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Manager Rob Newman, with his side playing their first match since the disappointing mid-week defeat at Leyton Orient, swept the changes in his starting line-up. Captain Phil Whelan, injured at Brisbane Road, was replaced by twenty-year old David McSweeney in central defence with Kevin Maher deputising as skipper. Darryl Flahavan, one of United's trio of 'contract rebels' was also displaced from the side for the first time since he moved to Southend, with teenager Daniel Gay donning the gloves, and with Barrington Belgrave United's only fit striker, the stocky frontman was partnered in attack by the manager himself. Leon Johnson and Steven Clark also returned to the side on either flank.
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On what was a terrible playing surface and was actually with the first meaningul attack of the match that United grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the match. Makeshift forward Newman recieved a pass from Belgrave before knocking the ball into the path of Clark who sped away from the home rearguard before calmly sliding the ball past Alan Marriott into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
David Cameron nodded Stuart Bimson's left wing cross over the bar for the home side in a first half which was void of any real action. However in the 36th minute Daniel Gay, who put in a very confident performance, did well to hold Kingsley Black's twelve yard shot after McSweeney had cut-out a dangerous centre by Cameron only seconds earlier.
Although Southend did create too much infront of goal themselves, City never looked like finding a way through the Shrimpers resiliant defence as the home side were jeered off the pitch by their supporters on the sound of the half time whistle from referee Andy Hall, officiating his first Southend match since sending three United players off in a game at Swansea over nearly four years ago.
Five minutes into what was a slightly brighter second period Rob Newman fired a volley just wide of half time substitute Darren Horrigan's goal. The teenage goalkeeper was making his debut for the Imps.
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Ian Selley's free kick was then charged down by Cameron before Paul Morgan headed Grant Brown's flick on over the crossbar from eight yards.
As the travelling contingent of supporters contemplated a rare away victory Gay brilliantly tipped Black's thunderous 25 yard shot over the crossbar and as the resulting corner came to nothing Southend were left to celebrate only their second victory in twelve League matches.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com