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Southend did not deserve to lose by such a margin; there is no doubt about that - the only problem is they deserved to lose by more. Swindon, a side struggling bady just one point from the foot of Division Two and with one win in thirteen matches were made to look like world beaters against a side who were not fir to clean their opponents boots.
Newman's pre-match 'battle cry' was that he will be travelling to Wiltshire 'to win'. Well, perhaps Newman went there to win, but his team certainly didn't and apparently had absolutely no intention to. Southend were a disgrace, and the 70 or so hardy supporters were left embarassed by their team of no-hopers. There was no commitment, no idea, no motivation and certainly no chance of a result.
The sign of things to come came just ten minutes into the match when the home side scored one of the most bizarre goals your likely to see, and goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan must be man enough to stand up and take complete blame. To be beaten by Johnnie Jackson's completely misfired free-kick from almost 40 yards is completely uncomprehendable. It had little pace, it was in the centre of the goal and at the perfect height for a goalkeeper, the fact that Flahavan dived for the ball and still got nowhere near it indicates amateur goalkeeping at its very best. And thats just how Southend's performance, particularly defending, was. Amateur.
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Swindon were an average side, that was there for all to see and when Southend came forward the home side were rather concerned. Jay Smith curled a neat effort just off target on 20 minutes before Steve Tilson's corner saw Town keeper Bart Griemink fumble Leon Cort's header before the ball dropped to Phil Whelan who stabbed the ball over the crossbar. United equalised on 23 minutes. A pinpont low cross by Steven Clark was dummied by Barrington Belgrave and found Graeme Jones in space 15 yards from goal, Jones took a touch before neatly slooting the ball past the advancing Griemink into the bottom right hand corner.
Typically, the Shrimpers weren't on level terms for long, as just a minute later dozy United were caught fast asleep at the back as Jimmy Davis was allowed far too much freedom to run through completely unchecked before slipping a low 20 yard drive past Flahavan.
In what was actually a rather open first half, Tilson's 32nd minute free kick fell to Belgrave who's snapshot was deflected inches wide of the post. A great 35 yard effort from Jones then brought the very best out of Griemink, pushing the ball around the upright.
Dominate midfielder Davis then headed a David Duke cross over the top as Souythend's marking once again came into question before a rather harsh free kick against Clark for which he amazingly was cautioned, saw Andy Gurney smash the ball against the top of the post with Flahavan well and truly beaten. However it was only seconds later, and on the stroke of half time that Town notched their third with Southend's defence in complete disarray. Jackson's tame corner was somehow never cleared and with numerous navy blue shirts standing and watching Matthew Heywood strolled in to head past Flahavan from close range.
The first half may have been a somewhat open encounter, but the second half, I'm afraid, was completely one way traffic as Southend seemed to lay down and die. The fourth goal coming just four minutes after the restart, Sam Parkin allowed a free run down the right wing before slipping a ball across goal where Danny Invincibile, completely unmarked, had the simple task of tapping into an unguarded net with Flahavan floundering in no mans land.
It was amazing that Swindon didn't further their tally on more occassions in the second period, but they did come close. Heywood sent a long range effort zipping just wide on 54 minutes before, five minutes later, Flahavan did well to hold Gurney's stinging effort from 25 yards.
Stefani Miglioranzi curled a shot just over on 64 minutes before Steven Clark, following his ludicrous first half booking, was sent-off by referee Paul Armstrong for a second caution on 70 minutes.
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The sixth goal arrved in the final minute, Gurney's fine throughball finding Parkin who run clean through before nonchantely knocking the ball past Flahavan.
I feel that no more needs to be said.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com