An experience of a lifetime, watching Southend play in a major cup final at the Millennium Stadium, was a little undermined by a mediocre team performance in this 2-0 defeat, but it was still a marvellous occasion that will never be forgotten.
A crowd of 34,000 with a slim majority of Southend fans were treated to the whole cup final experience. The stadium is magnificent, the roof was closed so the noise from the crowd filled the arena. Blue flags and scarves were waved by the massed ranks of fans filling the south end and west side, the players walked around in their suits an hour or so before kick off and waved to their friends and family, later there were red carpets and pyrotechnics for the presentation of the teams, the National Anthem was sung and an excited crowd readied themselves for the match.
Dudfield + Bentley were cup tied, but Gower returned from injury to fill Bentley's spot and Warren was brought back next to Cort forcing Hunt to play in midfield. Constantine came in from the wing to play alongside Broughton, who had bought shinny white boots for the occasion.
The Shrimpers playing in silver shirts with navy shorts and socks kicked off, Pettefer set off up the right wing and centred well, but Blackpool cleared. Down the other end John Murphy, popped the ball in the back of the net, despite thinking he was offside and as the linesman had not flagged Southend were 1-0 down after 70 seconds. They tried to pull it back, in fact statistically at half time they looked the better side, with more shots, more possession, less fouls, but that was not fair on Blackpool who in Martin Bullock had a winger who could charge down the right side at will and it took the usual frantic clearances and brave keeping from Flahavan to stop a 4-0 score line at half time.
The second half was a bit of a blur with Blackpool winning more possession and in the 55th minute Coid drilled his close range shot through Corts legs and past Flahavan for a 2-0 margin, although once again Blackpool had players offside in the area. Bramble came on for the ineffective Wilson and Blues played 3-4-3. In the 67th minute Blackpool tried to play Southend offside at a Gower free kick which found Constantine clean through facing the keeper, but he effectively passed back. I can only think he thought himself (and at least 4 other Blues players) were onside so he didn't bother, but the flag stayed down and if he had taken a leaf out of Murphy's book the goal would have counted. Southend never really looked like scoring again and Flahavan must have enhanced his reputation as a shot stopper with a string of fine saves. Mike Flynn in the heart of the Blackpool defence deserves a special mention as he completely marked Drewe Broughton out of the game and thus effectively cancelled out the Shrimpers main plan for scoring goals.
That was it then, the stadium a sea of orange, more pyrotechnics and streamers, Southend acknowledged the fans, collected their runners up medals and left the pitch to allow Blackpool to celebrate a well deserved victory.
If all the Southend players had been on form it just might have been their day, although Maher, Flahavan and Warren played well, Gower too, but he could not put in the killer ball. Pettefer, Hunt, Cort, Jupp and Constantine certainly had good patches, Bramble never got going and it might be kindest to say Wilson and Broughton found themselves up against excellent opponents.
The cup final experience is over and the Shrimpers find their margin of safety from relegation has been cut from 9 to only 4 points in the last 6 days. It is vital the team having enjoyed the day, put defeat behind them and concentrate on the league. Once that's sorted another trip to Cardiff next year for the cup or playoffs would be very nice.
Author:
Russell Kempson - The Times Updated:
22 March 2004
TWO MONTHS AGO, Steve McMahon resigned as manager of Blackpool because of a difference of opinion with Karl Oyston, his chairman. Shortly after making his decision, at his farewell press conference, he announced that he had had second thoughts. He wanted to stay at Bloomfield Road.
Yesterday, at the Millennium Stadium, McMahon’s change of mind was vindicated as Blackpool sauntered to victory against Southend United in the LDV Vans Trophy final. It might not rank alongside the triumphs that he experienced regularly with Liverpool, but he was delighted nonetheless.
McMahon found it difficult to express his inner content afterwards — he rarely smiles — but he knew what it meant to his players. Success in the “kiss-me-quick” final, the clash of the seasiders, should not be taken lightly or easily forgotten. “I kept preaching to the lads that it could be their last final, that it could be mine as well, so you have got to enjoy it,” McMahon said. “You have to take it all in and savour it. Yes, it’s well-documented that I nearly left and I don’t really want to go down that route again. But it’s funny how it works out sometimes.”
