However, despite twice losing out in two-legged semi-finals - against Notts County in the Anglo Italian Cup in 1994 and to Brentford in this same competition three years ago - the Shrimpers have finally reached a major national Cup Final and face an exciting Final clash with either Sheffield Wednesday or Blackpool (they meet on Tuesday 24th February) at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Sunday, 21st March.

It was two fabulous performances from the South Essex side, made even more impressive considering Steve Tilson's side fell behind to early goals in both matches, who can hold no doubts that they fully deserve their place in the final. Indeed it goes back further than the Colchester encounters; United came from a goal down to beat Bristol Rovers in the first round, dug out an impressive win at Swansea City in the second before tonking two Second Division sides, Luton Town 3-0 and Queens Park Rangers 4-0 at Roots Hall. Before kick-off Shrimpers caretaker boss Tilson accepted a special award from LDV Vans in recogntion of the superb performance against Rangers.

Man for man, Southend have been simply outstanding in this competition and a special mention, for this second leg particularly, must go to Drewe Broughton - the man who's goal sent us to Cardiff - and skipper Kevin Maher who both led by example and were, quite simply, phoenomenal.

Anyhow, onto the match itself and Tilson named the same side which started the previous week's 3-2 victory at Layer Road with Mark Bentley and Lawrie Dudfield once again sitting out having been cup tied.

However, with onlt seconds over two minutes on the clock Southend got off to the worst possible start when Colchester took the lead with a most soft goal. Kemal Izzet was allowed space inside the penalty area and turn and roll a mishit shot towards goal but somehow the ball wriggled through the grasp of Shrimpers goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan and into the bottom lreft hand corner of the South Stand net.

Southend however were bouyed by the early set back more than anything else and soon went in search of a goal of their own. The first of three possible penalty appeals was turned down by referee Michael Ryan when Maher's shot was handled by Liam Chilvers, however only moments later Southend were testing U's shot-stopper Simon Brown when the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster did well to push a Broughton shot around the post.

On fifteen minutes Broughton nodded a Mark Gower free kick inches wide of the far post before, just three minutes later, Brown was again on hand to deny Tes Bramble.

Lewis Hunt was then poleaxed in the penalty area by Alan White, but amazingly the Lancashire -based referee cautioned Hunt for diving!

Colchester thren created the two best chances of the half, and in fact the match, when firstly Scott McGleish headed wide of the post after Flahavan had failed to claim a Greg Halford throw-in and the loanee frontman Craig Fagan slipped a shot wide of the upright having been fed by Halford.

A long Gower ball forward on 35 minutes was nodded backwards bt Broughton for Bramble to crash a volley a whisker off target Broughton smashed a shot against the post following good work by Gower sand Maher. However, in first half stoppage time the all important equaliser - which put the Shrimpers bsck in front on aggregate - finally arrived. A Duncan Jupp cross was drifted into the box whee Bramble headed on to Broughton who drove the loose ball confidently past the on-rushing Brown.

To go in with that goal under their belts was a massive boost for the Shrimpers and to be honest Tilson's men never looked like surrendering their advantage in the second period.

Another penalty appeal went astray after Wayne Brown put his hand to a Jupp cross and Gower curled a 61st minute free kick inches over the top.

Fagan's teasing run and cropss looked dangerous but fortunately there was no U's player getting anywhere near touching the ball home and that was all the visitor's really created despite playing for a place in a cup final.

Leon Cort headed a Gower free kick over the top and a Bramble cross saw Broughton nod the ball over Brown's crossbar before, on 75 minutes, Bramble was presented with a wonderful chance to seal the tie but, unmarked in the area, scuffed his shot into the grateful arms of Brown.

Brown himself desperately charged up field in the dying minutes in a bid to try and grab a goal for the Layer Road side, but it was the homesters who created the final opportunities, Cort again heading off target from a Gower corner before Gower himself struck a free kick just over the bar.

Southend supporters became somewhat anxious as the opposition enjoyed some lengthy possession deep in the Shrimpers half during the five minutes of stoppage time, but it all came to nothing as the final whistle brough sheer joy from three jam-packed sides of Roots Hall.

The players were presented with 'We're going to the LDV Vans Trophy Final' flags, of which incidentally my best mate has acquired one from Lewis Hunt - a great momento - as our heroes deservedly completed a lengthy lap of honour.

I'm sure they'll be doing just the same in South Wales in 33 days time. We already cannot wait!

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com