Southend United 0 Charlton Athletic 2

Darryl Flahavan had an excellent game.

On what was a scorching, sunny afternoon at Roots Hall, perhaps both teams can be forgiven for playing the game at a much reduced pace, but there there is little doubt that it provided a tiny crowd, of which probably more than half were Charlton supporters, with a most unentertaining match.

Some of the spectators inside the ground however may have thought that one official looked familiar; for assistant referee Philip Sharp was also linesman for last months World Cup Final.

To be fair to United, they were not once outplayed by their Premiership oppoents, but once again the Shrimpers conceded both the goals to corner routines.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley sent a very strong side to Roots Hall, and it was the Addicks who created the first opportunity on seven minutes, Jonaton Johansson shooting just wide of Darryl Flahavan's goal. Five minute later and Flahavan was called into action, but he had little difficulty in collecting Scott Parker's deflected shot.

Claus Jenson hit a well-struck free kick straight at Flavan before seconds later the Shrimpers custodian did very well to tip a Paul Konchesky free kick around the post. The following Jenson corner eventually came to nothing.

Jason Euell won a corner off Leon Cort in the 27th minute, but Jensen's flag kick fell to Kevin Maher, and with Steven Clark in acre's of space wide on the right Maher picked out the speedy winger with a telling long ball. Clark however, after a pacey run, launced his cross - aimed for Barrington Belgrave - agonisingly too far.

Charlton took the lead in the 36th minute courtesy of a most fortunate, possibly even accidental goal. Yet another Jensen corner was swung into the edge of the six yard box where Gary Rowett's downward header was well saved by Flahavan, but the bounced up and in off the head of the seemingly unaware Johansson from four yards. And with nine minutes still remaining until the interval, that was it as far as first half action was concerned.

Tes Bramble was one of United's better players.

Amazingly the second period was actually even more dire than its predecessor, the first action coming on the hour mark, Tesfaye Bramble lobbing the ball just over following a neat through ball by Stuart Thurgood. Four minutes later the visitors sealed the match. Mark Fish heading home a Jensen corner after Flahavan had called, but not claimed the ball. Flahavan however certainly cannot take the blame as he had an otherwise impeccable afternoon.

Mark Rawle turned and looped a shot well over following a quick Mark Beard throw-in before Flahavan did well again to hold a long range effort from Rowett.

John Robinson poked a shot towards goal on 85 minutes, but it was simple for Flahavan before the final action of the match saw Damon Searle concede a free kick which Jensen curled inches wide.

SOUTHEND:- Darryl Flahavan; David McSweeney, Neil Jenkins (Damon Searle 46), Leon Cort (Mark Beard 46), Phil Whelan; Stuart Thurgood, Kevin Maher (Ian Selley 46), Steven Clark (Jay Smith 65), John McGrath (Daniel Webb 61); Barrington Belgrave (Mark Rawle 51), Tesfaye Bramble. Unused subs - Daniel Lunan, Daniel Gay.

CHARLTON:- Dean Kiely; Radostin Kishishev, Luke Young (Mark Fish 56), Richard Rufus, Gary Rowett; Scott Parker, Paul Konchesky, Claus Jensen, John Robinson; Jonaton Johansson (Kevin Lisbie 67), Jason Euell. Unused subs - Paul Rachubka, Chris Powell, Shaun Bartlett.

REFEREE - Keith Hill (Royston)

Mark Wallis
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