Eastwood opened the scoring after eleven minutes following a goalmouth scramble prior to Kevin Maher side-footing his first goal in 14 months and Che Wilson scoring his second goal ever for the Blues to make it 3-0.
Southend made just two changes to the side that drew with Walsall last Saturday, as Freddy Eastwood returned to the staring eleven following suspension, and Che Wilson was also re-instated. Mitchell Cole and Spencer Prior were the two players to make way, following their injuries during last Saturday’s goalless draw, as Adam Barrett was moved from left-back to centre-back to accommodate Wilson, whilst Lee Bradbury moved from his usual berth as a striker to right-wing as Eastwood partnered Shaun Goater in attack.
Mark Yeates was at the centre of the opening few minutes of the game, and he would prove to be tormented by Duncan Jupp all afternoon. He’s first minute shot from the edge of the penalty area flew just over the top of Darryl Flahavan’s crossbar, when the former Tottenham winger should have scored. Shortly afterwards Yeates had another attempt, this time seeing his 25-yard shot deflect off of Adam Barrett’s hamstring and straight into the arms of Flahavan,.
How things could have been different for
Scenes of unexplainable joy were present at both Roots Hall with the big screen and in the away areas at Layer Road, and it wasn’t long before those fans were sent rising from their seats once again.
Following a headed clearance from Adam Barrett inside the Blues penalty area, Freddy Eastwood picked up the ball and played a spontaneous one-two with Bradbury again, before passing to Shaun Goater whose perfectly placed lay-off was calmly placed into the goalkeeper’s left-hand corner from 18 yards out. Jubilation followed and the expression of absolute passion in Kevin Maher’s celebration will stay with those who witnessed it for the rest of time.
Before the
Mark Gower moved the ball into the feet of Shaun Goater who, with his back to goal played a deceiving ball into Che Wilson, and the former Bristol Rovers full back somehow managed to squeeze past the right-back at the by-line and strike the ball in at Davison’s near post, to cause pandemonium amongst the away supporters, and utter shock amongst the home supporters.
Just past the half hour and
The beginning of the second half was almost as explosive as the start of the first, as Freddy Eastwood’s trickery and dangerous cross into the penalty area was nearly met with a flying volley by Luke Guttridge, but the tough-tackling midfielder failed to make contact with the ball, which was a little to far forward for him.
Neil Danns was once again at the centre of the
With ten minutes left, the U’s made one more unsuccessful rally at the Shrimpers goal line, but it was to no avail as Richard Garcia’s shot cannoned off of the underside of the crossbar before Luke Guttridge completed the clearance.
Just like last season, Southend United hold automatic promotion in their own hands…hopefully Steve Tilson will guide the blues to the League Title come May, rather than the Play-Offs!
By Adam Duffill
www.thelittlegazette.com