Every point is obviously crucial for United in their promotion push, but Tilson’s side will be bitterly disappointed not to get anything out of this match against what was a desperately poor Notts County side.
County did not manager a single effort on target throughout the match, although ironically with their only chance of the match, shortly before half time, striker Gavin Gordon directed a header against the Southend post.
Crashing of the woodwork apart though, the Shrimpers – for whom Spencer Prior and Lawrie Dudfield were brought into the side at the expense of Andy Edwards and Wayne Gray – were never concerned at the back, but were hugely worried in attack where there seemed few ways to pass County’s determined rearguard, and this despite the visitors losing central defender Mike Whitlow to a nasty looking injury on just seven minutes.
Southend themselves fell foul to injury, with PFA Player of the Month, goalkeeper Bart Griemink falling awkwardly five minutes from time, before being replaced by Darryl Flahavan.
Unfortunately for Southend, who were trying to bounce back from a poor midweek showing at Boston United, they couldn’t find what would have been a crucial early breakthrough, although County goalkeeper Saul Deeney was called into action on just four minutes, doing well to to block Freddy Eastwood’s close range shot after Dudfield had driven the ball across goal.
Other than Gordon hitting the upright for the visitors, the only other real first half action saw Eastwood fire over the top after a melee which saw Denney fumble a long Che Wilson free kick.
After the interval, it was the Shrimpers who created every chance there was going as they endeavoured to find a vital goal.
Captain Kevin Maher sent a low shot wide of the post following good work involving Dudfield and Eastwood before young frontman Eastwood curled a 20 yard effort over the top.
A neat Dudfield cut back saw Lewis Hunt test Deeney before the Irish shot-stopper took two attempts to gather a stinging Nicky Nicolau effort after an impressive run from the former Arsenal youngster.
Deeney was on hand to push another Nicolau effort around the post on 70 minutes before Adam Barrett’s header, from a Carl Pettefer centre, found the hands of the County custodian.
Mark Gower, returning from a back injury as a second half substitute, was another player who couldn’t find a way through, although his low angled shot on 82 minutes brought only a parry from Deeney before Barrett’s rebound landed straight into the keepers body.
Results elsewhere went in United’s favour though, and they remain in fourth spot in Division Three, but face a tough trip to Mansfield Town’s Field Mill in seven days time with revenge for that agonising defeat at Roots Hall last month, first and foremost in everybodies minds.
MATCH FACTS
SOUTHEND UNITED...(0) 0 NOTTS COUNTY…(0) 0
Football League Division Three, Saturday, 15th January 2005 @ Roots Hall
Line-ups:
The Shrimpers (4-4-2; navy shirts, navy shorts, navy socks):- Bart Griemink (Darryl Flahavan 85); Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley (Mark Gower 70), Carl Pettefer, Nicky Nicolau; Freddy Eastwood, Lawrie Dudfield (Wayne Gray 78). Unused subs – Andy Edwards, James Lawson.
The Magpies (4-4-2; black and white stripes, white, white):- Saul Deeney; Mike Whitlow (Shane McFaul 7), Julien Baudet, Kelvin Wilson, Chris Palmer; Tony Scully, Stefan Oakes, David Pipe, Matthew Gill; Glynn Hurst, Gavin Gordon.
Bookings: Southend: None. Notts County: Palmer (11 – failure to reteat), Gordon (76 – foul)
Sent-off: None.
Total Goal Efforts: Southend 16, Notts County 6
Shots/headers on target: Southend 7, Notts County 0
Shots/headers off target: Southend 9, Notts County 5
Blocked shots: Southend 0, Notts County 0
Hit Woodwork: Southend 0, Notts County 1
Corners: Southend 7, Notts County 5
Free Kicks: Southend 14, Notts County 9
Caught Offside: Southend 1, Notts County 4
Match Time:
First Half: 48:04. Second Half: 49:09. Total: 97:13.
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 3 minutes (Actual: 03:04), Second Half: 4 minutes (04:09)
Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire FA), 8 out of 10 (General Control 4/5, Application of Laws 2/3, Personality & Appearance 2/2)
Attendance: 5,304 (approx 250 away fans)
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties.