Despite the scoreline, this was a most convincing victory, but it should have been by a much more comprehensive outcome, with Southend once again failing to completely kill off a side.
We all saw two weeks ago how crucial it can be that a side is not finished off no matter how poor the opposition when Wycombe Wanderers grabbed a most undeserved victory at Roots Hall.
However, generally United are on the up and following on from last Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Notts County, the Shrimpers line-up remained unchanged for the visit of the struggling Harriers.
It was United who dominated throughout, despite a slow start to proceedings, and the first chance was created on twelve minutes when Mark Gower’s 20 yard shot took a huge deflection and brought a fibe stop out of goalkeeper John Danby.
A rare chance from the visitor’s from Worcestershire arrived nine minutes later when Richard Appleby headed a Yossou Diop cross wide of the post.
However, with 27 minutes on the clock United grabbed what proved to be the winner. Ironically it arrived from Harriers hotly disputed only corner of the match when Mark Bentley quickly broke upfield before slipping a low ball to Gower who’s fine drive flew into the top left hand corner from 16 yards. (1-0)
The lead could have been doubled just three minutes later when Dudfield drove a low effort into the side netting.
Gower, once again, curled a shot just wide of the far post after fine play from Dudfield before, just two minutes before the break Harriers defender Abdou Sall was sent-off for kicking out at Dudfield.
Half-time: Southend United 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0
Just seconds after the re-start the Shrimpers could have been awarded a spot-kick when Appleby appeared to handle a Maher shot, however moments laterthe skipper himself nodded a fantastic Tes Bramble centre into the arms of Danby.
Gower, enjoying by far his best performance of the campaign so far, hit another effort just off target from 25 yards before a Duncan Jupp centre was headed at Danby at the far post from close range.
Bramble’s fierce long range shot brought a fine stop from Danby before the young shot-stopper also did well to cling onto a low piledriver from that man Gower again.
Che Wilson, having connected onto a Bramble cut back, then fired a shot at Danby before the final action saw Carl Pettefer denied by the Harriers custodian.
MATCH FACTS
SOUTHEND UNITED...(1) 1 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS (0) 0
Coca-Cola Championship League Two, Saturday 25th September 2004 @ Roots Hall
Line-ups:
The Shrimpers (4-4-2; navy shirts with white trim, navy shorts, navy socks):- Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Che Wilson, Spencer Prior, Adam Barrett; Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Carl Pettefer, Mark Gower (Wayne Gray 82); Tesfaye Bramble, Lawrie Dudfield (Drewe Broughton 82). Unused subs – Andy Edwards, Lewis Hunt, Nicky Nicolau.
The Harriers (4-4-2; red, white, red):- John Danby; Shaun Cooper, Steve Burton, Abdou Sall, Wayne Hatswell; Lee Jenkins, Dean Keates (Simon Brown 66), Stephen McMahon, Richard Appleby; Kelvin Langmead (Jesper Christiansen 77), Youssou Diop (Chria McHale ht). Unused subs – Ian Foster, Daniel Lewis.
Goals: Southend: Gower 27 (great shot into top corner following a low Gower ball; inside area; timed at 26:43).
Bookings: Southend: Prior (26 – foul), Maher (65 – foul). Kidderminster: Brown (77 – foul).
Sent-off: Kidderminster: Sall (43 – violent conduct)
Total Goal Efforts: Southend 23, Kidderminster 5
Shots/headers on target: Southend 10, Kidderminster 0
Shots/headers off target: Southend 9, Kidderminster 3
Blocked shots: Southend 4, Kidderminster 2
Hit Woodwork: Southend 0, Kidderminster 0
Corners: Southend 7, Kidderminster 1
Free Kicks: Southend 12, Kidderminster 15
Caught Offside: Southend 3, Kidderminster 2
Match Time:
First Half: 47:37. Second Half: 47:59. Total: 95:36
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 2 minutes (Actual: 02:37), Second Half: 3 minutes (02:59)
Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire FA), 5 out of 10 – Improved as the game went on, but unfortunately gave some v-e-r-y strange decisions!
Attendance: (approx 50 away fans)
Programme Cover: Mark Bentley and Mark Gower
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties.