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In all honesty, Blues were never going to come out of this penultimate home fixture, played beneath a blazing South Essex sunshine, with anything in a performance which I’m sure even Tilson would admit was probably the poorest since he took control of the team back in November. Ironically, ‘d argue that it’s United’s worst showing since the 4-0 drubbing against the same opposition at Huish Park some five months ago.
It was a first half brace from Portugese striker Danni Rodrigues, who himself is only on a short term deal with Gary Johnson’s side, which put the game virtually beyond doubt as the home side seemed to simply go through the motions.
Jimmy Corbett started his first match since the FA Cup Second Round victory over Lincoln City in early December as he came in to replace the suspended Mark Gower, otherwise United remained unchanged from the side which picked up a thoroughly deserved two-two draw with Hull City four days previously.
The pattern of the match was set with just five minutes on the clock when Darryl Flahavan had his hands warmed by a Kevin Gall header from Jake Edwards’ cross before Leon Cort did well to charge down a fierce Gavin Williams drive.
It was in the 21st minute that the visitors took the lead. A mammoth throw-in from Colin Pluck saw Flahavan punch away, but Gall quickly sent the ball back into area where Danni Rodrigues swivelled before firing an unstoppable half volley into the bottom left hand corner from fifteen yards.
It wasn’t until the 24th minute that the home side created their first opportunity when good work by Corbett and Mark Bentley set Lawrie Dudfield through on goal, but the ex-Northampton Town frontman stabbed his shot just wide of Steve Collis’ upright.
Then, with the clock just ticking into the 33rd minute play-off chasing Yeovil doubled their advantage. Edwards; scuffed shot found its way through the United rearguard before Danni Rodrigues, albeit looking distinctly offside, steered the ball home from a matter of inches.
Southend desperately tried to salvage something as the first half petered away and indeed a massive slice of luck almost gifted the Shrimpers a goal back when Kevin Maher’s shot took a huge deflection off Hugo Rodrigues before dipping inches wide of the post before Leon Cort nodded the resulting Maher flag kick inro the arms of Collis. Amazing those two efforts provided the Shrimpers only goalbound attempts of the match.
The second period was only thirty seconds old when Danni Rodrigues curled an impressive effort a whisker wide of Flahavan’s post before a couple of rare United attacks saw Dudfield’s run cut short by the brave dive of Collis before substitite Tes Bramble shot badly wayward following a neat Leon Constantine through ball.
As the dominant Glovers continued the press Daren Way fired a low effort at Flahavan, before with only moments remaining the final chance ironically fell to the home side as Bramble dragged a 20 yard shot wide of the post.
It was a disappointing afternoon for United as they slipped to only their second home defeat of the calender year, but with two games still remaining, at Rochdale next week before closing at home to Torquay United, Tilson will be urging his side on towards that elusive top half finish.
Southend United | 0-2 | |
Referee: Paul Robinson Match Time: 94:00 | Dani Rodrigues 21, 33 |
Darryl Flahavan Duncan Jupp Nicky Nicolau Leon Cort Jamie Stuart Kevin Maher Mark Bentley Lewis Hunt James Corbett Lawrie Dudfield Leon Constantine | 6 5 5 7 6 5 7 5(63) 4(63) 5 5 | Steve Collis Andy Lindegaard Colin Pluck Hugo Rodrigues Adam Lockwood Lee Johnson Darren Way Kevin Gall Gavin Williams -- Jake Edwards Dani Rodrigues | 6 7 7 8 7 7 7(70) 9 8 6(89) 8(83) |
Mark Warren Tesfaye Bramble Steven Clark Che Wilson Neil Jenkins | - 6(63) 6(63) - - | Ryan Northmore Adam Stansfield Nick Crittenden Simon Weatherstone Chris Giles | - -(83) -(89) 6(70) - |
10 2 6 2 0 16 9 1 | Total Goal Attempts | 9 5 1 3 0 13 2 5 |
Match Stats |
SOUTHEND UNITED...(0) 0 YEOVIL TOWN…(2) 2
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NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties. Ratings are only given to players who play 15 minutes or more.
DIVISION THREE UPDATE!
Blues will next season be joined in Division Three by Notts County, who’s relegation from Division Two, along with Wycombe Wanderers was confirmed today. The final two relegation spots look likely to be contested by Brentford, Grimsby Town, Rushden & Diamonds, Peterborough United, Stockport County and Sheffield Wednesday.
Last week Chester City clinched the Conference championship and promotion back to Division Three and with the Conference campaign finishing today the sides contesting the promotion play-offs have been confirmed as Hereford United, Shrewsbury Town, Barnet and Aldershot Town.
Defeat today unfortunately means that York City, members of the Football League since 1929, are all but relegated into the non-league period, with only the biggest miracle of all time being able to save the Minstermen who have not won for sixteen matches.
Carlisle United are just about living to fight another day after goalkeeper Matthew Glennon saved a last gasp penalty in the Cumbrians 3-2 victory at Mansfield Town. Had Stags midfielder Liam Lawrence scored from the spot Carlisle would have been down, but should they win both remaining matches and either Macclesfield Town, Scunthorpe United or Rochdale lose their remaining matches the Brunton Park side will pull off a miraculous survival.