Southend United maintained their 100% unbeaten league form so far this month, after beating Hartlepool by a solitary goal on Saturday. Blues have won 2 out of 2 league games so far this month.

First Half

Hartlepool were quick out the gates, only 13 seconds had passed when the ball was lofted forward by the visiting defence, and a shot from Charlie Wyke drifted wide of Daniel Bentley’s left hand post.
Blues responded quickly, and not long after, Jack Payne, back in the Blues line-up, played a delightful cross-field pass to David Worrall, who cut in on his right foot, but his shot was easily gathered by Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool goal.
Blues continued to pressurise their visitors, and around the half way mark of the first half, Kevan Hurst’s header was sent straight into the open arms of Flinders, after John White had provided the cross. Flinders was definitely the busier of the two keepers, despite the previously mentioned Wyke causing a few problems for Bentley, which he dealt with. Adam Thompson, playing out of position at Right Back, was tested a few times by Pools’ winger Sidney Schmeltz, who’s jinked runs seemed to give Thompson a bit of a headache for most of the first half.
Towards the end of the first half, David Worrall went down with a head injury. Whilst Blues boss Phil Brown was probably debating which substitute to bring on, Worrall was given the all clear by Ben Clarkson, the Southend physio, and he carried on.
Just before half time, a free-kick from Kevan Hurst was flicked on by Hartlepool defender Sam Collins and the ball found its way to Adam Thompson at the back post, who somehow put the ball over the bar from four yards out.

Second Half

After half time, Blues continued to play in the same manner as they did in the first half, pressurising Hartlepool down the wings, and cutting inside for shots on goal.
The previously mentioned Collins almost got himself on the score sheet, but thankfully for him, he didn’t. Kevan Hurst’s low cross deflected off of Collins and seemed to be destined for the back of his own net, but the ball hit the outstretched leg of Flinders in the Hartlepool goal, who was already diving the opposite way, stopping Blues from going 1-0 up.
Flinders was once again called into action by Blues, as he made a meal of Barry Corr’s weak header, which seemed easy enough to deal with from a fan’s point of view.
Soon after, Blues eventually scored, through David Worrall. His darting run, through the Hartlepool midfield and most of their defence, caught them all napping and Worrall fired a low shot past Flinders into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Blues 1-0 Hartlepool!
Blues were almost caught napping themselves, as not long after the goal, Wyke’s effort from a similar position to Worrall’s, was saved by Bentley in the Southend goal, the first real save he had had to make up to this point.
Blues could have scored again in the 78th minute, if it hadn’t been for Collins’ block from Barry Corr’s turn and shot.
Marlon Harewood, the ex-West Ham striker was introduced by Hartlepool, in place of Wyke. The first mentionable thing Harewood had to do was to stop Luke Prosser from lashing out at Michael Duckworth. The two defenders, Prosser & Duckworth had both gone for the same ball, and for some reason, Duckworth was especially annoyed by this. He proceeded towards Prosser, and the two had their heads together, before Duckworth shoved Prosser away from him. As Prosser angrily advanced towards Duckworth, Harewood stepped in to calm the situation down.
Blues came close to doubling their lead in the 88th minute, with one effort from Jack Payne going wide, and Barry Corr’s header landing in the arms of Flinders. Hartlepool almost scored themselves right at the end, but some last ditch defending from Blues was enough to see the game out and earn themselves another three points.

Other Results:

Cambridge United 2-1 Northampton Town
Plymouth Argyle 3-0 Portsmouth
Morecambe FC 1-0 Bury FC
AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Carlisle United 1-0 Accrington Stanley
Luton Town 1-0 Tranmere Rovers
Shrewsbury Town 2-0 Mansfield Town
Stevenage FC 5-1 Cheltenham Town – Southend striker Lee Barnard scored two of the five for Stevenage.
York City 0-1 Oxford United

Tagged in:

Football