Southend United 1 Rochdale 0

Tes Bramble grabbed United's late winner.

In what was never an action packed encounter, Southend could actually have grabbed the lead after just fifteen seconds, Dale goalkeeper Neil Edwards making a great save from Jay Smith's fierce low drive. The next opportunity arose seven minutes later when Simon Grand chipped a low Scott Warner centre just over Daniel Gay's crossbar.

A strong run by Lee McEvilly resulted in a shot which deflcted inches wide of the post off of Cort, although strangely only a goal kick was awarded before Daniel Marney came close to breaking the dealock on 34 minutes, heading an accurate Tes Bramble cross just off target.

Mark Rawle blasted over the top from 20 yards on 40 minutes before the first half came to a climax with Clive Platt nodding a Warner cross over the bar for the visitors.

Mark Beard, injured towards the end of the first period was replaced by McSweeney at the break as Southend looked to ensure that they remained tight at the back whilst pressing forward for the winner; McSweeney slotted straight in to Beard's accustomed right back position.

The first chance of the second half arrived ten minutes after the interval, Maher curling a neat 25 yard free inches wide of the upright and into the side netting with Dale keeper Edwards completely beaten. Five minute later and it was Marney who shot just wide of the post following a neat run.

A superb Bramble flick-on then found Marney in space and the loanee winger sprinted towards goal but unfortunately the youngster just slightly overran the ball and he could only poke his shot into the side-netting.

Jay Smith had a great game.

The winning goal arrived with only one minute of normal time remaining, Barrington Belgrave, who had looked lively after replacing Rawle as a substitute twenty minutes from the end, was chopped down by Grand as he knocked the ball ball forward, but despite the desperate flag waving of his assistant, referee Iain Williamson played a superb advantage and Bramble reacted quickest to race onto the loose ball before rounding keeper Edwards and slipping the ball into the unguarded net.

It wasn't an entertaining match on a chilly afternoon at Roots Hall but it was certainly a well deserved and most crucial victory for the Shrimpers who are now looking to make it three out of three and to complete another double on Tuesday night in-form Oxford United arrive by the seadide for the match which has been re-aaranged from News Years Day.

SOUTHEND (4-4-2, with ratings out of 10):- Daniel Gay 7; Mark Beard 6 (David McSweeney 46, 6), Damon Searle 7, Leon Cort 7, Daryl Sutch 7; Kevin Maher 5, Jay Smith 8, Daniel Marney 6, Steven Clark 7 (Neil Jenkins 90); Mark Rawle 7 (Barrington Belgrave 70, 7), Tesfaye Bramble 7. Unused subs - Stuart Thurgood, Tom Jordan.

ROCHDALE (4-3-3):- Neil Edwards; Wayne Evans, Matthew Doughty, Richard Jobson, Simon Grand; David Flitcroft, Scott Warner (Kevin Townson 90), Michael Oliver; Clive Platt (Paul Simpson 60), Paul Connor, Lee McEvilly.

TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Jay Smith.
A very impressive performance from the diminutive midfielder. Jay never gave up all afternoon and was all over the pitch, always getting himself into great positions when not in possession and always looking to make things happen when he did have the ball. Got stuck in when it really mattered and undoubtedly one of his best displays since signing for the Shrimpers.

Attendance: 3,645 (approx 175 away fans)
Referee: Iain Williamson (Reading) 8 out 10.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com

- As your Editor, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of FootyMad for this report being deleted earlier this evening and being replaced by complete tosh. Unfortunately it is not the first time that this has happened and once again I have taken the matter up with Gary Broughton and David Price from FootyMad. It is a totally unacceptable situation, and I'm going to try and ensure that either David or Gary post a formal apology on the Message Board on this site. Mark