Match Report |
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Southend 1 Swansea 1 | |
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Southend 1 Swansea 1 - Peter and Bethan Charles
On 24 minutes it was the first piece of real class play which brought our goal. Bodde struck a fine cross-field pass which travelled forty yards to land on the toe of Butler, who controlled brilliantly before surging into the box and drawing a clear foul from his marker a nailed-on penalty. Scotland gave the keeper the eyes, inviting him to fall to his left, before calmly stroking the ball into the middle of the net. At this point we were getting on top and we exerted more pressure without creating a clear-cut chance.
On 45 minutes we nearly extended our lead when a firm header from Tate just cleared the bar. As the referee announced four minutes added time, we thought we were holding out comfortably for a half time. However, in the fifth minute of added time (believe me I was counting it down on my watch) Robinson was harshly penalised. From the resulting free kick, as the clock ticked into the sixth minute of added time, Robson-Kanu rose above all challenges and sent an unstoppable header past Dorus. This was a real gutter, particularly as the ref had seemed intent on playing on until the home side got a chance to score. But far from being deflated we responded well after the break and produced some neat football in the opening exchanges, one fluent move resulting a good effort from Butler which flew wide. Then the home side got up a head of steam and put us under a fair bit of pressure a close range shot was blocked and Tate cleared well under pressure from a corner. On 55 minutes another Southend effort was blocked on the edge of our box after Bodde had carelessly given the ball away.
But we also created some chances of our own. On 75 minutes a lovely flowing move between Duffy and Bodde set up Pratley for a shot which was deflected wide. Then in a crazy minute we hit the bar from a long-range effort from Butler, the ball was headed back across the box by Duffy and Lawrence almost scored with an audacious back-heel, the ball being cleared of the line. On 80 minutes Tudor-Jones replaced Pratley, and produced one good raking effort just wide. Duffy also produced a fine effort on goal a long-range strike which flew just past the post. And the home side nearly forced a winner which a swirling shot was palmed out by Dorus. In the end a draw was a fair result, and there was a general consensus among all Jacks we spoke to that it was definitely a point gained in difficult conditions. The subsequent Doncaster defeat made it all the better of course.
DeVries 7 Some important interventions alongside the odd flap. We are grinding our way, rather than surging, to the winning post; but with 78 points in the bag and eight games to go, we seem to be getting there. Well done to the boys for digging this one out many teams would have crumbled. Southend 1 Swansea 1 - Mark (London)
A great result today, esp after losing an equaliser on the stroke of half time. The away crowd was in fine voice, and they were rewarded with a committed, and smart first half showing that deserved more than the one goal, courtesy of Jason Scotland from the pen spot. Butler, feigned to go to the byline, cut inside his defender and invited the shrimper to trip him over, which he did with gratitude! The wind was tricky, and JS had to re-spot, and ignore the big No6 of Southend giving his keeper some dodgy instructions delaying the kick. When I say dodgy, I am assuming, as the keeper went completely the wrong way!! It was what we deserved as we were the better side. Leon was a lucky boy, with one reckless challenge that had the away end fearing the ref was going to pull out a red not yellow card, but he got away with it. Their goal was up the other end of the pitch. A free kick from the right, in one of the 6 minutes of the 4 allocated for extra time (caused by our players breaking the net after Scotland scored), was powerfully headed in by Kanu.
Roberto then took off Robbo, who didn't have the best game, and brought on Duffy, and we changed to 442. He buzzed about up front and had one flashing drive, but we lost a bit of shape. Butler went to the left, Brits to the right, and Prats and Bodde looked a little out numbered in the middle. I think Ferrie hit the bar, and we had at least one shot blocked on the line as well - too far up the pitch to say who from though. Big Den had a great header saved brilliantly by their keeper first half. Southend changed strikers and their attack looked more dangerous - longer balls, and deep running. This was when the back 4 came into their own. Tate was magnificient. He threw himself blocking several shots on goal. Was brave and strong in the air, and committed on the deck. Big Den and Austin not too shabby either, making telling tackles and clearances. TJ came on for Prats late in 2nd half, and Prats who looked disappointed, had a chat on the touchline with RM for a few mins before sitting down. TJ didn't really do that much, certainly by Prats standards - but by eck he has grown a few inches, and when he's up to match speed, he will be a presence. Angel could still do with a break, and a bit more help from Butler, but was solid in the main. He made one great tackle at the end in the 6 yard box. De Vries needs to be a bit more vocal in his area, but did what he needed to when he needed to. All in all, esp after the 2nd half and a side that is now is looking a little weary, that was a good, hard earned point.
De Vries 6 - needs to be more vocal |
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