|
Following a reckless challenge on Bramble by Cheltenham full-back Jamie Victory, for which the away side were amazingly awarded a free kick, Maher rushed fully thirty yards to shove Martin Devaney to the ground as a tussle broke out, but innocent Bramble was mistaken for Maher by referee Clive Penton and was immediately banished to the dressing room. Maher himself still picked up a booking for dissent following the big striker’s dismissal.
Of course under new League regulations Blues will have minimal time to mount an appeal with Bramble’s three-match ban due to start with Tuesday night’s trip to Lincoln City. It’s a huge disappointment for the Shrimpers because it was Bramble who undoubtedly provided the biggest goal threat in what was otherwise a pretty static attacking display.
Lawrie Dudfield and Wayne Gray both seemed out of sorts on the frontline, although the latter appeared to improve upon the arrival of Bramble and Lewis Hunt, adorning a central midfield occupation, also struggled to get involved as did Carl Pettefer, who still doesn’t look fully fit, and left back Nicky Nicolau didn’t help matters by drifting out of position on far too many occasions.
Unfortunately Southend simply never got going in this match, there is little doubt however that the Shrimpers are by far a better side than this showing suggested, but another guarantee is that we will most certainly come across better side’s than John Ward’s Cheltenham this season. One plus was that the renewed central defensive pairing of Andy Edwards and Spencer Prior looked solid enough and goalkeeper Bart Griemink could not have been faulted for either strike, but on the wings, particularly the right flank which was defended by Nicolau, gave much cause for concern.
It was however the home side who created the first opportunity of the match on six minutes when Mark Gower stabbed a shot at goalkeeper Shane Higgs from 25 yards, but the tone for the first half was soon set when pacey wideman Devaney saw his fierce shot blocked by the head of Edwards.
It was on 17 minutes that the vistors from Gloucestershire grabbed the initiative when John Melligan, a summer signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers and so often a menace to United during loan spells with Kidderminster Harriers, struck a sweet 16-yard shot in off the right hand upright. (0-1)
The decisive second goal arrived some eleven minutes later, this Nicolau was found terribly wanting when he was outpaced by Devaney who’s low cross was flicked into the net by lone-striker Kayode Odejayi at the near post. (0-2)
A couple of half chances for Tilson’s side saw Gower’s angled drive well held by Higgs following neat play involving Pettefer and Hunt. A low Duncan Jupp cross then saw Gower shoot at Higgs when he should have unleased his right peg slightly earlier. In the meantime debutant Griemink had done well to deny Odejayi’s low effort.
The last chances of the half both fell to United with Hunt seeing a shot deflected just off target and Gower curling an effort just wayward of the far post.
Half time: Southend United 0 Cheltenham Town 2
Again it was the home side who stole the first chance of the second period, but Gray’s header from a Maher cross caused Higgs few problems.
Odejayi then headed woefully wide of the target whilst unmarked following a Victory cross and then Gray drove just off target for the Shrimpers following fine work by the ever determined Prior.
Bramble, and indeed Michael Husbands, tried to create things as substitutes, and the former pulled a great ball back to Gray but the ex-Milton Keynes Dons frontman’s shot lacked the power to cause any damage.
Town midfielder David Bird fired an effort over the top on 83 minutes, but then came the injury time controversy when Bramble was incredibly dismissed, whilst Devaney was only cautioned for a blatant push on Jupp only seconds later.
All-in-all a verdict of ‘must do better; for United, but it could serve as a good lesson ahead of Tuesday’s first away clash against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com