Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Semi-Final: Southend United 1 Swindon Town 2

Last updated : 08 December 2011 By westfield shrimper

Oh well, shit happens, and son of Luggy scored as well!

Not much to say about the game as a whole really, both teams are looking to the league, but the away side deserved it in the end as Blues boss Paul Sturrock made some strange selection decisions, Luke Prosser as a wideboy, that didn't pay off this time around.

It was 18 minutes before we had a decent shot on target when Swindon striker Jake Jervis went close from the edge of the area.

Ryan Hall, who else, followe up with a decent strike as the home side had their best period.

Blair Sturrock saw his volley form 12 yards well saved by Robins keeper Wesley Foderingham, followed up by Anthony Grant smacking a 25 yarder against the top of the crossbar.

The Wiltshire boys had their moments and in the 33rd minute Lander Gabilondo left Sean Clohessy standing and sent bin a superb cross that Matt Ritchie put wide from close range.

Hall again showed why he was so dangerous with a low, skimming shot for 20 yards out that tested Foderingham, and on the verge of the break Prosser did get into the game but his shot from only six yards out was cleared to safety after great work by Robins defender Aden Flint.

The first half finally ended goalless but not before Shrimpers keeper Luke Daniels saved well from Swindon striker Matt Ritchie.

The West Brom loanee Daniels had to his stuff again soon after the break when he pushed an Alessandro Cibocchi free-kick past the post.

But on 62 minutes it was the home side who could celebrate, Clohessy's cross was met by Prosser in the area and he found former Robin Blair Sturrock who did enouigh to find the left corner of the net to open his season's account.

Sadly for the Essex faithful it was to only last 7 minutes as Swindon skipper Paul Caddis let fly a 20 yarder that flew past Daniels for the equaliser and his first goal of the campaign.

Luggy decided to liven things up, a result had to happen on the night, with Liam Dickinson, our best spot lick taker, and Jean-Paul Kalala replacing a poor Harris and Prosser.

Soon after Peter Gilbert saw his cracking effort from 25 yards pushed away by Foderingham but on 82 minutes Di Canio's men decided that there was no need to worry about penalties.

Gabilondon sent over the perfect cross from the left and Ipswich Town loanee Ronan Murray, who had just been on two frigging minutes al al Harrold a couple of weeks ago,headed home the winner.

Lee Sawyer was brought on but this was not a gamne that was going to be rescued and the Robins will face Barnet in the two-legged southern JPT final after they saw off Brentford on penalties!

So Swindon become the first team to beat us in 16 matches, nearly three months after they were the last.

Good teams come back from disappointments such as this, and in four days time they will have a great chance to prove just how strong they are as serious promotion candidates, whne they face at Whaddon Road the other Robins, third placed Cheltenham Town.

Southend player markings: Daniels - 6, Clohessy - 7, Mohnsi - 6, Barker - 8, Gilbert - 6, Prosser - 5 (Kalala 74 - 5), Grant - 6, Ferdinand - 6 (Sawyer 82), Hall - 6, Harris - 5, (Dickinson 74 - 5), Sturrock - 6.

Referee: Mr. D. Sheldrake - 6.