Southend United 0 Luton Town 3

Last updated : 13 November 2004 By Mark Wallis

There was never a three-goal gulf between these two sides at Roots Hall, despite the Hatters leading the way in League One, but some poor defensive errors from United gifted Luton a three-goal first half lead with what were the Hatters only chances of the evening.

The tie was virtually over after just 34 minutes, with Town three goals ahead, but on a positive note Southend never let their performance slip and were unlucky not to grab one or two goals to make an interesting finish during a second half which the Essex side dominated.

Luton’s lead, on twelve minutes, stemmed from a Paul Underwood corner which was not fully cleared and tall striker Steven Howard’s weak header somehow slithered through Bart Griemink’s grasp before dropping just over the line. (0-1)

The second goal arrived three minutes later, the United defence appearing to stop, thinking Underwood was offside, as the ex-Rushden & Diamonds wideman picked out Howard who was given the freedom of Roots Hall to drive a low shot past Griemink from 15 yards. (0-2)

Then, the next opportunity, on 34 minutes saw the Bedfordshire side grab their third goal. A terrible blunder by Lewis Hunt saw a misdirected backpass set Ahmet Brkovic, a man who always seems to score against the Shrimpers, through on goal without a defender in sight and from an angled curled a shot around Griemink into the far corner. (0-3)

During that opening period, Southend seemed to struggle to be first to the ball, and Luton did bamboozle the Shrimpers with their movement at times and appeared to gain a daft amount of space.

However, from the third goal onwards it became virtually a one-sided game as Southend were the only side to create openings.

Before the interval Freddy Eastwood was the first United man to test nervous-looking goalkeeperDino Seremet, wo firstly did well to hold onto a low shot before taking two attempts to gather an innocuous looking effort.

Then, a minute before the break Mark Gower’s stung the hands of Seremet from 25 yards

Half-time: Southend United 0 Luton Town 3

It took 19 second half minutes for the first opening to arrive, shot-stooper Seremet dropping a Kevin Maher corner before the Luton defence desperately scrambled the ball clear.

Eastwood thundered a shot into the side netting from a dangerous Gower cross before Gower himself fired a 25 yard effort over the crossbar.

Southend were denied a blatant penalty when ex-Shrimpers loanee Chris Coyne handled a Maher centre inside the penalty area, however it was not to be and Southend’s last chance, in the final minute, saw substitute and Montserrat International Tesfaye Bramble fire over the top from a laid-off Maher free kick.

There is no doubt that United fans came away from the ground seeing a three-nil defeat as harsh on their side, but with the Shrimpers quest for promotion the only real aim for this season, I’m sure few will be too disappointing that the FA Cup will not be causing a distraction to Steve Tilson’s side.