It had been grim outside, the River Taff whipped into a frenzy by the relentless gale. Sleet and hail cannoned into the glass of the concourses as the proprietors of Penrhiw Farm Meats struggled to pack up their street stall of organic Welsh lamb and beef before the joints blew away.
Inside, the wisdom of the clubs’ decision to have the roof rolled across was quickly apparent. A patchy pitch could have become a quagmire had it been exposed to the elements; instead, the surface was firm and true, allowing Southend and, more often, Blackpool to display their wares to the full.
Only 74 seconds had elapsed when Blackpool went in front. Simon Grayson crossed from the right and after Leon Cort’s partial clearance had been thumped back in by Tony Dinning, John Murphy latched on to the deflection to beat Darryl Flahavan with a low drive.
It was his tenth goal of the season and the second-fastest to be scored in the stadium, with Murphy becoming only the third player — alongside Michael Owen and Fredrik Ljungberg — to have scored in more than one final in Cardiff. Muted protests of offside from the Southend players were rejected by Roy Pearson, the referee. “Possibly it was offside,” McMahon said. “But it stood, that’s the main thing.”
The Tangerine dream of a third victory from three outings at the Millennium — to go with wins in the 2001 third division play-off final and the 2002 LDV final — was alive. Only Liverpool have won more matches in the Principality — four times from five attempts — and already the Southend banners appeared to hang limply from the tiers. The “Spanish Shrimpers” may have made a long trip but they were going to go home disappointed.
Blackpool were the classier act, from Mike Sheron’s wily wandering up front to Martin Bullock's rampaging runs down the right flank. In contrast, Southend relied too much on the aerial prowess of Drewe Broughton, which was expertly nullified by Mike Flynn. The Men of Essex had no Plan B.
“Blackpool’s quality shone through in the end,” Steve Tilson, the Southend manager, said. “It was disappointing to concede a goal so early and it not only puts you on the back foot but it means that you have to go chasing the game as well. Our final ball into the box was poor.”
Even without the services of Scott Taylor, the 27-goal leading scorer, who is injured, Blackpool should have increased their lead twice in the first half. Both chances came from typical Bullock surges but Murphy and Sheron crossed wires and wasted the openings.
Southend, though persistent, lacked the creative ability to trouble Lee Jones, the Blackpool goalkeeper, seriously. Their wait to win a trophy of significance, all of 98 years since their formation, would continue.
Seven minutes into the second half, Sheron and Danny Coid having already missed good opportunities, Blackpool went farther ahead. Sheron’s cross caused panic in the Southend area, nobody was able to clear the danger and Coid drilled his shot past Flahavan. Again, Blackpool bodies appeared offside; again, Pearson ruled otherwise. Coid cannot drive a car let alone an LDV Van and is forever begging lifts from his team-mates. In future, Murphy, a frequent chauffeur, will not mind a jot.
And that was about it. The town of Southend has a longer pier than the resort of Blackpool but their proud boast counted for little in the Welsh capital. Blackpool, 27 places higher up the league ladder, had too much experience, too much knowledge. Once Leon Constantine had lobbed weakly at Jones in the 69th minute, Constantine’s markers all standing and claiming offside, that really was it.
McMahon’s steely glare rarely wavered over the closing moments, nor when he spoke later, but he did reveal a sentimental flaw when, in the 90th minute, he brought on two of his remaining four substitutes. One of them was Stephen McMahon, 19, his son.
The old Anfield enforcer does do emotion after all.
Author:
PA Updated:
22 March 2004
Blackpool secured their second LDV Trophy in three years thanks to a 2-0 victory over Southend at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The Seasiders, who had beaten Cambridge 4-1 in 2002, won the this season's final after goals from John Murphy and Danny Coid put paid to the Shrimpers' challenge.
And the margin of victory could have been more comfortable but for courageous stops from United keeper Darryl Flahavan at the feet of Coid, Mike Sheron and then Murphy late on.
