Soccer: Leaders fall to spirited Shrimpers

An impressive brace from striker Ben Abbey, sandwiched either side of another goal from Shrimpers wideman Scott Forbes, helped push Blues back into seventh place and a play-off berth.

And not even a double blast from visiting hitman Luke Beckett could spoil an entertaining afternoon for Southend fans, as the Seasiders claimed a thoroughly deserved triumph, which ended a miserable sequence of three consecutive League defeats.

Chesterfield arrived at Roots Hall unbeaten on their travels all season in the basement division after ten away games.

In fact, the Spireites had not tasted defeat on the road for 15 matches in total - an incredible run which stretched back to last April.

And just as awesome was the visitors' record this campaign. Chesterfield had only been beaten once anywhere all season - at home to Barnet back in September - and were without a loss in 16 League outings prior to their trip to Roots Hall.

However, despite taking a lightning quick lead through dangerman Beckett after just two minutes, the Spireites were soon brought crashing back down to earth as David Webb's side bulldozed the table toppers into submission.

The amazing work rate of Southend's players was exhausting to watch as Webb's wonders ran themselves into the glue-pot Roots Hall pitch as if their lives depended on it.

And with the superb central midfield partnership of Kevin Maher and Russell Williamson biting and snarling at the heels of their opponents at every opportunity, it was not long before Blues bounced back via Abbey's header.

Forbes fired the Seasiders into the lead before half-time and it would have been no injustice if Southend had gone into the interval holding a two or three goal advantage, such was their domination.

During a completely one sided opening period, Blues got the ball forward at every opportunity, hardly giving Chesterfield's busy defence the chance to gasp for breath.

However, this was not plain old route one football! After getting the ball into the danger area, Blues started putting together flowing passing moves of one touch football, which was both exciting and refreshing to watch as the Shrimpers attempted to prise an opening.

The only surprise was that Southend had to wait until two minutes from time to get the all important third goal, again from Abbey, which Beckett's injury time consolation strike failed to spoil.

Finally, the electric atmosphere around the ground needs a mention. A crowd of less than 4,000 was a big disappointment, although Christmas shopping undoubtedly played its part.

But listening to the positive vibes ringing around the ground was like taking a trip back in time in the Tardis.

The passionate mood at Roots Hall was so reminiscent of Webb's last spell at Southend when he took Blues up to the First Division.

Could this be the start of something special again?

(Right) Wing wonder - Shrimpers right flankman David Lee battles with Chesterfield's Rob Edwards for the ball

(Left) On the break - Blues frontman Martin Carruthers leads another Southend attack

Pictures: MAXINE CLARKE

Seaside special display ends Spireites' spell

Away-day specialists Chesterfield demonstrated just why they are top of the Third Division at Roots Hall on Saturday by racing into an early lead.

The Spireites penned Blues back into their penalty area straight from the kick-off, which visiting forward Luke Beckett eagerly capitalised on after just two minutes.

A right wing cross from Chesterfield fullback Chris Perkins caused panic in the heart of the Southend defence, leaving Shrimpers keeper Darryl Flahavan to push away a lunging close range shot from midfielder David D'Auria.

But Flahavan's best efforts were in vain as Chesterfield wideman Jon Howard reacted quickest to pick up the loose ball and chip a pass to the far-post for Beckett to head into an open net from six yards.

But the miserable faces of the Southend fans soon turned into beaming smiles as the Shrimpers bounced back almost straight away. After four minutes, winger Scott Forbes' 20-yard drive cannoned off Chesterfield centre-half Steve Payne for a corner.

Forbes floated in the flag-kick from the right, which was flicked on by Seasiders skipper Phil Whelan and headed into the roof of the net by forward Ben Abbey, who had sneaked in unnoticed at the far post.

And this was to be just the prelude for Southend's finest Roots Hall performance of the season. Spireites' goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was soon getting down low to hold a drive from Forbes, following a free-kick from right-back Martyn Booty.

Southend hitman Martin Carruthers looped a David Lee centre over the bar after nine minutes. And 60 seconds later, Abbey sent a stunning scissor kick from the edge of the box flashing inches past the left post after Pollitt had punched a Forbes cross away from Lee.

However, Blues still had to remain alert as D'Auria's long pass allowed Howard to break into the box, but Flahavan timed his run off his line to perfection to avert the danger.

But it was one way traffic for most of the first-half, as Blues bombarded the goal of a Chesterfield team which had lost both of its first choice central defenders to suspension.

Good work from Kevin Maher allowed Carruthers to turn and hit a shot into Pollitt's arms after 31 minutes, before Southend deservedly nudged themselves in front.

Blues midfielder Russell Williamson chased a long Lee pass down the centre, which Chesterfield defender Steve Blatherwick could only clear as far as Carruthers on the edge of the box. The Southend frontman switched the ball left to Forbes, who sent a crisp 16-yard shot across Pollitt and into the back of the net via the inside of the right-post after 36 minutes.

Right-winger Lee was causing Chesterfield's patched up rearguard even more problems four minutes later when he found Williamson, but he headed over after getting in between the visitors' two centre-halves.

And almost straight after, Williamson motored through the centre of the park before knocking the ball to Forbes, again on the left, but this time Pollitt saved the flankman's 18-yard effort with his legs.

Six minutes into the second-half, Lee volleyed over the bar after Pollitt had committed himself to yet another punched clearance, this time from Forbes' right-wing corner.

Maher and Carruthers both registered shots on goal, before Booty broke through the middle of the pitch and fed Carruthers, who teed up Forbes for a drive, which was blocked by Payne.

Chesterfield made a rare sortie into the Southend box after 58 minutes when Dudfield sent a shot past Flahavan, but Searle hacked the ball off the goal-line.

Abbey left defenders Blather-wick and Rob Edwards for dead on 75 minutes before hitting a dipping shot from the edge of the box fractionally wide.

Ebdon then forced a wonderful save out of Flahavan, who pushed away his 25-yard free-kick two-handed at full stretch.

With seven minutes left, Williamson skipped into the Chesterfield box and clipped a shot over Pollitt, which crept just past the right post. But two minutes later, Flahavan had to parry a drive from midfielder Sean Parrish as Chesterfield tried to grab a late equaliser.

With four minutes remaining, Ebdon was a touch unlucky to get sent off after picking up his second yellow card for a foul on Carruthers. And within two minutes of the midfielder leaving the field, Abbey sewed up the game in Blues' favour.

The striker charged down a clearance from Payne and advanced forward before sending an exquisite 20-yard chip over the head of Pollitt, sparking off frenzied celebrations.

But Chesterfield claimed a consolation goal two minutes into injury time when Beckett scrambled the ball over the line, after Flahavan had palmed away his initial headed effort from substitute Ryan Williams' cross.

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.