Friday October 01, 1971 - Division 4
Southend Utd (0) 2 (Garner 59', Albeson 66')
Southport (0) 1 (Field 72')
Venue: Roots Hall
KO: 7.30
Attendance: 10,316
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis. Sub: K Lindsey.
Southport: A Taylor, D Turner, B Sibbald, J McPhee, C Dunleavy, G Sharples, F Lee (T Field 70'), M Hartland, E Redrobe, N Lloyd, B Hartle.
Match Report
An excellent performance and an excellent result sent 10,316 United fans away happy from Roots Hall on Friday night. It was the biggest home gate of the season and a continuance of this form will ensure even bigger takings in the future, writes Alt Smirk.
While the result was most vitally important, not far behind in terms of crowd appreciation was the manner in which it was achieved.
Against felIow promotion aspirants, it was obvious this was going to be far from a push-over, yet even during a goalless first half there was enough interest to keep the spectators happy.
A combined assault for the first 20 minines of the second half which gave Blues a two-goal lead was what they had all paid their money to see. Their interest and involvement became even greater when the visitors pulled back a goal but never, apart from suicidal tendencies, was United’s superiority and eventual victory in any real doubt.
The first 45 minutes of non-scoring stalemate was due entirely to two magnificent defences. But whereas United’s back four looked likely to submit only by accident, their designs up front were only frustrated by the dour tactics of the opposing rear line.
On territorial advantage and ascendancy alone, United could well have been a couple of goals in front at the interval, but goal-keeper Alan Taylor, Chris Dunleavy and his co-defenders, deserved full marks for still being in with a chance at the hallway stage.
It was a different tale immediately after the resumption. And one felt that Manager Arthur Rowley had voiced some caustic comments during the break. Always dangerous when attacking down the line, United had failed to use this ploy enough in the first half, but on the restart, Bernie Lewis and Terry Johnson were brought more and more into the picture.
And this continual attacking around the flanks to get in behind the opposing back four paid big dividends.
As both Lewis and Johnson , resorted to a natural wingers’ game, the Southport defenders conceded corner after corner to relieve the pressure. But, as was eventually proved, safety corners are not always as safe as they might appear to be.
United skipper Joe Jacques flighted a free-kick into the Southport penalty area in the 59th minute and Bob Sibbald took the line of least resistance and put the ball behind for the umpteeth corner. But this time, Terry Johnson’s flag-kick was met perfectly by Bill Garner’s head to power the ball high into the roof of the net. A real picture goal!
It was from another “safety” corner seven minutes later, the third of a series in less than a minute, that Blues went further ahead. This time, Johnson’s kick was only partially cleared and Brian Albeson, lurking on the edge of the area, crashed his shot a through a crowd of players into the net for his first goal for the club.
United were by now well on top and it came as a surprise when Southport got back into the game when they reduced the arrears in the 72nd minute. Tony Field, their most prolific scorer, had been kept on the substitute’s bench probably as a precaution after being injured at Aldershot two days previously. But brought on for Francis Lee, he had been on the park only two minutes when his ‘ shot front 20 yards was deflected past John Roberts.
With visions of a point from nothing, Southport hit back for the equaliser but their threat was short-lived. United soon settled down again and were in complete command again before the end.
They were still on the attack just before the whistle went when Johnson’s piledriver from the corner of the box scraped the crossbar on its way over.
All-in-all, a grand performance. There still just a little touch of uncertainty at the back when the ball is runnIng clear across the United penalty area as to whose job it is to do what. Otherwise the defence is stronger than it has been for many seasons.
Jacques and Albeson have resumed an understanding they had when playing together with Darlington, while Ray Ternent and Alex Smith on their flanks are both overlapping and recovering quickly to the advantage of everyone.
Dave Elliott and Gary Moore provide strength and power in midfield, although Eiliott’s distribution sometimes lets him down, and Moore, alter a long string of injuries and illness needs about another month to recover a lost yard of mobility.
The front line Is going better than it has ever done, thanks mainly to the penetration of the two wingers playing as such. With Lewis and Johnson capable of taking on any defence in the division, the command of Bill Garner in the air for their crosses and the nip of Billy Best on to half-chances, United should finish the season well up with the highest goal-scorers.
The result was most important from everybody’s point of view because it wasn’t achieved against a “mug” side. Southport could stiII be well in the running for honours when the season ends. It was most rewarding for Untied as it was their first League victory against Southport in five meetings.
League Table
Garner heads first goal
...and the fans celebrate
