Official Match Thread Southend United v Oxford City

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are, our seventh home game in the Vanarama National League of the 2023/24 season. This is the Dream Team’s 50th home game in charge since Kevin Maher and his management team were appointed at the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 7th home game is against Oxford City



It is now time for ALL of us to get behind him and the team whether you are at Roots Hall, listening on the radio, listening on Blues TV, or watching on National League TV Stream, you can all still make that famous "Roots Hall Roar”.

Our 7th Southend United Vanarama National League Home Team of the 2023/24 season



The Roots Hall pitch is ready for action at 19.45 pm Tuesday 3rd October 2023 against Oxford City. It looks like we will have clear sky with a gentle breeze for this evening’s game at Roots Hall. The temperature will be around 15°C but feel like 15°C.





Here is the weather forecast for this afternoon’s game at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 6 home games

Won 4
Dawn 0
Lost 2
Goals scored 13
Goals conceded 6

League Positions Last Season

8th (2022/23 Season) Vanarama National League Southend United
3rd (2022/23 Season) Vanarama National League South Oxford City (Promoted via Play Offs)

League Positions Current Season

23rd (2023/24 Season) Vanarama National League Southend United
20th (2023/24 Season) Vanarama National League Oxford City

Recent League Position Change


Previous Meetings

We have never played Oxford City before in a competitive match before, although did beat them 10-1 in a pre-season tournament in Berlin all the way back in 1910.

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Oxford City Wins: 0

Current Form

Southend United D L W L D D
Oxford City W D D L L L

Current Form Table (Last 6 Games)



Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Oxford City

Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins did not do a pre-match interview before travelling over to Roots Hall for this afternoon’s game here is their preview​

Oxford City Manager Ross Jenkins​

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Southend United ​

Keven Maher’s interview on Youtube before this evening’s game with Oxford City

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Keven Maher did not speak to the Southend OS before this evening’s game with Oxford City

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Kevin Maher says Harry Cardwell could become a “hero” for Blues fans after the striker notched a brace against Rochdale to move onto nine goals for the season.

It’s a remarkably tally with the campaign not even two months old, and his latest goals inspired a superb comeback from two goals down in the north west.

On Cardwell, our Head Coach says: “I said to him after the game that he’s getting his just rewards for all the work he puts in. Hopefully he can carry that on, the fans love their centre-forwards here and he’s becoming one that can be a hero for them.

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In the last few years the top scorer here has been too low, so hopefully we can keep giving Cards good chances in the right areas because he can certainly finish.”

Reflecting on the draw at The Crown Oil Arena, Maher added: “There’s so much to be positive about with the way we’ve come back from two goals down away from home when it looked like the game might get away from us.

“We’re delighted with that – going away from home and getting a point is never that bad, so we’re pleased with that and pleased with the character we showed.”

Blues now turn their attentions to a sixth game in 18 days, a relentless schedule and one that’s taking its toll on the lads.

“There’s obviously fatigue there. Our position means it’s difficult to make changes. The injuries affect training as well because you want to rest players with knocks as much as you can.

“We’ve got to go again, the lads have shown unbelievable energy, and with the crowd behind them for a night game, we’ll be ready.”

The game is against Oxford City, last season’s National League South play-off winners. “It’s important we put in a good performance and we’ll see where that takes us. Oxford are a team that want to play and create chances, and going forward, they’re a danger.”

Maher gave an injury update on the quartet of players that are currently out. “To give him as long as possible, Wes travelled with us on Saturday but he didn’t quite make it. Ralphy’s still a bit away, that’s dragged on a little bit.

“Collin’s still out and we’re waiting on the results of a scan for Callum Powell. Injuries hurt us more than most teams; there’s not loads we can do about it, so the sooner we get them all back, the better.”

Link

Link

Kevin Maher spoke to the Chris Phillips at the Echo before this evening’s game with Oxford City

Southend United Manager Kevin Maher​

Southend United boss Kevin Maher is focusing firmly on football ahead of Tuesday night's clash with Oxford City at Roots Hall.

Justin Rees and the consortium he heads up are edging ever closer to taking control of the Shrimpers during a huge 48 hours for the club.

But Maher is only thinking about tomorrow evening’s encounter.

“All we can control is what happens on the grass,” said Maher.

“That’s our focus.

“Things go on here but fingers crossed we’ll come out the other side and we can look forward to a bright future.

“All we can do is focus on football.

“It’s a big week for the football club and hopefully we come out the other side of it.”

Link to story

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Big Preview

Southend United v Oxford City

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After two good points on the road, Blues return to Roots Hall this evening looking to get back to winning ways at home.

Going into our last home game against AFC Fylde, Kevin Maher’s men had won four from five in south Essex, a run that extended to seven victories from eight if you include last season. However, we fell to defeat to the Coasters 2-1.

The draw at Rochdale at the weekend saw Harry Cardwell score twice to enable us to come from behind. The striker’s first brace of the campaign means he’s now on nine goals for the season – only Marcus Dinanga has more in the National League.

After tonight’s game and the match against Woking on Saturday, Blues will have played 15 games just two months into the season, a remarkable tally so early.

Five wins and three draws from the first 13 is a solid return given the circumstances, and a win this evening could see Blues rise as high as 19th.

THE OPPOSITION

National League debutants Oxford City are competing in England’s fifth tier for the first time in their history.

Promoted from the National League South via the play-offs last term, the Hoops have had enjoyed a respectable start to life in the National League.