Only one minute and 14 seconds had elapsed when the Seasiders struck with an incisive build-up paving the way for a shot by Tony Dinning from the edge of the box.
Southend momentarily appeared to have survived only for the partially blocked ball to fall for Murphy to drill home despite appeals for offside.
Flahavan was then on his mettle as he came off his line sharply to save at the feet of Coid in the 20th minute but five minutes later Blackpool fluffed a golden chance to double their lead.
Livewire Martin Bullock sparked the attack by powering along the right wing, beating two challenges and finding Murphy with a perfect centre.
But when a shot on the turn was called for, the Bloomfield Road striker instead tried and failed to find Sheron and momentum was lost.
Southend skipper Kevin Maher squandered an opportunity to restore parity with a free-kick that went well wide but his side needed to defend desperately to prevent a second Blackpool goal before the break.
United nerves were again jangling within seconds of the restart as Sheron broke free and fired a raking drive marginally over the crossbar.
Playing towards their own supporters in the North Stand, Blackpool were breaking in waves and Coid became the next to threaten with a cross-cum-shot which improbably bobbled through the six-yard box and out of play.
But Coid was destined to bulge the net as the Division Two outfit doubled their lead in the 55th minute after Sheron had provided an accurate cross from the right side.
And with the Southend rearguard beset by indecision and confusion, Coid was left unmarked at the back post where he turned and powered the ball home.
There were more Flahavan heroics as Sheron was denied one-on-one before Leon Constantine was presented with an opportunity to galvanise the south coast side but he tamely chipped the ball into Lee Jones' arms.
Constantine would go close though, only for his drive to ripple the side-netting before Flahavan denied Murphy with a fine reaction save when the final whistle was imminent.
Author:
pink football Updated:
22 March 2004
Blackpool claimed their second LDV Vans Trophy in three years with a 2-0 final victory over Southend United at the Millennium Stadium.
Steve McMahon's side controlled the game for the most part and were rewarded with a goal in each half from John Murphy and Danny Coid.
Third division Southend were playing in the first cup final of their 98-year existence, but their celebrations at that achievement were cut short after just one minute and 14 seconds.
Tony Dinning's deflected shot found Murphy 14 yards out and he applied a composed finish to give the Seasiders an early lead.
The Shrimpers did little to trouble Blackpool keeper Lee Jones before the interval, but at the other end Darryl Flahavan had to produce a smart block to prevent Coid doubling the lead.
Murphy and the impressive Martin Bullock also squandered opportunities to extend the Seasiders' advantage before the break and Southend will have been happy to go in just a goal down.
In the opening minute of the second half Bullock created a chance for Mike Sheron, but the former Manchester City star blasted over - however a second goal was not far away.
The 55th minute saw the best move of the game, as Bullock and Sheron combined to play in Coid, who drilled the ball beyond Flahavan to make it 2-0.
The Shrimpers then enjoyed their best spell of the match, with Leon Constantine proving a handful for the Blackpool defence.
However, when United sprung the Seasiders offside trap Constantine could only fire tamely straight at Jones.
In the closing stages Steve Tilson's side were unable to pose any real threat and Blackpool hung on comfortably for another memorable victory in Cardiff.
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An experience of a lifetime, watching Southend play in a major cup final at the Millennium Stadium, was a little undermined by a mediocre team performance in this 2-0 defeat, but it was still a marvellous occasion that will never be forgotten.
TWO MONTHS AGO, Steve McMahon resigned as manager of Blackpool because of a difference of opinion with Karl Oyston, his chairman. Shortly after making his decision, at his farewell press conference, he announced that he had had second thoughts. He wanted to stay at Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool secured their second LDV Trophy in three years thanks to a 2-0 victory over Southend at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The Seasiders, who had beaten Cambridge 4-1 in 2002, won the this season's final after goals from John Murphy and Danny Coid put paid to the Shrimpers' challenge.
Blackpool claimed their second LDV Vans Trophy in three years with a 2-0 final victory over Southend United at the Millennium Stadium.
Steve McMahon's side controlled the game for the most part and were rewarded with a goal in each half from John Murphy and Danny Coid.