This result in fact brought United’s first victory on the northern banks of the River Trent for 39 years, however it was never really in doubt against a Notts County side, now bottom of the table, who were remarkably poor.
County’s late consolation was their first goal for four matches, and to be honest it was little surprise for the men in black and white were lacking hugely in the striking department, and it was indeed a substitute, Glynn Hurst, who grabbed the goal.
As for Southend, it is still glaringly obvious that the poor home form of Steve Tilson’s side is currently the only thing separating the Shrimpers from being obvious play-off contenders at least. For well over a year now Southend, at long last, have found how to win away matches on a regular basis. There is no doubt that United are one of the better sides in this division, a fact which I think we have all realised despite our average start to the campaign, we just need to prove it on a weekly basis.
The return of skipper Kevin Maher, following a one-match ban, in the placed of Lewis Hunt, was the only change from the side which conceded a one-goal lead to lose at home to Wycombe Wanderers seven days earlier as Tilson’s men rounded off their trio of matches against sides relegated from League One last season.
However, one disappointment from this clash is the fact that it should have been far more emphatic, with Lawrie Dudfield and substitute Wayne Gray guilty of glaring misses which should have seen the Essex side go at least three or four goals ahead. The fact that it was once again down to defender Adam Barrett, with his fourth and fifth goals of the campaign, to earn United the points is a matter of concern. It’s not as if the chances aren’t being created though, they’re just not being converted.
This was an encouraging performances from the Shrimper though nonetheless, and Dudfield had already smashed a shot just wide of the upright following an angled run, with Mark Bentley having fanstaically won the ball on the edge of the area, before the lead was attained on 28 minutes.
A floated free kick from wide on the left by Maher saw Barrett rise the highest at the back post. His header flew in off the inside of the post despite the best efforts of Aston Villa loanee goalkeeper Wayne Henderson, who did get a bit of a hand to the ball. (0-1)
It was only the visitors who threatened the goal for the rest of the first half, and two more decent chances both fell to Mark Gower who saw a couple of decent low shots dealt with well by Henderson.
Half-time: Notts County 0 Southend United 1
United shot-stopper Darryl Flahavan was called upon for the very first time just two minutes after the interval when he did well to push a Youssef Sofiane shot around the post before a corner from ex-United loan man Tony Scully was nodded over the top by Mike Whitlow.
Tesfaye Bramble, struggling with a slight knock, still managed to send an acrobatic effort over the top before the second goal arrived with 55 minutes on the clock. Again Maher was the source as his corner drifted to the far post where that man Barrett was on hand to loop an unstoppable header into the opposite corner of the net. (0-2)
Another rare chance from the home side, with their supporter getting more than restless, saw Mike Edwards smash a volley over the top of Flahavan’s crossbar before the game should have been completely wrapped up soon after. As Gower twisted and turned his way down the left flank, he found Dudfield completely unmarked ten yards from goal, but the former Northampton Town frontman was far too casual with his side-footed shot and allowed full back David Pipe to dart across and clear the ball off the line.
Gower himself then curled an effort just wide following brilliant work from Pettefer and Bentley.
It was with four minutes remaining that County grabbed a surprise goal. For the second week in a row the United defence appealed for offside as a unit, but it didn’t prevent Hurst from finishing off a nippy run with a neat close range finish from a tight angle. (1-2)
Fortunately for Southend, unlike most sides, County never threatened again, and it was the Shrimpers who should have restored their two-goal deficit. Having been found with a superb lobbed pass from Dudfield, substitute Gray really should have scored with his chipped shot which dropped just wide of the upright. Then, only seconds later the pacey striker hit another effort, having connected onto a pass from fellow replacement Jim Corbett, into the arms of Henderson.
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Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com