Southend United 2-0 Northampton Town - Review!

December 1, 2014 by Alec Hitchman

NOT a Load of Cobblers!
Southend United 2-0 Northampton Town

For the sixth year in a row, Southend United go unbeaten in the league in November. Blues won all four of their league games this month, and lost against Chester FC in the FA Cup. This impressive form in November is somewhat outstanding, as not many teams can boast they haven’t lost a league game in a particular month for however many years.

First Half:

Blues started the game well and saw their first goal-scoring opportunity. Coincidently, new signing John-Joe O’Toole, making his debut for the club on loan from opponents Northampton, saw his powerful drive towards goal saved by Cobblers’ ‘keeper Jordan Archer, who could only divert the ball into the path of Blues midfielder Jack Payne, who put his shot just wide of the post.

Blues continued to push and almost took the lead when Barry Corr’s shot from the edge of the area went just over the crossbar. Northampton’s attempts to get back into the game were denied by the Blues defence at each time of asking, up until just before half time anyway. New Cobblers signing Ollie Banks’ shot from a tight angle went sailing over the bar. In what was a moderately entertaining first half, Blues’ last mentionable chance of the half was Michael Timlin’s free kick.

It looked as though he had deceived Archer in the Northampton goal, but his (Archer’s) reactions saved the visitors from going into half time a goal down.

Second Half:

Northampton started the second half strongly, after Ricky Ravenhill’s corner was put wide of the target by Kelvin Langmead’s soft header. John White could have got his second career goal, (after scoring his first last season when Blues played Scunthorpe. His cross-come-shot deceived the Scunthorpe ‘keeper and dropped into the net). White was allowed to run at the Northampton defence, and from about 30 yards out, his low shot hit the side netting.
Northampton’s last big chance to take the lead was in the hands of striker Marc Richards, but unfortunately for him, his shot from a free kick failed to find the back of the net. That miss would prove costly for the visitors.
Blues had the lead a few minutes later, Myles Weston’s cross found Barry Corr, who turned well, but was brought down in the box by Archer, who was given a straight red card. The ‘keeper, on loan at Northampton from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, had never been sent off before.
Due to the red card, The Cobblers had to sacrifice Ricky Ravenhill, who was replaced by substitute goalkeeper, and one time Southend transfer target, Matt Duke. Duke couldn’t do anything about Barry Corr’s penalty, which was placed perfectly into the roof of the net by the Irishman.
Myles Weston almost got himself on the score sheet, but his curling effort from 20 or so yards out was palmed over the crossbar by Duke. Weston was involved yet again soon after, as Blues scored again. John White found Weston with a delightful chipped pass over the visiting defenders, Weston, who was clearly onside, broke free of the defence and his low cross found in-form David Worrall, who tucked the ball underneath Duke and into the back of the net.
Blues could have been out of sight and three goals up not long after, if it hadn’t been for Duke saving well from Worrall’s shot from the edge of the box.
Between those two events, (Blues’ second goal and the save from Duke), Marc Richards could have given Northampton a late glimmer of hope, but he put his shot wide and into the stand occupied by the travelling Northampton fans.
Blues continued to push for the third goal, which never came, but the two goal lead was enough. Blues defended comfortably and kept possession in a successful attempt to see the game out.
The referee blew for full time soon after, and that was that. Blues are still fifth after other results stopped them from going up to third.
John-Joe O’Toole had a relatively quiet debut, but personally, I think he looks like a decent player.

Blues now have a well deserved break, as they are not in the FA Cup 2nd round. Our next game is away at league leaders Wycombe Wanderers on the 13th December.

The Rest of Them:

Accrington Stanley 2-3 Exeter City – PLAYED FRIDAY (28/11)
AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Cambridge United
Bury FC 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
Carlisle United 2-3 Newport County
Cheltenham Town 1-1 Oxford United
Hartlepool United 1-3 Wycombe Wanderers
Luton Town 3-0 Mansfield Town
Plymouth Argyle 1-1 York City
Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Burton Albion
Stevenage FC 1-1 Morecambe FC
Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth FC