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Southend United 1 York City 0

Last updated : 12 October 2002 By Mark Wallis

Barrington Belgrave pounced for a dramatic winner.
It was a very frustrating afternoon at Roots Hall, both United supporters and players were fed up with the antics of their opponents, who continually abused the rules for the entire match. It nearly worked aswell, York had clearly come with the intention of playing out a goalless draw, and they even protested profusely about Blues long awaited winner.

The match itself was hardly a spectacle and to be honest was a bit disappointing after last weeks superb performance at Bury, but it was the home side who created the early chances and on six minutes Tes Bramble's knock back found Jay Smith who warmed the hands of City goalkeeper Alan Fettis. Minutes later the lively Bramble was crowded out by the York defence after a strong run and he played the ball out wide to Mark Beard who's fiercely driven shot brought a fine stop out of Fettis.

A Kevin Maher corner was headed into the arms of Fettis by Graeme Jones before City's first opening, on 23 minutes, saw Lee Cook neatly turn before firing a shot just over Darryl Flahavan's crossbar.

Peter Duffield nodded a Cook corner inches off target before Cook was allowed the freedom to sprint at Blues defence before dragging a shot into the side netting. The last action of the first period then saw Bramble head a Neil Jenkins cross wayward when he perhaps should have done better.

United manager Rob Newman made a few changes at the break, most notably replacing Phil Whelan and Ian Selley with Damon Searle and Steven Clark respectively as his side switched from 3-5-2 into a 4-4-2 formation. Indeed it took United time to settle into their new shape, but they should have played most of the second half with a one man advantage as City's Darren Edmondson should have been sent off in the 50th minute. Following an intial foul on Bramble, whilst the Blues forward laid flat on the floor Edmondson collected the ball before putting it down and smashing it into the face of Bramble, unfortunately the noteless Officials seemed somewhat oblivious to the incident.

Jay Smith had another excellent game.

Fettis did well to hold Jones' curling shot on 55 minutes bewfore Tom Cowan struck a shot just over the bar. In what was a rather uneventful half, another real chance did not arrive until the 75th minute, Jenkins cross was flicked on by the head of Bramble and straight into the path of Jones who miscontrolled the ball with the goal begging, Fettis however could only manager to gather the ball right on the goalline.

United came close in rather unorthodox fashion seven minutes later as Maher's free kick saw visiting defender Jon Parkin smash the ball inches wide of Fettis' post. Fettis then did well to stop Maher's low 25 yard effort.

Then, in the third minute of injury time - the fourth official had only indicated that there would be two - a long free kick by Flahavan caused panic in the City area and as the ball dropped lose substitute Barrington Belgrave nippled in like a flash and managed to poke the ball past Fettis who was helpless as the ball slowly rolled over the line to send Roots Hall into raptures. York kicked-off and that was that. United left it late, but three more points lift the Shrimpers into fifth position.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com