Commitment Shines Through

Southend showed on Saturday that again, they have the quality to play in the Championship with a hard fought battle at Tranmere. Their last encounter saw Southend beat Tranmere 3-1 at Roots Hall back in September.

Southend started off the better side with space found up front for Eastwood but Tranmere came close with a Danny Harrison shot going just wide of the post. Wayne Gray also came close in the first half with a deflected shot. Eastwood then made a superb run down the wing, cut inside the box, and unleash a shot which the goalkeeper could only watch as it went inches wide of the post.

The main pointer of the first half was Southend’s defence, solid as it has been for their unbeaten run now of ten games.

Tranmere started the second half with a neat move, as just two minutes in, Delroy Facey’s cross was met by Calvin Zola, but an equal Flahavan superbly pushed it round the post.

Spencer Prior suffering with an ankle problem was substituted by Che Wilson, of which Tranmere started piling on the pressure.

Southend responded by Eastwood smashing a volley with the only thing stopping a goal was the crossbar, and a penalty appeal not going Southend’s way when it appeared that Simon Francis had handled the ball inside the penalty area.

Southend lost top spot in Division One, to local Essex rivals Colchester United but only saw the Shrimpers drop to second. All in all, the Shrimpers deserved the point that they came up to Prenton Park to get, and a job well done.

Tilson was full of praise for Southend and stressed to everyone who follows the Shrimpers that losing the top spot in the Division doesn’t make any difference. Southend are now unbeated in ten games.