Post-Match Thread and Ratings Ebbsfleet 0-4 Southend United

[Mad Cyril]

Any chance of the club arranging some flights to Newcastle?

 

[tallboyblue]

This club does me in. Genuinely can’t handle it

You have seen nothing yet.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

SOUTHEND United breathed life back into their play-off push with a convincing 4-0 win at Ebbsfleet United this afternoon.

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Convincing win - Southend United triumphed 4-0 at Ebbsfleet United (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

SOUTHEND United breathed life back into their play-off push with a convincing 4-0 win at Ebbsfleet United this afternoon.

The Shrimpers ended a run of three games without a win by brushing aside their already relegated hosts in fine fashion – thanks to goals from Charley Kendall, Oli Coker, Macauley Bonne and Josh Walker.

And results elsewhere mean Blues are now just two points behind the top seven with two games to go.

Southend were again roared on by a huge travelling support, with their 1,640 fans actually outnumbering Ebbsfleet’s supporters.

But, despite the final score-line, the Kent club threatened first with ex Blues midfielder George Moncur seeing an early free-kick pushed away by Southend goalkeeper Nick Hayes before the Blues hit back with Keenan Appiah-Forson having a goalbound effort blocked by the head of Mustapha Olagunju.

Moments later the Shrimpers came even closer to scoring with Ben Goodliffe smacking a stunning 30 yard shot against the inside of the right post.

But Blues were not to be denied for long and broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with Kendall netting his third goal since signing in December.

The striker showed good speed and strength to dart into the left hand side of the penalty area before scoring with a low, left footed shot which hit the back of the net via the inside of the right post.

The Shrimpers came close to extending their lead when Tom Hopper’s header from Jack Bridge’s left wing cross was smartly saved by Mark Cousins who then also made an impressive stop at the start of the second half as he tipped a 14 yard shot from Coker over the crossbar.

Blues threatened again just past the hour mark when Coker’s left wing corner was headed back towards goal by Gus Scott-Morriss – only for Hopper to narrowly miss making contact with the ball at the far post.

However, Southend stayed on top and made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute when Bridge again got the better of Maxx Manktelow down the left hand side before delivering an accurate cross into the path of Coker who brought the ball under control neatly and netted with a well-taken right-footed shot.

Six minutes later, Blues boss Kevin Maher made a double change with Hopper and an injured Kendall making way for Josh Walker and Bonne in attack.

And, with 76 minutes on the clock, the new look strike-force combined to make it 3-0 as Walker showed good strength in the right hand side of the penalty area before delivering a low cross-shot Bonne was able to tap home at the far post.

Blues soon made a trio of changes with Cav Miley, George Wind and Leon Parillon replacing Noor Husin, Scott-Morriss and Bridge.

But Blues remained on the front foot and sealed their win with a fourth goal in the 90th minute as Parillon’s left wing cross found the on-rushing Walker who scored with a neatly taken effort into the top left hand corner of the net to give Southend their second 4-0 win against Ebbsfleet this season.

 

[Blue Yonder]

Pleased that the much maligned Bridge, Coker and Husin played their part today. Good players.

 

[Blue Yonder]

… and Bonne

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Happily, there are other sides who appear keener than us to f**k it up! Totally amazed the season is still alive. Whilst many are looking forward to Gateshead, next Saturday ain't going to be easy. Wealdstone are desperate for points to avoid the drop. Eventually, a good performance against a very poor Ebbsfleet side but the score will help our goal difference and hopefully boost the confidence following three disappointing results

 

[Callum]

Strikers in form ready for the plays off two wins we are there watch out other teams here comes Southend

 

[Supershrimper]

Anyone for Gateshead away?

Booked onto Blues on Tour coach already. Hopefully it will be a party atmosphere on the long drive back

 

[Fitz]

Anyone else noticed Kev's testimonial is a day after 4th v 7th Play Off Eliminator..Can see that being rearranged if we somehow make the playoffs

 

[overseas shrimper]

Wondering if the FA will see 3 of our forwards scored and decide to dope test them.

 

[Tinks]

At last a win and goals scored by strikers.
When was the last time 3 strikers scored in a match?

Ebbsfleet were a very poor side so we had to take our chances and put some goals away.
With two games to go we can only hope everything goes our way and IF (AND I EMPHASISE) we get into the playoffs let’s all hope we can find some form.

Well done all those that went today

 

[Shrimper]

Any chance of the club arranging some flights to Newcastle?

Would that even be feesable? Would cost a lot

 

[Streaky]

Would that even be feesable? Would cost a lot

If it less than £200 I’m in.

 

[hlane17]

4 goals, still in the playoff hunt, not much more you could ask for. UTFB

 

[BriggBlue]

If it less than £200 I’m in.

Put a zero on the end and you'll be closer

 

[Shrimper]

If it less than £200 I’m in.

It won't be

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Just back in Leigh on Sea. Well at 1-0 I was worried we’d see us again have chances we would regret not putting away. But somehow, in the rain, we overwhelmed Ebbsfleet who to be fair, didn’t put up much in the way of a fight. Somehow, play offs are still on. Somehow, not one but three actual strikers scored in one match. A raucous train journey back and the poor shoppers at Westfield must’ve wondered what was going on. Great away day

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I liked the look of that side when it was named and it duly did the business. It looked much better balanced, had ability on the ball in midfield and running up front. What’s up with Morton? Not even on the bench. Was surprised to see Noor take over from him instead of Miley but it gave us more on the ball. That will be one to look out for in the close season when players are moved on.

Up front Hopper and Kendall looked a much better balanced forward line than in recent weeks. Kendall scored the opening goal which neither of Bonne nor Hopper would have had the pace to, he raced onto a wayward header back to finish superbly. So many of his Eastbourne goals on the highlights looked like that but we don’t often get to counter because teams don’t get very far forward against us as we tend to outplay them in terms of territory and possession.

Ebbsfleet were as open as you’d expect a team carrying Moncur would be. They left loads of space through the middle but it was down our left with the recalled Bridge impressing and linking up well with Coker that we continually threatened. The two home grown products combining as well as any players have for us since we lost Wes’ intelligence. It was therefore no surprise when another Bridge run down the left, with him turning the Ebbsfleet defender inside out, saw a chance for Coker who loves to take up intelligent positions. Coker finished emphatically, having earlier tried to place a similar sort of chance which the keeper saved.

We then saw the advantages of rotation when the fresh legs of Josh Walker saw him hold off the impressive Olagunju (wasn’t expecting to be impressed by a defender in a side who ships so many but he looked a good size, athletic and comfortable on the ball - worth another look I reckon) and his cross-shot fall to his fellow sub Bonne unmarked (and offside?) who couldn’t miss, and then our final sub Parillon teed up Walker to score.

With Halifax and Gateshead both losing you couldn’t have scripted this any better - other than avoiding that late rain shower.

With two games to go it’s all in our hands.

 

[Shrimper Brownie]

So away at Oldham or Rochdale in the playoffs if we win our next 2.

Professional performance today, hopefully that builds confidence to do the same to Wealdstone

How is the home/away element decided? Would we play away vs Oldham for example as we finished below

 

[Happyshrimp]

4th plays 7th winner plays 3rd
5th plays 6th winner plays 2nd