More importanty this victory takes United back into the automatic promotion places – into second – and just one point from League leaders Yeovil Town. There are more games tonight (Friday) but Steve Tilson’s Shrimpers have done their bit by grabbing all three points.
United lined-up exactly the sama as they did for the 3-0 victory at Whaddon Road against Cheltenham Town the previous Saturday, with skipper Kevin Maher serving the second of a two match suspension for ten bookings.
A bank holiday Roots Hall crowd of 7,656 saw the Essex side make the better start to the game as, with just five minutes on the clock, a low Che Wilson ball fell to Preston North End loanee Alan McCormack who drove his shot wide of goalkeeper Michael Gilks’ upright.
Rochdale frontman Marc Richards volleyed off target only moments later before Southend again went close as Eastwood’s thumping shot was pushed out by Gilks.
A great run by Wayne Gray saw the pacey striker hold the ball up before laying it into the path of Mark Gower who’s curling shot kept Gilks on his toes.
The impressive Gilks was called upon to push out another effort, this time denying a Gray drive followimg neat build-up play by McCormack before the young shot-stopper also kept out an Eastwood effort.
The Shrimpers were let off the hook on 32 minutes though as goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan raced off his line to brilliantly deny Richards after a slip by Wilson.
With that behind them, United continued to come at their opponents, and Eastwood’s opener arrived a minute before the interval as he arrived at the right time to put the finishing touches on a low Gray shot to tap in at the far post. (1-0)
Half-time: Southend United 1 Rochdale 0
In a second half which saw United fall into cruise control, the lead was doubled on 55 minutes. Gilks pulled off another fine stop to deny a fierce Eastwood effort but as the ball dropped loose Mark Bentley reacted first to loop a header into the net. (2-0)
Another slight scare arrived on 58 minutes when Carl Pettefer was on hand to divert a Grant Holt effort off the line and around the post, but two minutes later, and on the hour mark a great move saw Southend put the result beyond any doubt with a third clinching goal. A fantastic Gower ball found Eastwwod on the right flank who burst into the area before laying a ball across the face of goal for Gray to tap home. (3-0)
An acrobatic overhead kick by Gray dropped into the arms of Gilks following some more great work by Eastwood before the final chance of the afternoon fell to the visitor’s, with Alan Goodall driving just wide from 25 yards two minutes from time.
MATCH FACTS
SOUTHEND UNITED…(1) 3 ROCHDALE…(0) 0
Football League Division Three, Good Friday, 25th March 2005 @ Roots Hall
The Shrimpers (all navy; 4-4-2):- Darryl Flahavan; Duncan Jupp, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Alan McCormack, Mark Bentley, Carl Pettefer (Luke Guttridge 69), Mark Gower (Nicky Nicolau 81); Freddy Eastwood (Lawrie Dudfield 74), Wayne Gray. Unused subs – Darren Blewitt, Craig Holloway.
The Dale (green and navy, white, white; 4-4-2):-.
Goals: Southend: Eastwood 44 (poked home a Gray shot; inside area; timed at 43:38), Bentley 55 (headed home a loose ball; inside area; timed at 54:38), Gray 60 (tapped in at far post; inside area; timed at 59:29).
Bookings: None.
Sent-off: None.
Total Goal Efforts: Southend 14, Rochdale 11
Shots/headers on target: Southend 10, Rochdale 3
Shots/headers off target: Southend 2, Rochdale 7
Blocked shots: Southend 2, Rovers 1
Hit Woodwork: Southend 0, Rochdale 0
Corners: Southend 5, Rochdale 8
Free Kicks: Southend 19, Rochdale 8
Caught Offside: Southend 5, Rochdale 3
Match Time:
First Half: 46:12. Second Half: 47:45. Total: 93:57.
Indicated stoppage time: First Half: 1 minute (Actual: 01:12), Second Half: 3 minutes (02:45)
Referee: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire FA), 10 out of 10 (General Control 5/5, Application of Laws 3/3, Personality & Appearance 2/2)
Attendance: 7,656 (c.180 away fans)
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
NB. Shots/headers on target includes all goals and Free Kicks includes all penalties.