At least it was more like a wake than a funeral but at the end the actual game summed up the season; We passed the ball around nicely, the defenders gave their all, Darryl made an outstanding save(s), we let in four goals, (beats three), and got nil points. It might be Wembley for the Saints but it's certainly Walsall for us.
The day began by being dropped off at Victoria coach station for a five hour return coach trip to Southampton at the outrageous fare of two pounds each way. (Don't think they'll be too many funfares to Hartlepool next season!) It would have been quicker if we didn't make stops at Heathrow airport and Basingstoke. I can take Winchester but why Basingstoke? It takes an hour to get around the ring roads.
In a town full of pubs the 1pm kick off time on a Sunday was annoying but my real ale nose sniffed out the horrible and pretentiously named 'Angel of the South' selling Courage Best. Filled with Saints shirts, a barman who had not seen a shower for a while, a tape that seemed stuck in a music hell, I should have moved on. However, as it was open at 11.30, I forced my way in.
A cloudy day with outbreaks of sun made for a great atmosphere for the 32,008 crowd packed into the excellent St. Mary's stadium. The away end a complete sell out. Well done everybody.
The Alan Ball family appeared for an emotional ceremony with a minute's applause as Saints staged their first home game since the death of their legendary former player and manager.
For Southampton a win would confirm a play off place, while the Blues were without arguably their three key players in Freddy Eastwood, Mark Gower, and captain Kevin Maher, they appeared unlikely to spoil the party. The boys didn't, we had our own.
Adam Barrett did cheer us up by volleying the opening goal after 12 minutes following a fine move and Forans knock down. A good 20 yards out it was a fantastic strike.
It now seemed as if we were determined not to bow out of the Championship with a whimper, and Chris Baird did well to clear a Richie Foran cross with Lee Bradbury lurking.
Foran then sent a header narrowly over from Alan McCormack's cross with Southampton reeling.
Sadly Saints eventually settled and Best headed over from a Gareth Bale cross and Jones saw an effort scrambled off the line before the Trinidad and Tobago international got them back on level terms.
Bale swung in a brilliant cross from the left towards the unmarked Jones, who powerfully headed past Darryl from close range.
Former Southampton keeper Flahavan then pulled off a stunning save to keep the scores level, tipping Jones' fierce drive on to the crossbar.
Lundekvam was carried off after falling awkwardly, a suspected broken leg, but the hosts started the second half like a train and were ahead after just three minutes when Jones challenged Flahavan for a high ball.
The Shrimpers keeper dropped it at the feet of defender Peter Clarke, who attempted to clear from under the crossbar only to balloon the ball high in the air and back on to the goal line, where Best tapped home.
Djamel Belmadi had a shot blocked, and Jones went through one-on-one with Flahavan only to shoot into the keeper's chest, as Saints, who have not been averse to throwing away leads this season, pressed for a killer third.
They were rewarded with two goals in a minute — the first through Best after he latched onto substitute Rudi Skacel's cross and buried the ball past Darryl.
And moments later Best broke clear again and was brought down by Flahavan, but Jones saved referee Nigel Miller a penalty decision and giving Darryl a possible red card by rifling the loose ball home.
That was that. As the Saints fans tried to taunt us, and with 15 minutes left, the Blue Army took over and started singing "The Great Escape" over and over again. After being stunned into silence the home fans found their voice and St Marys began to shake. Goals at the other end or not the Blues fans continued singing throughout the home sides goal celebrations, congas were now breaking out all over the place, led by guys in hula skirts. The police, who had been a touch boring earlier on, ("BE....HAVE"), gave up and just sat down on the edge of the pitch waiting for the final whistle. The home fans on both sides of the away end gave up and applauded the Southend supporters. Amazing. (I knew something was up at half time when I was asked to pass the sugar by Spider-Man.)
The players and Bushy returned to applaud the faithfull's final effort of the 2006/07 season.
Farewell to Spinner, great to see him come on at the end and even bow to the supporters. It is us that should bow to you, a great servant to Southend United and an even better player. Good Luck in your future life.
