Barmy Army
Director
Failure to convert chances nearly cost us in this play-off challenging game, with the Shrimpers having about 5 real-good opportunities with which to take the lead.
Early on it could be seen that Darlo were going to play hoof ball all game, but instead away for the podgy Wingehard as opposed to the taller Armstrong. Darlo showed no great threat on the wings and their own hope in defense was the tall Clarke who won most contests in the air.
Gray had a fine effort tipped over the bar by the visiting keeper and Nicolau and Pettefer both whipped in numerous enticing crosses which just lacked the final touch to give us a goal. Lawrie didn't look as comfortable on the ball as he usually does, and Gray was doing the lion-share of the work up top. At the back Flavs was claiming crosses and making vital saves from goal-bound efforts, Che and Lewis were thwarting any possible attacks from the flanks and Barrett and Prior were winning all in the air with confidence.
At half-time I know I felt as though we should have been in-front.
The second half saw Darlo take up the tactic of wasting time, slow taking of free-kicks, petulant attempts to get further yardage along the touchline etc. etc.
Dudfield was put through on goal from a through-ball but being chased by 2 defenders and the keeper bearing down on him saw him hit his shot straight at the goalie's body.
There was a large spell of pressure from the Shrimpers which saw Darlo throw 6 behind the ball at all time to ensure that we didn't get any clear-cut opportunities.
Off went Gray to make way for Eastwood. I personally thought that it should have been Dudfield who made way for Fredy, but then again I'm not in the position to make the decision. Fredy defined confidence when he got on the ball, taking on defenders and playing the right ball to his team-mates.
A nice bit of link-up play between Benders and Fredy saw Bentley latch onto a seemingly impossible to get ball and crash his right-footed drive into the bottom-corner of the net. Cue celebrations.
However at 1-0 it didn't feel overly comfortable with Darlo now launching an aerial assault of Clarke and Armstrong on the home goal. A couple of near misses kept the score as it was.
Off went Dudfield, who looked tired, and on come Gower. Three minutes were indicated by the 4th official as Southend saw off another attack from the away team. Then Nicky broke down the left wing, played an accurate pass to Gower on the right, who found Eastwood in the middle for a turn, mis-control, and finally a left-footed goal.
2-0 the end-result.
Ratings:
Flavs - 8 - Made a number of good saves, good kicking apart from one occasion and claimed crosses.
Che - 8 - One of his best performances that I have seen. He did the simple things in defense, made good passes and linked up with Nicky on the left.
Prior - 8.5 - Won everything in the air and kept the partnership of Winjhard and Armstrong quiet. Close to MOM.
Barrett - 7.5 - An efficient performance, one of the guys who didn't stand out, but did what was asked of him.
Hunt - 8 - Right-back seems to be his best position, tough-tackling and good forward play showed his ability
Nicolau - 8 - Whipped in some great crosses that only needed a little touch to be converted, worked well for the team.
Bentley - 8 - The great 50-50 tackling that we know he can do was displayed today, a great finish for his goal.
Maher - 7/7.5 - I know I'll get flamed for this but today he was anonymous. In the second half I saw him touch the ball about 5 times, had he not been captain I'd have expected him to be subbed.
Pettefer - 8.5 - Never gives up and always looks to start an attack. Not the greatest attacking player but more than makes up for it with his determination. MOM
Gray - 8 - Great determination again, some nice link-up play but not a lot of chances to demonstrate his pace. Good contesting for headers and a great left-footed strike in the first-half.
Dudfield - 7 - First-touch looked heavy and didn't look like a real threat all day. Some nice link-up play, but should have made way earlier.
Subs:
Eastwood - 8 - Turned the game with his class and skill. Able to turn nothing situations into goals, great pass for the opener
Gower - 7 - Didn't get a great amount of time to play, but good cross for Fredy's goal.
Early on it could be seen that Darlo were going to play hoof ball all game, but instead away for the podgy Wingehard as opposed to the taller Armstrong. Darlo showed no great threat on the wings and their own hope in defense was the tall Clarke who won most contests in the air.
Gray had a fine effort tipped over the bar by the visiting keeper and Nicolau and Pettefer both whipped in numerous enticing crosses which just lacked the final touch to give us a goal. Lawrie didn't look as comfortable on the ball as he usually does, and Gray was doing the lion-share of the work up top. At the back Flavs was claiming crosses and making vital saves from goal-bound efforts, Che and Lewis were thwarting any possible attacks from the flanks and Barrett and Prior were winning all in the air with confidence.
At half-time I know I felt as though we should have been in-front.
The second half saw Darlo take up the tactic of wasting time, slow taking of free-kicks, petulant attempts to get further yardage along the touchline etc. etc.
Dudfield was put through on goal from a through-ball but being chased by 2 defenders and the keeper bearing down on him saw him hit his shot straight at the goalie's body.
There was a large spell of pressure from the Shrimpers which saw Darlo throw 6 behind the ball at all time to ensure that we didn't get any clear-cut opportunities.
Off went Gray to make way for Eastwood. I personally thought that it should have been Dudfield who made way for Fredy, but then again I'm not in the position to make the decision. Fredy defined confidence when he got on the ball, taking on defenders and playing the right ball to his team-mates.
A nice bit of link-up play between Benders and Fredy saw Bentley latch onto a seemingly impossible to get ball and crash his right-footed drive into the bottom-corner of the net. Cue celebrations.
However at 1-0 it didn't feel overly comfortable with Darlo now launching an aerial assault of Clarke and Armstrong on the home goal. A couple of near misses kept the score as it was.
Off went Dudfield, who looked tired, and on come Gower. Three minutes were indicated by the 4th official as Southend saw off another attack from the away team. Then Nicky broke down the left wing, played an accurate pass to Gower on the right, who found Eastwood in the middle for a turn, mis-control, and finally a left-footed goal.
2-0 the end-result.
Ratings:
Flavs - 8 - Made a number of good saves, good kicking apart from one occasion and claimed crosses.
Che - 8 - One of his best performances that I have seen. He did the simple things in defense, made good passes and linked up with Nicky on the left.
Prior - 8.5 - Won everything in the air and kept the partnership of Winjhard and Armstrong quiet. Close to MOM.
Barrett - 7.5 - An efficient performance, one of the guys who didn't stand out, but did what was asked of him.
Hunt - 8 - Right-back seems to be his best position, tough-tackling and good forward play showed his ability
Nicolau - 8 - Whipped in some great crosses that only needed a little touch to be converted, worked well for the team.
Bentley - 8 - The great 50-50 tackling that we know he can do was displayed today, a great finish for his goal.
Maher - 7/7.5 - I know I'll get flamed for this but today he was anonymous. In the second half I saw him touch the ball about 5 times, had he not been captain I'd have expected him to be subbed.
Pettefer - 8.5 - Never gives up and always looks to start an attack. Not the greatest attacking player but more than makes up for it with his determination. MOM
Gray - 8 - Great determination again, some nice link-up play but not a lot of chances to demonstrate his pace. Good contesting for headers and a great left-footed strike in the first-half.
Dudfield - 7 - First-touch looked heavy and didn't look like a real threat all day. Some nice link-up play, but should have made way earlier.
Subs:
Eastwood - 8 - Turned the game with his class and skill. Able to turn nothing situations into goals, great pass for the opener
Gower - 7 - Didn't get a great amount of time to play, but good cross for Fredy's goal.