Despite sitting just outside the relegation zone Ross Jenkins’ outfit are competing well given their budget which is dwarfed by most other clubs in the division.

Following on from promotion, the Hoops had appeared to lose their momentum with City losing each of their opening three games – conceding eight goals in the process.

However, they were able to respond well to this and went on a seven-game unbeaten run prior to back-to-back 4-0 defeats against Oldham Athletic and Gateshead.

This seven-game unbeaten consisted of just two wins but they were high scoring ones – 4-0 against Boreham Wood and 5-2 at home to Hartlepool United. Last time out Oxford lost 2-1 to Altrincham live on TNT Sports.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

We’ve never played Oxford City in a competitive match before, although did beat them 10-1 in a pre-season tournament in Berlin all the way back in 1910.

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FROM THE GAFFER

Kevin Maher was asked about Harry Cardwell’s superb form in Monday’s pre-match press conference. “I said to him after the game that he’s getting his just rewards for all the work he puts in.

“Hopefully he can carry that on, the fans love their centre-forwards here and he’s becoming one that can be a hero for them.

“In the last few years the top scorer here has been too low, so hopefully we can keep giving Cards good chances in the right areas because he can certainly finish.”

TEAM NEWS

Wes Fonguck is close to a return. Nathan Ralph, Collin Andeng Ndi, Callum Powell and Louis Lomas are still out.

Brooklyn Kabongolo could make his home debut.

TICKETS

Spaces in all three home stands are available and the best way to secure yours is online. The link above will be live all the way up until kick-off.

The ticket office is open now if you’d rather purchase in person.

REF WATCH

Kirsty Dowle officiates her second Blues game already this season, the first being the 2-1 defeat to Bromley.

In total she’s been in the middle for four games in the National League and National League South in 2023/24, showing 17 yellow cards and no reds.

Dowle’s assistants are Thomas Whay and Richard Carter, and the fourth official is Elliott Mayer.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ELSEWHERE?

Chesterfield have arguably their toughest test of the season today as they host Bromley, who are unbeaten in 11. Barnet could end the night at the summit if the Spireites lose and the Bees beat AFC Fylde.

Halifax and Dagenham are both on long winless runs, and look to snap those streaks against Woking and York respectively. Boreham Wood haven’t won in their last four and host Hartlepool on Wednesday.

Altrincham v Aldershot Town
Barnet v AFC Fylde
Chesterfield v Bromley
Dagenham & Redbridge v York City
Dorking Wanderers v Kidderminster Harriers
Eastleigh v Ebbsfleet United
Gateshead v Wealdstone
Oldham Athletic v Maidenhead United
Solihull Moors v Rochdale
Woking v FC Halifax Town
Boreham Wood v Hartlepool United (Wednesday 19:45)

HOW TO FOLLOW

Anyone who can’t attend Roots Hall can stream the match live on National League TV! Click here to buy a match pass.

Blues TV is not currently available as we move over to a new digital platform. BBC Essex commentary will still be available on 95.3FM & DAB and also on the BBC Sport website and app.

Another option is to follow live minute-by-minute updates on social media via the club’s official Twitter account by following @SUFCRootsHall, which will mean you get all our exclusive content throughout the 2023/24 season.

Link to story

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BBC Essex Radio Link

BBC Essex Link


Watch on Vanarama National League TV Live Stream



Register and sign up below, Match Pass £9.50

National League TV

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Oxford City Team

 

[The Big Dady]

It's Party Time At The Hall!​

CLUB STATEMENT: SALE OF THE CLUB

The official website of Southend United FC

www.southendunited.co.uk

We can confirm that an agreement for the sale of the Club has been reached with a consortium led by Justin Rees. Everyone is working towards a completion date of 1 November 2023, that is when the consortium will formally take control of the Club.

The collaborative approach to agreeing this deal would not have been possible without the support of creditors and the assistance from the Leader of Southend City Council.

We recognise that this has been a stressful time for all associated with the Club. We would like to thank our staff for their incredible loyalty and also thank all our stakeholders for their patience.

 

[The Big Dady]

It's Party Time!

 

[The Original Tribal Chief]

Prediction:

Southend 9, Oxford City 0

 

[BriggBlue]

Prediction:

Southend 9, Oxford City 0

Cardwell to get all 9

 

[The Big Dady]

Prediction:

Southend 9, Oxford City 0

I would rather 10-1 again

 

[Kenny]

Kev: Justin is going to be a breath of fresh air for the club.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1709265809183568179

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

West Stand Ticket Office NOT open = sell out?

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

In Athens in a posh hotel with a good wifi conection but still can't get BBC Essex's pre-match coverage,

 

[Holy Joe]

West Stand Ticket Office NOT open = sell out?

Cut backs

 

[Holy Joe]

Players are out warming up

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

Cut backs

Fair enough

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

In Athens in a posh hotel with a good wifi conection but still can't get BBC Essex's pre-match coverage,

Working now,

 

[thenobster]

Nothing still

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

Still 25 mins to go before KO. And people are pouring into the West Stand. Seemingly no lsst minute arrivals tonight. Everyone wants to be a part of the party.

 

[Bluegoose]

Nothing still

or here in Portugal

 

[Boreham Blue]

Would be good to hear some Tom Lawrence chants tonight. Think we will learn more about what an instrumental role he has played in our survival.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Nothing still

Essex - Listen Live - BBC Sounds

Listen live to BBC Essex on BBC Sounds

www.bbc.co.uk

This is good (untl KO).