The Blue's excellent away support certainly ended the season in a style the team on the pitch could not always match but I still hope the majority of the players stay and are given the chance to get us straight back up. It was not all doom and gloom, a far more entertaining season than the last relegation from the second tier, and in Tilly and Brush we still have one of the best young management teams in the country. We will need plenty of fight and a fair slice of luck, it's going to be a tough year, but with some astute signings we can do it. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
Player Ratings-
Flahavan; 6 - Deserves to start next season but if we are ever to progress at a higher level Darryl will have to be replaced. I'm sorry but his height and lack of ability at commanding his area, especially at set pieces, has returned to haunt us over the final few games of the season.
Flahavan; 6 - Deserves to start next season but if we are ever to progress at a higher level Darryl will have to be replaced. I'm sorry but his height and lack of ability at commanding his area, especially at set pieces, has returned to haunt us over the final few games of the season.
Francis; 6 - Thought he had one of his more consistant games for the club as the pressure was off. Solid tackles and some trademark runs up the wing. Passing not his best skill though but worth preserving with.
Hammell; 6 - Saints seemed to have 6ft 6 strikers all over the place who attacked with great strength and no little skill, poor Stevie was just bowled over at times yet we know what he can do. Hope he stays.
Barrett; 7 - Now for what seems 80% of the season, certainly the last third, when we were letting in goals by the dozen, the two central defenders have been consistently the best two players on the pitch for Southend. (I include Sodje and Prior in that.) However, they can only keep the finger in the dyke for so long as well as showing the quality of forwards we have had to come up against on a weekly basis. The team as a whole has to take responsibility for our defensive shortcomings. (No pun intended Darryl.) However, like Darryl, Tilly will eventually have to be ruthless. Both these two might be able to survive, even prosper, in League One, but at a higher level one would have to go. (Deserves a point for his goal anyway, magic.)
Clarke - 8 - MOM - Played as he has since returning to his best position. Up against two of the best forwards in the division he gave everything, continually breaking up Southampton attacks with last ditch tackles but still getting up to make the perfect pass to start an attacking option. Sadly, seems to make one mistake every game, and in this division they have been clinically punished. Hopefully looks at Blackpool's season with a smile on his face and decides to stay, if he does I'm sure we are a top six side next season.
JCR; 6 - With no Freddie or Mark every midfield pass tried to find JC who looked knackered as his tricks seem to have faded. No shortage of effort and never hid but a spark has gone out. Must stay.
MacCormack: 6 - Missed Captain Kev to play off Alan seemed a touch lost at times. Though that's not what some of the Saints midfield would say as the Mac sliding tackle was felt by them at full force, let alone his arguing with the ref. Nearly kept us up but it all seemed to get to him at the end. Never forget that Preston volley though!
Moussa: 7 - The Moose is here to stay. A very promising second game and looks a great prospect. The game flowed by him at times, not surpassingly, but his passing ability was Maher like and a player that a year in a lower division will do no harm to at all. Well done Frank.
Foran; 6 - No doubting his fight for the cause charging all over the pitch however his confidence seems low especially in front of goal. After Burnley I felt we had the real thing, let's hope it turns to Coke after all and not Tesco extra value.
Hooper; 5 - Not match fit, seemed to have learnt far too much of Orient ways. Enjoy the close season Gary and let's see you up for it sometime in August.
Hooper; 5 - Not match fit, seemed to have learnt far too much of Orient ways. Enjoy the close season Gary and let's see you up for it sometime in August.
Bradbury; 6 - Brought the ball down with such skill at times it embarrassed his colleagues. It then seems a shame to see Lee clatter opposition defenders who are just too good for him as his frustration takes over. Never the same since his last injury I would say thanks and let him go.
SUB: Harrold; 5 - On for Hooper, we were playing how many touches he actually got while on. Some say two, the fact some said none sums it up. Once, as the ball was played in one direction, he went the other. A three year contract, can this be true?
SUB: Harrold; 5 - On for Hooper, we were playing how many touches he actually got while on. Some say two, the fact some said none sums it up. Once, as the ball was played in one direction, he went the other. A three year contract, can this be true?
That's all folks, only 14 weeks to go, enjoy!