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Swansea City 1 Southend United 0

Last updated : 20 October 2002 By Mark Wallis

Phil Whelan was forced to play as a makeshift striker; he had United's best chances.
It was a strange game at the Vetch, Southend never played badly but they simply seemed unable to get into their stride against a Swansea side who despite propping up the Division Three table, did look like a difficult side to beat. I think its fair to say that they are in a false position, but still United could have easily picked up a result had they been on top of their game.

The Shrimpers however were under strength, they were already without the suspended Graeme Jones and were certainly not helped by striker Tesfaye Bramble picking up a slight hamstring strain just before the match. As a result Barrington Belgrave, making his first start of the season, was partnered in attack by makeshift striker Phil Whelan. This forced Southend to return to a 4-4-2 formation, with Damon Searle - jeered continually as ever by the Swansea supporters for his near-300 appearances for Cardiff City - returning to the side whilst Tom Jordan and Steve Tilson were both named on the bench.

In a match which was dominated by the inept and seemingly rather biased refereeing by West Midlands-based Official Mick Fletcher, the first chance came on nine minutes when a harsh free kick awarded against Leon Cort saw Darryl Flahavan make a neat save from James Thomas. Seconds later Thomas nodded a Brian Cash cross just wide.

Paul Reid rolled a soft shot at Flahavan on eleven minutes when he really should have done better having created a good opening before United came close for the first time, Jay Smith good run resuylting in a fierce 20 yard shot which veteren goalkeeper Roger Freestone did brilliantly well to tip over. On 16 minutes though came high controversy as Southend were denied a perfectly good equaliser. Mark Beard knocked the ball back to Kevin Maher who's cross was headed goalwards by Whelan. Freestone made a complete mess of the situation and somehow punched the ball into his own net. As the Southend players and supporters began to leap with joy, Fletcher - who had given a goal - spotted a flag from his linesman, and amazingly reversed his decision, gave the home side a free kick and booked Whelan for handball. The substandard referee had set his standard for the match and oh boy did he stick to it.

Damon Searle had a decent game on his return to the side.

On 20 minutes however Whelan should have given the Shrimpers the lead for certain, but he could only head Beard's cross wide from close range when it looked easier to score. Then came an extraordinary incident in which Fletcher came into the limelight once more. Swansea midfielder Andrew Mumford quite blatantly controlled the ball with his hand inside the penalty area, but apparently un-noticed by the noteless Official, but then as Mumford hit a shot against the underside of the crossbar and into the goal, to Southend's relief Fletcher failed to realise that the ball had crossed the line.

Then, on 38 minutes Fletcher made a fool of himself once more. A regulation midfield tussle between Ian Selley and Reid went way too far when Reid deliberately stamped on Selley. After a bit of pushing and shoving - but notably not involving Selley - Fletcher amazing failed to send off Reid, awarding only a booking and worse still, giving a caution to the innocent Selley who immediately limped out of the action. To cap the incident off, the resulting free kick was awarded in the favour of the home side!

As a scrappy first half came to a close Mumford's shot was easy picking for Flahavan whilst Whelan headed a Neil Jenkins centre straight at Freestone.

Stuart Thurgood replaced the injured Ian Selley in the first half and he performed well.
The second half was frustrating for Southend. They probably enjoyed the greater share of possession, but never really penetrated the Swansea goal. At the back however United were solid and never looked like conceding. How bizarre then that with only five minutes of the second period gone, Southend did concede. On the one only real occassion where the Shrimpers made a hash of clearing the ball, Feltcher suddenly blew his whistle and awarded a penalty. It all seemed unreal at first, Fletcher cautioned Beard so we can only presume that he was the man Fletcher decided to pick on, unfortunately I am unable to tell you quite what the spot kick was awarded for. Nevertheless James Thomas sent Flahavan the wrong way from the spot.

As Southend endeavoured to work their way back into the match Maher's drive was deflected just wide before the same player saw a curling free kick drop just wide of the target. At the other end Thomas, the only Swansea player who was making a real impact, dragged a shot wide of Flahavan's goal.

Substitute Steven Clark crossed into the area on 82 minutes were Belgrave saw his half volley fly inches wide of the post, before Fletcher finally made a positive decision in booking Freestone for his persistant timewasting. As time ticked away though, Swansea should have had another man sent off, Leigh De-Vulght being ever so lucky to get away with his attempted kung-fu kick at Damon Searle's head. Luckily De-Vulght just missed the shellshocked Searle and strangely was carried off himself, guilty conscience perhaps?

Whelan curled a shot off target following neat play by Belgrave, but Southend were unable to make the most of the seven minutes of injury time, and the Shrimpers slumped to their fourth successive defeat at the Vetch. Oh well, perhaps we'll have our strikefore back next week...

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com