Historical Day For Battling Shrimpers

For Brentford, despite scoring with just six minutes of normal time remaining, had conceded a goal in the last minute of their home encounter with Hartlepool United, meaning that a point was enough for Steve Tilson's side to be confirmed as a Championship club, and back to the promised land, for the first time in a decade. Elsewhere Colchester beat Rotherham at home, meaning the League One title will go right to the wire, but for once the travelling army of Southend fans didn't care how well their North Essex rivals had done, and who could blame them – Afterall, they had just won promotion to English football's second tier for the first time since 1991!

The nerves were in force well before the players had even appeared for their warm-ups. On the coach, on the train, wherever you were and whichever side you were supporting the pressure and strain of how much was riding on the game was evident. Because don't forget, whilst the national media may have been concentrating on the Shrimpers attempts to gain promotion all year long, Swansea City have been desperately trying to carve out results that would ensure them a play-off place.

With the beers flowing and watching Chelsea win the Premiership title, to say Southend fans were in the mood of a promotion party themselves was an understatement. Even before half of the 2,000-odd away support had taken their seats in the stand, the noise from the concourse underneath the stand was electric, and with Swansea's equally rigorous home atmosphere, it made for the perfect surroundings in approach to the big kick-off.

Following both sides having their separate team huddles, the game kicked-off to an energetic approach, with top class first time passing on offer. It certainly didn't look like League One, that's for sure. If there was one man doing the talking in the Southend team huddle, it was Adam Barrett – Southend born and bred – and he must have been waiting to go ecstatic when he saw his back post header going goalwards from Kevin Maher's corner, but somehow the out-of-position Willy Gueret in the Swansea goal managed to push the ball around for a corner.

Shortly afterwards, Freddy Eastwood saw his 6-yard-shot blocked on the line before firing the rebound wide after Luke Guttridge had played in a teasing cross. The build-up before that must have consisted off something like eight passes down the right hand side of the pitch – it was fantastic football and Southend at their best.

With ten minutes played the troublesome striker Lee Trundle said hello. The 29-year-old had reeked havoc earlier in the season with an outstanding performance at Roots Hall, where he pretty much won his side the match single-handedly, however he was left in the shadows of the Liberty Stadiums huge stands as he failed to find the net. It wasn't for the want of trying though, the bubbly scouser smashed a left-footed shot wide having escaped the attentions of Lewis Hunt.

Trundle's team-mate Andy Robinson then went mighty close to opening the scoring following Rory Fallon's lay-off, his swaying left-footed shot from 25 yards was marvellously tipped over the crossbar by the PFA's Player of the Year for League One this season, Darryl Flahavan. It was certainly a superb save for a player that deserves his award hugely.

However, there was absolutely nothing the ever-improving shot stopper could do to prevent Rory Fallon giving Swansea a perhaps underserved 19^th minute lead. Fallon collected the ball some 25-yards out, before bursting past Adam Barrett and then smashing forcefully past the outstretched leg of Lewis Hunt and hand of Flahavan and into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.

Freddy celebrates his leveller

The roar of the Swansea fans was deafening, but it didn't last long. Freddy Eastwood proved that whilst he isn't perfect, he is narrowing the list down, and put the Shrimpers back on level terms some ten minutes having fallen behind. Mark Gower collected the ball from Che Wilson, and played the ball into the feet of Eastwood, who having controlled the ball perfectly evaded the sliding challenge of Alan Tate before coolly slotting the ball into the corner of the Swansea goal on his supposed ‘weaker' left-foot.

But despite being back in the game, the Southend defence that has been so strong and faultless all season conceded again, this time uncharacteristically through an organisational mistake. After Southend got into a spell of panic football – hoofing the ball anywhere – finally Swansea used the possession, and Andy Robinson's arrowed cross to the far post was met by an unmarked Fallon who doubled his goal tally for the game and put the home team in front, just six minutes after Eastwood's strike.

Southend were back on the offensive shortly after, and following a half-cleared corner, Mark Gower's low shot was parried by Gueret, and with Eastwood only a few yards from goal somehow blocked the follow-up from the 22-year-old striker who was searching for his second of the game.

At half-time, Southend thoughts were instantly switched to attentions at Griffin Park and Layer Road, and vibes weren't positive – Colchester were 1-0 up, Huddersfield were also winning by that score-line, however Brentford were hosting a goalless draw with Hartlepool. Suddenly Southend felt it might just be their day.

But first, Southend had to weather a storm. Lee Trundle twisted and turned before smashing a dangerous looking shot towards the bottom corner of the goal, but between them, Kevin Maher and Lewis Hunt threw themselves at the ball and scrambled it away.

Just after the hour, Rory Fallon was searching for a hat-trick as his deft header was superbly saved by Flahavan as the ball looked destined for the far corner of the net. And the storm didn't stop there, Lee Trundle had a superb chance with just Flahavan to beat but he put the ball just inches wide of the post, with the Southend defence stranded. Fortunately the offside flag was raised, and the storm started to clear.

It was more like a picturesque sunshine with 63 minutes played, as Southend grabbed what was to be such a crucial equaliser in the race for promotion. Kevin Austin was caught in possession near his own penalty area by an alert Eastwood, who then twisted in and out of chasing defenders before cutting inside one last time and stabbing the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper with his right foot. Pandemonium followed in the away stand, and suddenly the belief to win the game became evident.

In an incredible twist, Brentford scored with only six minutes remaining at Griffin Park, and when the word quickly spread, it appeared that the Shrimpers would have to gain a victory in order to win promotion. However, with everybody keeping one eye on their phones and another on the game, news filtered through that Brentford had conceded a goal in the dying moments to Hartlepool, and that a point would now be sufficient.

After some desperate defending, the final whistle was blown, and it was met with mixed emotions. The game was still on-going at Brentford, however it was established that Colchester had won, and that Southend were not champions just yet, and then it emerged incredibly that Brentford had a goal disallowed – 6 minutes into stoppage time.

It was then confirmed that Brentford had drawn at full time, promotion was assured and the party began and continued all the way back to Essex as these fans that have seen so many lows in recent times have got a rare high to add to their collection, and maybe there are many more ‘highs' to look forward to!

Swansea, for all of their bad press, showed superb gratitude. Not only were the Southend players applauded off of the pitch, but the supporters who were cruelly forced into the play-offs by Swansea on the final day of League Two last season, were also applauded by the Swansea supporters. Thankyou very much for that, it wasn't unnoticed!

Steve Tilson reflected on the historic day: “It hasn't really sunk in yet, but it is a great achievement by everyone.”

Players celebrated at the final whistle

Adam Duffill + Martin Paterson
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