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Lawson’s performance was so much more than just a goal as well. The youngster may have had a few doubters given his start to life in professional football – he already had three substitute outings to his name – but he put in a performance far beyond his years as Oldham struggled to deal with a talent they clearly knew very little about.
In the end it was a comfortable victory for Blues against a Latics side who looked rather out-of-sorts, but Ritchie Wellens well taken consolation on 69 minutes gave United food for thought, especially as Chris Killen scuffed a shot over the crossbar when it was easier to at least hit the target.
That said, apart from some dangerous balls into the box - mainly from experienced skipper Andy Liddell and 41-year old substitute David Eyres – Ronnie Moores’s side bared little threat in front goal, none more so than during a first half in which Darryl Flahavan made a neat early stop from Killen, but was only called into action again to grab hold of a harmless long range effort from eventual goalscorer Wellens.
Following a slow start to the game, its perhaps a tad surprising that Southend’s lead came so early, but it was a pleasure to watch. Lawson had been involved in almost every forward move United had played, and Oldham seemed totally unaware as he drifted unmarked into the penalty area to head home 19-year old Cole’s perfect cross from ten yards.
Southend began to dominate and along with Lawson, Mark Gower was enjoying his best showing of the season and with Cole terrorising on the left flank, Oldham were having a torrid time.
It was Gower who provided an assist that very nearly doubled United’s lead, but his dipping right wing cross was headed against the crossbar by the unlucky Shaun Goater, Oldham eventually managing to scramble the ball clear.
However, Southend decisive goal arrived right on cue, with both sides preparing for their half-time refreshment, Cole once again proving the provider as his left sided centre was floated to the back post where Gower’s header, despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Chris Day, found its way into the back of the net.
Gower’s rare headed strike was United’s eleventh goal of the campaign, leaving them third top scorers in the League, ironically behind fellow promoted sides Scunthorpe United and Swansea City.
Southend’s second half showing was far more relaxed than that of the first half, and it was disappointing that the visitor’s, who had been on the back foot for most of the afternoon, were even allowed a glimmer of hope, although few could complain about the coolness of their goal, former Blackpool man Wellens side-footing past Flahavan from 18 yards.
Only a fantastic sliding tackle from in-form Andy Edwards halted Paul Warne’s progress as he dashed menacingly into the area, but apart from that and Killen’s badly scuffed miss, United comfortably kept their opponents at bay to keep up a so far good start to life in League One. 2 CCL1 1 4-4-2 TEAMS 4-3-3 Darryl FLAHAVAN 6.5 6 Chris DAY Lewis HUNT 6 6 Terrell FORBES Andy EDWARDS 6.5 7 <83 Mark BONNER Adam BARRETT 7 6.5 Gareth OWEN Che WILSON 6 6 Paul SCOTT Mark GOWER 7.5 6.5 Marc TIERNEY Luke GUTTRIDGE 6.5 7 Richie WELLENS Kevin MAHER 7 6 <66 Paul EDWARDS Mitchell COLE <77 8 6 Andy LIDDELL Shaun GOATER <88 7 5.5 <66 Phil WARNE James LAWSON <69 8 6.5 Chris KILLEEN Bart GRIEMINK Michael POKE Duncan JUPP Mark HUGHES Spencer PRIOR >88 6.5 >83 Richard BUTCHER Mark BENTLEY >69 6.5 >66 Chris PORTER Jay SMITH >77 6.5 >66 David EYRESSOUTHEND UNITED
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
James Lawson 10
Mark Gower 445261
Richie Wellens 69
SUBS
Match Statistics |
Southend United (2)…2 Oldham Athletic (0)…0 @ Roots Hall, Southend-on-Sea in Coca-Cola League One on Sunday 04/09/05 |
Goals: Southend: Lawson 10 (far post header from high Cole cross; inside area; timed at 09:34), Gower 44 (far post header from high Cole cross; inside area; 43:52); Oldham: Wellens 69 (curling right-footed shot palmed into top left-hand corner; outside area; 68:31). |
Bookings: Oldham: Tierney 15 (foul) |
Sent-off: none |
Total Goal Efforts | Shrimpers 7 Latics 11 |
Shots/Headers On Target | Shrimpers 2 Latics 3 |
Shots/Headers Off Target | Shrimpers 3 Latics 6 |
Blocked shots | Shrimpers 1 Latics 2 |
Hit Woodwork | Shrimpers 1 Latics 0 |
Corners | Shrimpers 1 Latics 9 |
Free-kicks | Shrimpers 14 Latics 13 |
Offsides | Shrimpers 3 Latics 1 |
Sundries |
Match Time | 95:59 (First half: 46:32, Second half: 49:27) |
Indicated Stoppage Time | First half: 1 minute, Second half: 4 minutes |
Referee: Nigel Miller (Durham FA) 7 out of 10 (general control 3/5, application of laws 2/3, appearance and personality 2/2) – Durham official Miller was not too bad overall in a match that barely needed reffing. He was let down by his assistants, who failed to maintain their convictions, and as a result was sometimes berated by both sets of players. |
Attendance: 5261 (326 away fans) |
Programme Cover: Shaun Goater celebrates one of his goals against Colchester United |