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Southend United 3 Torquay United 0

Last updated : 21 April 2003 By Mark Wallis

Against a Torquay side who are chasing a promotion play-off place, Southend were, to be honest the only side in the match from the very moment that Mark Rawle gave the Shrimpers the lead in only the second minute.

Although this was certainly not the most entertaining of fixtures, Southend's performance was virtually dominant as the visiting side capitulated to defeat.

The opening goal arrived after just 109 seconds, a low Kevin Maher pass finding striker Mark Rawle who turned superbly before firing a fantastic lobbed shot over the head of goalkeeper Arjan Van Heusden from 18 yards.

The advantage was doubled on 40 minutes, and it was Rawle again who latched onto a Mark Salter pass and smashed a 25 yard shot in with the help of a deflection off defender Reuben Hazel. Within seconds Rawle could have had his hat-trick. Goalkeeper Van Heusedn dropped a loooping ball and Rawle's goalbound shot was scrambled off the goal line by Jason Fowler.

Rawle volleyed a Brett Darby cross over the top with the first chance of the second half on 54 minutes before a fierce Neil Jenkins shot, from another Darby centre, was blocked by Hazel.

Van Heusden did well to push an angled Jenkins shot wide of the post following fine work by Rawle before Leon Cort headed a Maher corner just off target. Then, still searching for an elusive hat-trick, Rawle rolled a shot inches wide of the upright.

The match was sealed two minues from time in superb fashion. A great run by Jenkins saw the left sided player slip into the penalty area before unleashing a fierce shot into the top left hand corner.

Hopefully this victory will mark the start of a fine reign under the leadership of Steve Wignall.

SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Darryl Flahavan 6; Ronnie Henry 5 (Mark Beard 72, 6), Damon Searle 6, Leon Cort 7, David McSweeney 7; Gavin Strachan 6 (Stuart Thurgood 87), Kevin Maher 7, Brett Darby 7, Neil Jenkins 8; Mark Rawle 9, Mark Salter 7. Unused subs - Steven Clark, Barrington Belgrave, Daniel Gay.

TORQUAY UNITED (4-4-2):- Arjan Van Heusden; Lee Canoville, Kevin Hill, Reuben Hazel, David Woozley (Matt Hockley 70); Jason Fowler, Alex Russell, Tony Bedeau (Graham Killoughery 81), Jo Kuffour; David Graham (Kevin Wills 52), Martin Gritton. Unused subs - Ben Camara, Kevin Dearden.

TLG MAN OF THE MATCH: Mark Rawle.
A great all round performance from the pacey striker, who in the end was unlucky not to bag a hat-trick Scored two very impressive first half goals and twice came close to netting a trio. Worked his socks off and was always scaring the the visiting defence with his constant closing down.

MATCH STATS -NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE - Sat, 19th Apr.
Goals: Southend: Rawle 2 (picked up a Maher pass and sent a superb lob over the goalkeeper on the edge of the penalty area; inside area. Goal Timed at 1 minute 49 seconds), Rawle 40 (a Salter pass found Rawle who's long range shot went in via a deflection off a defender; outside area. Timed at 39:28), Jenkins 88 (a superb solo run which ended in a fierce shot into the corner; inside area. Timed at 87:51).
Booked: Torquay: Hill (53 - foul).
Shots/headers on target: Southend 5, Torquay 1
Shots/headers off target: Southend 7, Torquay 2
Blocked shots: Southend 2, Torquay 2
Hit woodwork: Southend 0, Torquay 0
Free Kicks: Southend 12, Torquay 10
Corners: Southend 5, Torquay 7
Caught Offside: Southend 6, Torquay 5
Match Time: First half: 47:13. Second half: 50:36. Total: 97:49.

Attendance: 3,553 (approx 275 away fans).
Referee: Alan Butler (Nottinghamshire) 6 out of 10.

Programme Cover Photo: Gavin Strachan.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com