Our final word: Southend were in control for an hour, until they weren't. By then Maher's men had established a 3 goal lead and withdrew key players before disjointedly limping over the line. 3 wins from the remaining 6 games will be enough to secure the playoffs... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Dallas was denied a third by a fine block but Coker's deflected effort found the net. Braintree responded with one of their own before the Iron drove forward and found the top corner. Kendall went down in the box without reward. 3-2! 💙👍⚽⚽⚽💪👏💙 #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Dallas prodded home after Gus looped a header against the bar. Boyes saw an effort saved but Blues had few openings until Austin curled against the angle and Andy broke free to poke past the keeper for his second. Collin saved a deflected effort. HT 2-0 #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: More changes as Blues manage the workload. Massey starts and Hopper leads the line with Dallas... #SUFCexiles
A Friday full house at Roots Hall awaits Maher's men and visitors Braintree who are desperate for points to revive fading NL survival hopes. The all Essex affair sees Southend aiming to put another nail in the Iron's coffin to further their own playoff ambitions... #SUFCexiles
Southend go into Easter secure in 7th and looking to break clear of the chasers after a successful March. But April has already heralded the first significant footballing changes of the COSU era. Can Maher's men keep their focus and propel Blues into the post season? #SUFCexiles
Our final word: Southend were unlucky not to be 2 up at the break and to concede from distance. It appeared not to be Blues night when Golding struck the post but they kept going for Keenan to find the win they deserved. A resilient display after a long weekend... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Yeovil levelled from distance as sleepy Southend failed to clear a free kick. Kendall fired wide in response, Boyes saw a shot tipped over and Golding hit the post. With five to go KAF headed home from close range to secure the win. 2-1! 💙👏⚽⚽💪👏💙 #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Captain GSM pounced early to finish a good move. Gus flashed a ball across the box with Blues in control and Coker & KAF also had sights of goal. Dallas might have had a pen before one ruled out for offside. Southend well on top but only 1-0 up at HT... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Among the changes, Dallas and Kendall lead the line tonight and Joe returns to the starting XI... #SUFCexiles
Yeovil arrive in Essex 3 days after defeat on the road at the improving Heed. The Glovers have done enough so far to avoid the drop zone but Blues took the win in Somerset with a late Spasov winner. Maher's men will be aiming to finish the season just as strongly... #SUFCexiles
A Wembley return secured, the league is now Southend's singular focus. Maher's men have 8 games in 26 days with three of the next four at Roots Hall, including tonight's catch up fixture. Blues will hope that home advantage can help them to cement a playoff berth... #SUFCexiles
Our final word: Southend have banked a return trip to Wembley in the Trophy after the conclusion of the NL campaign. Maher's men can now focus on locking down a playoff berth and going one better than last season before a 4th meeting of the campaign with Wealdstone... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Kendall's drive opened up Southport and Bridge pounced on a loose ball to turn the game around. Coker hit the post before Charley cut inside and fired in a third. Dallas was felled and the keeper saw red. 3-1! BLUES ARE WEMBLEY BOUND! 💙👏💪⚽⚽⚽👍👏💙 #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: With the wind at their backs Southport got about Blues early before Kendall had an effort blocked and the hosts scrambled another away. Morton gave the ball away and the hosts profited, scoring smartly. Coker shaved the post in response. 1-0 down... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Golding for Joe, Bridge for Boyes, Austin for KAF and Kendall for Dallas at Haig Avenue... #SUFCexiles
Southend beat Southport in R4 last season and visit for the first time since the 70s. The Sandgrounders have also lost just once, in 5, since defeating Yeovil on pens to reach the last 4. Blues are aiming for a first Trophy final, a feat the Port achieved in 1998... #SUFCexiles
Southend's relentless schedule continues as Blues return to FA Trophy action. On the road since victory over Truro in R3, Maher's men have progressed without visiting a fellow NL side and have lost just once in 7 league outings since advancing to today's semi final... #SUFCexiles
Our final word: Southend again laboured after conceding, but deservedly took a point. The heavy workload means Maher's men can ill afford to toil every game playing from behind. And Blues new loan duo remained on the bench even though fresh legs are at a premium... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Coker's long range shot was tipped over and Hopper was denied a double effort. Goodliffe fired over. The persistence paid off as Kendall's shot was turned in by Tom with time running out. Two injury time efforts were saved. Blues rescue a point. 1-1... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Blues running on empty and a goal down at the break. Can they find something after the interval? #SUFCexiles
Before weekend Trophy duties, the first of Blues NL clashes sees the visit of in form Woking. The unbeaten Cards March revival follows their own cup exit & change of manager. Shrimpers will be looking for more than the point needed to take Southend into the top 7... #SUFCexiles
Saturday's reality check raised more questions for exasperated Shrimpers. Can such an inconsistent side be successful in the final month of the season and beyond? Southend need to make the most of a run of three straight NL games at Roots Hall to get back on track... #SUFCexiles
Our final word: Blues were unable to match their recent Roots Hall intensity & paid the price, falling again at Moss Lane. Maher's men lacked cutting edge and missed the backing of a home crowd. Southend lose ground with the rest of the top 10 all victorious today... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Southend pressed after the break, Dallas, Hopper & Gubbins all having chances. Blues made progressive changes in search of a goal. Goodliffe headed off target as more bodies were committed forward but the leveller wouldn't come. 0-1 on the road... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: Alty were on top in the early stages, rewarded with a goal after a deep corner. Joe and Boyes both saw shots saved. Austin stole the ball but Coker couldn't create a chance, Collin was forced into a save before two chances fell to Dallas. 0-1 at HT... #SUFCexiles
Gubbins Watch: No Gus, Austin likely out wide and Taylor skippers. Dallas and Hopper continue up top... #SUFCexiles
Altrincham's indifferent season masks a marked difference between their top half home form and relegation rated road campaign. Alty have won three straight at Moss Lane prior to Blues visit but the table gives the Robins all the incentive they need to add another... #SUFCexiles
The two 5 star performances at Roots Hall yielded just 6 points but have given Maher's men a blueprint for success. With ten games to go, Blues sit atop all their remaining opponents. Maher's men can yet reel in sides above them if they keep their standards high... #SUFCexiles
