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Indeed the first period never really saw a huge amount of action, but Southend took the lead in only the third minute. Tony Scully picked the ball up wide on the left before twisting and turning down the touchline, beating two players, before whipping in a curling cross which Hartlepool defender Graeme Lee could only help into his own net past the helpless Anthony Williams.
Eifion Williams headed a Michael Barron centre straight at Darryl Flahavan following a Marcus Richardson knock -back before Pool equalised on 23 minutes, Richardson once again the ring leader, this time touching the ball back to Barron who struck a sweet low shot past Flahavan and into the bottom right hand corner from 20 yards.
Lee nodded a Paul Smith corner just off target on 29 minutes before a fierce Jay Smith drive zipped just wide from 25 yards minutes later. Then, a great move five minutes before half time saw Anthony Williams make a fine stop from Jay Smith's 18 yard shot following a decent build-up involving Scully and Tes Bramble. The final action of the half, in stoppage time, then saw Kevin Maher touch a free kick to Jay Smith who's bullet of a shot was tipped over the crossbar by Anthony Williams.
In what was a highly entertaining second period, it was mainly the Shrimpers who ran the show, but unfortunately both sides seemed to find goascoring a rather difficult task. Maher opened up the second half opportunities by volleying over the top from 25 yards on 49 minutes.
Eight minutes after the break however referee Lee Cable denied Southend a great chance to regain the lead. A fantastic run by Mark Rawle had taken the pacey striker into the penalty area where he was comprehensively upended by Mark Tinkler, but bizarrely Cable seemed obvious to the incident as the South Stand erupted with fury.
Ex-Southend loanee Brian Barry-Murphy struck a 20 yard shot off target for the visitors on 54 minutes before Eifion Williams tested Flahavan seconds later.
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Three minutes later Jay Smith picked the ball up in the centre of midfield before slipping it into the path of Bramble who strode forward before picking out Damon searle on the left who fired a shot just wide of the far post. Steven Clark then nodded a Scully cross over the bar.
Hartlepool custodian Anthony Williams did well to hold a long range Bramble effort on 66 minutes before Bramble was at it again, smashing a shot straight against Chris Westwood before firing the rebound inches wide of the upright from 15 yards. Williams then struggled to grasp a sttinging 30 yard piledriver from Clark.
Bramble shot straight across the goal, and just inches wide of the post, on 75 minutes before Williams tipped a looping Rawle header - from a Maher free kick - just over the crossbar.
Bramble's fierce shot following a Clarke knock-back was blocked by Westward before the final action of a thrilling half saw Flahavan make a good stop from Eifion William's turn and shot on the edge of the area.
The replay will take place at Hartlepool's Victoria Park on Tuesday, 26th November, kick-off 7:45pm and Southend director Ron Martin has announced that he will be subsidising coach travel to the north east, and any supporters wishing to travel by coach can do so for just five pounds. To book a place phone Chris Berry on 07703 898 698. First come first served!
To be Continued!.......
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com