Southend United 0 Gillingham 1

His sentiments seem correct, as his team dominated their First Division opponents from start to finish, the visitors eventual winning goal coming from what was their only attempt on target. For the first time in years Southend seemed to breath confidence and it was very evident in the way in which the team continued to flow forward, always looking for a positive move.

In what was a very entertaining match, the first opportunirt of the encounter, on just four minutes, saw a James Corbett corner not properly cleared and Steven Clark drilled a low shot at custodian Jason Brown from ten yards. Great work by Michael Husbands six minutes later saw the nippy striker turn his defender before seeing his driven shot cannoning off of Barry Ashby.

Ex-Celtic striker Tommy Johnson chipped a shot just wide of Ryan Robinson's post on 22 minutes before another fine sprint by Husbands brought a low centre across goal where Corbett send a half volley whizzing just over the bar.

A fantastic move out of defence, breaking away from a Gills corner, saw Leke Odunsi move the ball forward rapidly to Husbands whose cross saw Drewe Broughton screw a shot wide of Brown's upright.

It was however with the first action of the second period that the visitors grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game, a ball in from the right by Nayron Nosworthy fell perfectly for Johnson, who with his back to goal neatly turned before poking the ball into the left hand corner from ten yards.

United always looked to fight back and continually took the game to their opponents. Yet again Husbands was causing trouble and his strong run saw a shot pushed out by substitute goalkeeper Scott Ward only for Odunsi to fire the rebound over the top.

Nosworthy's scuffed clearance saw Kevin Maher do well to nod the ball forward to Husbands who raced clear of the defence only to place his shot agonisingly wide of the post. Neil Jenkins then had a golden chance to level things up for the Shrimpers, but having been presented with the ball inside the six yard box he could only flick the ball straight into the arms of the rather grateful Ward.

Then, a terrible moment on 78 minutes saw Jenkins carried off on a stretcher after pulling up with what looked very much like a hamstring injury only 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Jamie Fullarton, signed the previous day from Brentford was impressive in midfield, and a remarkably strong challenge won the ball in midfield and he slipped the ball into the path of Husbands, who again sprinted away before curling a shot inches off target.

As the match slipped away from the unlucky Shrimpers, 17-year old Michael Kightly seized upon grabbing the last chance of the match, superbly beating three defenders on the goal line before cutting inside and chipping a shot just over the top.

It was a shame that United lost their second pre-season match, but they can take great pride from a performance which saw their First Division visitors put on the back foot for the majority of the match.

SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Ryan Robinson 6; Duncan Jupp 7, Jamie Stuart 7 (Che Wilson 81), Mark Warren 7, Leon Cort 7; Leke Odunsi 6, Kevin Maher 6 (Jamie Fullarton 64, 8), Steven Clark 8 (Neil Jenkins 64 (Michael Kightly 78)), James Corbett 6; Drewe Broughton 6 (Leon Constantine 73, 7), Michael Husbands 8 (Carl Griffiths 81). Unused subs - David McSweeney, Carl Emberson.

GILLINGHAM (4-4-2):- Jason Brown (Scott Ward 46); Nicky Southall (David Brickle 46), Ian Cox (Dean Beckwith 63), Chris Hope, Barry Ashby (Danny Spiller 37); Paul Shaw, David Perpetuini (Andy Hessenthaler 46), Mark Saunders (Nayron Nosworthy 46), John Hills (Richard Rose 60); Mamady Sidibe (Matt Jarvis 81), Tommy Johnson (Jones Awuah 69).

TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Husbands.
The young striker, on trial from Aston Villa, is certainly a live wire. An experienced Gillingham defence didn't know what Husbands was going to do next and were no where near matching him for pace. The impressive standing ovation he recieved when eventually substituted indicated just how much he had impressed the Roots Hall crowd with his darting runs and non-stop involvement. Unfortunately Husbands has one weak spot; finishing. His build up is superb, he make fantastic openings for himself, anf if only he can improve his finishing touch, which with endeavor he can, he could be a great prospect should Steve Wignall opt to keep him permantely.

Attendance: 1,601 (approx 140 away fans).
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent) 6 out of 10.

Programme Cover: Tes Bramble.

- A total of 17 substitutes were used in the friendly against Gillingham, with a total of 39 players taking to the field. Of those, United included 6 trialists; Ryan Robinson (Blackburn Rovers), Che Wilson (Cambridge City), Michael Husbands (Aston Villa), Leke Odunsi, Leon Constantine (Millwall) and Carl Griffiths (luton Town).

- DESPITE possessing two ex-Shrimpers in their squad, neither Leon Johnson nor Paul Smith were available for selection. Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler once almost signed for United, whilst Tommy Johnson, scorer of the only goal made his name at Aston Villa, Notts County and Celtic.

- REFEREE Phil Crossley has the unwanted claim of being one of the Assistant Referees on the fateful day when Referee Mike North died at Roots Hall in April 2001.

- BLUES midfielder James Corbett made his name at Gillingham before signing for Blackburn Rovers for £500,000, whilst Gills defender Nicky Southall scored on his debut for the Kent side, after just four minutes of their match against the Shtrimpers in December 1997.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com