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Young striker Mark Salter came into the side to make his full Football League debut in place of Dominic Foley who has now returned to Watford following the end of his loan spell, regular frontman Marek Rawle was also absent with a hamstring injury.
Stuart Thurgood remained in midfield in place of groin injury victim Jay Smith whilst captain Kevin Maher also missed out with a knock, as a result Mark Beard returned to the side at right back with Daryl Sutch moving into midfield. Goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan deputised as skipper.
Such were Southend's injury problems that two youth team players, 19-year old Brett Darby and 16-year old Michael Kightly were named on the substitutes bench.
The match, played in blusterly condotions, was slow to come to life but when we were treated to the first real action, on eleven minutes, goalkeeper Flahavan did well to redeem himself, brilliantly saving from Marcus Richardson from close range after ex-Shrimper Mark Tinkler had seen a weak effort parried by the Southend custodian.
Then, just six minutes later debutant Salter was played through on goal, and his angled shot was pushed around the post by Welsh goalkeeper Anthony Williams. The resulting Damon Searle corner then brought a fine volley out of Thurgood who saw his shot cleared off the goalline by Michael Barron.
Flahavan did well to claim at the feet of Richardson following good work by Eifion Williams before Daniel Marney shot wide having been slipped through by Tes Bramble.
Tinkler headed a Tommy Widdrington free kick just wide, before Neil Jenkins saw saw a volley blocked.
Salter then shot at Williams before the home side took the lead on 36 minutes, Ritchie Humphreys, unmarked, shooting across Flahavan from 20 yards.
The second half, which was greatly dominated by Southend amazingly saw Hartlepool extend their lead just four minutes after the restart. Humphreys again finding space and he tapped home a low Darrell Clarke centre.
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Southend were denied what seemed to be a blantant penalty on the hour mark, when Barron, arm aloft, deliberately handled a a Jenkins shot. Bramble then side-footed a shot straight at Williams.
Southend pulled a goal when a dangerous Thurgood corner saw Leon Cort headed against the bar before Sutch headed in from close range.
Cort then headed a Thurgood freek kick against the bar but unfortunately the Shrimpers couldn't muster a late equaliser.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):- Anthony Williams; Michael Barron, Mark Robinson, Graeme Lee, Chris Westwood; Mark Tinkler, Tommy Widdrington, Darrell Clarke, Ritchie Humphreys (Paul Smith 74); Eifion Williams (Paul Arnison 90), Marcus Richardson (Kevin Henderson 69). Unused subs - Gordon Watson, Jim Provett.
SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Darryl Flahavan 6; Mark Beard 7, Damon Searle 7, Leon Cort 7, Stephen Kelly 8; Daryl Sutch 7, Stuart Thurgood 8, Daniel Marney 4 (Brett Darby 68, 8), Neil Jenkins 7; Tes Bramble 5, Mark Salter 7. Unused subs - Tom Jordan, Michael Kightly, David McSweeney, Daniel Gay.
TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Stuart Thurgood.
Despite a decent Southend performance nobody really shone, but the battling display of midfielder Thurgood probably wins him the man-of-the-match award. Never gave up and was as strong in the tackle as ever. An incredibly energetic player who will always give no less than 100 per cent.
MATCH STATS -NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE - Sat, 15 Mar.
Booked: Hartlepool: E. Williams (44 - persistant foul play). Southend: Thurgood (4 - kicking ball away)
Shots/headers on target: Hartlepool 7, Southend 7
Shots/headers off target: Hartlepool 4, Southend 8
Blocked shots: Hartlepool 1, Southend 4
Hit woodwork: Hartlepool 0, Southend 2
Free Kicks: Hartlepool 7, Southend 16
Corners: Hartlepool 2, Southend 5
Caught Offside: Hartlepool 3, Southend 1
Match Time: First half: 47:29. Second half: 49:42. Total: 97:11.
Attendance: 4,863 (approx 75 away fans).
Referee: Mark Cowburn (Blackpool) 5 out of 10.
Mark Wallis
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