Once again hero defender Adam Barrett, who surely has the ‘Player of the Year’ award already sewn up, came to the forefront as his eighth and ninth goals of the campaign took Southend United to just three points from an automatic promotion place, and at the same time took the Shrimpers unbeaten run to eight matches. Indeed United have lost just once in 2005, and only twice in some 18 matches.
United remain in sixth spot, but five points clear of the seventh-placed Cobblers, and with two consecutive home matches on the horizon against Shrewsbury Town and Bury, and then a trip to Chester City, Steve Tilson’s men can most definitely set their sights on nine points which would almost certainly see the Shrimpers leap past Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town and Swansea City into that elusive third spot.
This hard-fought victory was Southend’s third victory over Northampton this season, completing a league double as well as a comfortable LDV Vans Trophy victory at Sixfields at the end of November. This was only Town’s second home defeat in Division Three, but their fifth in all competitions, with, ironically Blues and Premiership strugglers Southampton, in the League and FA Cup, both clinching Sixfields victories on two occasions.
Boss Steve Tilson will be unhappy with the way his side started this game on a fresh February afternoon however, as they barely threatened Town’s goal in the first half and conceded a sloppy goal just seven minutes into the match.
The Shrimpers failed to deal with the physical presence of Eric Sabin on the edge of the penalty area, and as Che Wilson slipped, Sabin played in Charley Hearn who’s low cross was steered home by Martin Smith from close range at the far post. (1-0)
Southend’s first chance didn’t arrive until 22 minutes when skipper Kevin Maher curled a shot inches wide of the upright with Lee Harper looking well beaten.
Shrimpers goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan then did well to palm away an angled effort from Sabin, before Maher, again, stung the hands of Harper from 20 yards.
Half-time: Northampton Town 1 Southend United 0
The Shrimpers, urged on the an away following well in excess of 1,000, upped their game after the break, they had to, but still whethered an early storm before getting themselves back into the game.
United custodian Flahavan produced a save right out of the top drawer when he managed to push a Scott McGleish diving header onto the top of the crossbar, before the Blues keeper bravely denied Sabin following a pacey burst into the area.
Then, on 72 minutes Southend managed to pull themselves level when Maher’s right wing corner found Barrett who stooped to head home at the far post. (1-1)
Flahavan still had to remain on his toes though, dealing easily with a header from substitute Pedj Bojic, but that was the last threat a shell-shocked home side could muster.
It was in the final minute of normal time that Barrett rose to the occasion once again to earn all three points for his side. This time Mark Gower, from the bench, was the provider, and this time from a left wing corner which was floated to the back post where Barrett powered in to plant a firm header in the opposite corner. (1-2)
MATCH FACTS
NORTHAMPTON TOWN…(1) 1 SOUTHEND UNITED…(0) 2
Football League Division Three, Saturday, 19th February 2005 @ The Sixfields
The Cobblers (claret, white, claret; 4-4-2):- Lee Harper; Tommy Jaszczun, Luke Chambers, Chris Willmott, Fred Murray; Lee Williamson (Stuart Noble 87), David Rowson, Charley Hearn (Pedi Bojic 76), Martin Smith; Scott McGleish, Eric Sabin (Danny Crow 76). Unused subs – David Hicks, Mark Bunn.
The Shrimpers (all navy; 4-4-2):- Darryl Flahavan; Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Carl Pettefer, Nicky Nicolau (Mark Gower 65); Freddy Eastwood (Wayne Gray 72), Lawrie Dudfield. Unused subs – Tesfaye Bramble, Duncan Jupp, Craig Holloway.
Goals: Northampton: Smith 7 (low side-foot finish; inside area; timed at 06:06). Southend: Barrett 72 (headed in Maher corner; inside area; timed at 71:52), Barrett 90 (headed in Gower corner; inside area; timed at 89:32).
Bookings: Northampton: None. Southend: Bentley (79 – foul).
Sent-off: None.
Total Goal Efforts: Northampton 18, Southend 7
Shots/headers on target: Northampton 5, Southend 4
Shots/headers off target: Northampton 9, Southend 3
Blocked shots: Northampton 3, Southend 0
Hit Woodwork: Northampton 1, Southend 0
Corners: Northampton 6, Southend 7
Free Kicks: Northampton 11, Southend 14
Caught Offside: Northampton 0, Southend 3
Sabin dive counter: 5. A disappointing five dives for slippery boots Eric, but then again he was substituted in the second half.
Match Time:
First Half: 46:26. Second Half: 48:59. Total: 95:25.
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 1 minute (Actual: 01:26), Second Half: 4 minutes (03:59)
Referee: Mick Thorpe (Suffolk FA), 5 out of 10 (General Control 2/5, Application of Laws 1/3, Personality & Appearance 2/2)
Attendance: 6,602 (1,142 away fans)
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties.