Rovers Spoil Promotion Party

In some ways it was inevitable. Afterall, the Shrimpers do seem to have this fling with doing things the hard way, and the amount of media attention could have hardly helped a side that have gone most of the season unnoticed whilst others highlighted other clubs favoured to win the league. However, everyone has suddenly seen the Blues, and are now desperately sprinting behind in an attempt to steal the title themselves, and teams like Colchester and Brentford are now breathing down the Shrimpers necks – just three points and four points behind the league leaders respectively.

After being interviewed by Sky Sports (yes, I can sign autographs! Ha Ha), I duly took to my seat via the bar, where many nervous fans were slurping more alcoholic units than normal! I think even the most modern of supporters understands that Steve Tilson's men can be unpredictable at times, and for all of the superb performances they put in, there are times where the blues can feel the pressure and stutter.

Unfortunately, today appeared to be that way from a Southend perspective. Luke Guttridge could have possibly changed the headline of this report had he grabbed a vital early goal after three minutes. Following a through ball, Guttridge ran towards the penalty area, cut inside and darted into the box but instead of applying a cool finish with his left foot from twelve yards, Guttridge tried to beat the defender again – duly failing and wasting a good opportunity.

Doncaster then woke everybody up to the reality that despite the powerfulness of the Southend team, they were not just here to make up the numbers. Former Hartlepool United defender would have been battling to save his former side from relegation at home to Nottingham Forest had he still been a ‘Pool player, however he was instead playing for a team in Red and White and went close to scoring with a long range corner.

Southend, who were now piling the pressure onto their weakening opponents, were then introduced to the cunning Doncaster counter attacks. One of the only flaws in last season's play-off winning Southend United side was that they were weak at defending quick breaks following an attack. And they have since improved, but the moral of the story is simple – Doncaster's counter attacking football was simply superb to give credit where it is due, and it may have won them the game.

Twenty minutes in, and Kevin Maher's corner is pounced on by Donny ‘keeper Andy Warrington, from there his long throw is collected by Jermaine McSporran who escapes the attention of a falling Duncan Jupp before blasting the ball just over the crossbar. Southend were rattled.

In typical fashion they hit back moments later. Kevin Maher's free-kick was plummeted into the penalty area, Freddy Eastwood made a legal challenge with the goalkeeper, the ball dropped for Shaun Goater who hopelessly side-footed the ball wide of the empty net.

On the half hour Doncaster were back to their counter attacking ways. This time James Coppinger was wasteful in front of goal, opting for the shot over the crossbar rather than a pass to four of his unmarked team-mates.

Freddy Eastwood was close to making Coppinger and Doncaster pay for their wastefulness not long afterwards, the former Grays Athletic forward collected the ball from Kevin Maher, who himself had been on a surging forward run, before cutting inside the defender and smashing just wide of the goalkeeper's near post.

However, the best chance of the half came on the stroke of half time. Following some slow build up play, midfielder Sean Thornton, who was having a superb game in the centre of midfield, played a looping cross into the penalty area that was met by Leo Fortune-West, who thumped his header goalwards only to be thwarted by Darryl Flahavan.

Rovers were unsuccessful in their attempts to score at the end of the first half, but come the start of the second they were on the scoresheet. Guy on the left hand side fired a dangerous low cross into the penalty area, and as Adam Barrett slipped an unmarked James Coppinger tucked the ball past Flahavan.

Five minutes later and the Shrimpers had a chance to do something about their one goal deficit as Freddy Eastwood laid the ball into Mark Gower, but his deflected shot was easy for the goalkeeper to catch in the end.

With twenty minutes remaining, Southend were clearly running out of ideas, and moved to do something about it as Shaun Goater was replaced by Wayne Gray and Mitchell Cole was introduced for Mark Gower. Cole, who joined Southend at the start of the season from Grays Athletic look alert, and almost scored from Duncan Jupp's cross, smashing over from 8 yards with a tight angle.

Luke Guttridge then tried his luck following a Freddy Eastwood lay-off, but his shot was well held by Alan Blayney, before Jupp's surging run forward following a smart interception was eventually ended when Blayney again kept the Roots Hall crowd quiet, this time saving from Lewis Hunt.

Mitchell Cole had a second chance to score with only moments remaining; however he unselfishly laid the ball back for Eastwood, who uncharacteristically for him smashed a high shot well in the goalkeeper's grasp.

It was frustrating for the Shrimpers as their lead at the top was caught even shorter, but patience is a preference in my opinion, and no doubt the Blues have not blown their chances just yet.

Adam Duffill
www.thelittlegazette.com