Tilson's Eleven - A match report

[Southendsleeper]

Blimey, that first half was nerve wracking.

Seemed like our tactic was to defend deep, break up their attack and then try to score on the counter attack. Bradbury and Jupp werent coordinating too well, and Scunthorpe had they had a more incisive striker would have turned the game. A Barrett header back to Daryl at point blank range and Sodje defending like mad highlighted this.

Freddy. Wow. Received the ball, a short run through 4 defenders before burying it, I was amazed.

The linesman on our side got decision after decision wrong, and became subjected to the crowds abuse, ironic cheers for getting decisions right. A southend player takes a shot,the Scunthorpe keeper saves it the ball comes out to Bradbury who's offside....how?

Second half was a different matter, nerves settled by goal number 2, and then 3.

Only one yellow card that I could see but it wasnt that type of match, two teams who wanted to win, but the spark went out of it near the end and I wanted the ref to put Scunthorpe out of their misery.

I had a bet with the bloke next to me, no matter who we thought between us deserved man of the match, the sponsors would pick someone else. Would it be Bradbury who ran nonstop for 90 mins, Daryl who had some good saves (and the obligatory response to Daryl Daryl whats the score?) or maybe Goater scoring and usually involved. Man of the match - Adam Barrett....d'oh

And more importantly what the hell were the Blue Belles wearing? Was it Ali Baba and the 40 thieves theme night or something? Get that Southend kit back on

 

[Benfleetshrimp]

I personally thought tonight was a much better performance against a better team than last week.
Looks like Bradbury could be making that right midfield spot his.

Two funny moments from the bench. About 5 mins after Eastwood injured his knee Tilly shouts to Gower
Tilly. "G is he alright?" (pointing to Freddy)
Gower shrugs his shoulders
Tilly "Well go and ask him"

Even better
Tilly to Bradbury
Tilly. "Lee, tell Wayne to run in behind them"
Bradbury. Wayne........ Wayne Gray?"
Tilly. "Yes Wayne Gray  FFS"    

Well done boys that was a great performance and sends out a massive message to the rest of the division, Keep up or see ya!

 

[shrimper4life]

Brilliant goals especially from freddy. Thought 1st half looked a bit dodgy nad 2nd half was better but i felt we weren't really full throttle for the match. Was some times when we played really good football with some neat passees throughout

 

[Sebastian Weetabix]

Maybe I should have got drunk before the game. Im being as honest I can here by saying we were flattered. An Eastwood goal out of nothing, a simple tap in from Bradbury and a piece of brilliance from Gower to set up Goater secured a nice win but we weren't firing on four cylinders. At times we lost all shape and Scunny were using us for shooting practise. Three points, thank you very much but got to play better than that during the run in.

 

[Jai]

They had a lot of possession but didn't open us up once, Sodje and Barrett were superb, Barrett especially was absolutely everywhere where he needed to be and deserved his MOM.

Their defence was ridiculously shaky!

 

[Benfleetshrimp]

Quote[/b] (Sebastian Weetabix @ Mar. 10 2006,23:41)]Maybe I should have got drunk before the game. Im being as honest I can here by saying we were flattered. An Eastwood goal out of nothing, a simple tap in from Bradbury and a piece of brilliance from Gower to set up Goater secured a nice win but we weren't firing on four cylinders. At times we lost all shape and Scunny were using us for shooting practise. Three points, thank you very much but got to play better than that during the run in.

I sort of aggree with what you are saying. The thing is Scunthorpe came to win which if Im honest surprised me. I thought they would camp out on their goal line.
We took our chances and kept a clean sheet that will more than do for me.

 

[Mr Wooly]

Thought Scunny had the better of the first half, but only because we couldn't keep the ball. Keogh hardly had a kick and Barrett had Torpey in his (sizeable) pocket!

Second half was good performance - ball retained much better and solid at the back, backed up by two well worked goals. Can't complain, three goals and another clean sheet.

Incidently, since Sodje signed he's started every home league game bar one (Walsall) where he came on early doors for Spinner. We've only conceded one goal in that time, and that was a wonder goal from Brentford's DJ Campbell!

 

[mcshrimper]

I thought we played well in patches but allowed Scunny too much possession, which if it wasn't for our excellent defending, we would have been in trouble.  Flavs didn't really have that much to do.  Not the best performances but we won 3-0 and gained three points - the most important thing.

Although Barrett was emense, I would have given the MOTM to Sodje - he was absolutely everywhere and for me was his best performance since he joined.

UP THE SHRIMPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (Sebastian Weetabix @ Mar. 10 2006,23:41)]Maybe I should have got drunk before the game. Im being as honest I can here by saying we were flattered. An Eastwood goal out of nothing, a simple tap in from Bradbury and a piece of brilliance from Gower to set up Goater secured a nice win but we weren't firing on four cylinders. At times we lost all shape and Scunny were using us for shooting practise. Three points, thank you very much but got to play better than that during the run in.

Pretty much agree. Didn't think we started playing til we were 3-0 up (how on Earth did that third not get flagged for offside, by the way?!?!?).

Still a cracking opener from Eastwood, a clean-sheet and another three points clear of the pack. Not bad for a night's work.

 

[silentshrimper]

Quote[/b] (Benfleetshrimp @ Mar. 10 2006,22:41)]I personally thought tonight was a much better performance against a better team than last week.
Looks like Bradbury could be making that right midfield spot his.

Two funny moments from the bench. About 5 mins after Eastwood injured his knee Tilly shouts to Gower
Tilly. "G is he alright?" (pointing to Freddy)
Gower shrugs his shoulders
Tilly "Well go and ask him"

Even better
Tilly to Bradbury
Tilly. "Lee, tell Wayne to run in behind them"
Bradbury. Wayne........ Wayne Gray?"
Tilly. "Yes Wayne Gray FFS"

Well done boys that was a great performance and sends out a massive message to the rest of the division, Keep up or see ya!

haha that made me laugh

First half I thought if they could scra a goal in the game might have changed. We didnt play at our best, but as all good title winners do, we won 3-0 and dint play at our best.

Guttridge did some immense skill to beat 3 men on the touchline, shame about the poor cross.
Really hard to pick a man of the match. Great save from flavs to keep out that free kick, had to dive along way.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

I'm a bit surprised at some of the negative comments here. I thought it was a good, professional performance last night and you could tell which team were top of the league. We had that cutting edge in the final third whilst Scunny, for all their posession, never really threatened us. Their 2 strikers were poor although I was impressed with the right winger Cleveland Taylor. At the end of the day, we did the job and got the win, which is what we failed to do against Walsall. 3-0 was perhaps a little harsh on Scunny but we deserved the win and never looked like not winning.

As for individual performances, there were a few contenders for MoTM but my choice is Gower. Full of running all evening and was constantly causing Scunny problems down the wing. Got stuck in a bit too which is something he gets accused of not doing. Sodje also stood out for me and I think that was his best performance so far for us. Nothing got past him. Eastwood looked lively again, scored a great goal and seems to be hitting form just at the right time. Goater linked up with him well and it was nice to see Bradbury get his first goal which will hopefully boost his confidence.

Finally, 2 good refs in a row

and a much better atmosphere after all the discussion about it this week.