfield has been a very good player in all his Southend games and possibly our most consistent striker and tonight he was rewarded for all his hard work with a goal and an exceptional performance. Dudfield’s goal appeared to be a well timed header however television replays showed the goal came off the side of his head. To be honest, who cares?
A little bit of luck for Dudfield for the goal, but the rest of the evening’s performance was pure hard work from Lawrie. He ran hard, chased everything and sprinted well when he had the ball often scaring the life out of defenders. Dudfield moved well on and off of the ball and this helped him get the better of the opposition all night. After being cup-tied for Cardiff last year Dudfield was up for the occasion and will now be hoping that the Shrimpers will be making their way to the Millennium Stadium two years running. |
LM Nicky Nicolau | Minutes on pitch: 15 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6 |
Only fifteen minutes on the pitch and Nicolau struggled to get into the game. Nicolau will be looking to improve on his performance in other games in order to regain his first team place. |
CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 9 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5 |
With only nine minutes on the pitch Wayne did not get his legs moving as quick as he would have liked. Maybe if he had of came onto the field earlier he looked as if he had the extra edge with his runs. Despite not having enough time on the field Gray will be hoping for a place in the starting line up on Saturday. |