|
Saturday 12th January 2002 |
Nationwide League Division 3 |
Attendance: 3, 300 |
Stags fell
to a narrow defeat at Roots Hall this afternoon, beaten by one moment of
brilliance from home striker Tes Bramble midway through the first half.
The first half was fairly even but Stags had the better chances and were
unlucky to be behind at the interval. The second half was one way traffic
as Stags dominated but failed to take any of a succession of chances, with
the home side hanging on for dear life. Rarely can a home side have had so
little possession to claim 3 points. The statistics of the game do not
lie: Stags had 12 shots on target compared to 2 for the home side. After the
game, Southend boss Rob Newman paid tribute to his defenders who threw
their bodies in front of the ball to prevent goals, and to his goalkeeper
who handled the ball well. He admitted his side just hung on for the win,
and paid tribute to the Stags as a passing side, with good movement who he
said will be in the top 3 at end of season. |
STAGS RATINGS | ||
Pilkington | 6 | Almost nothing to do. |
Hassell | 7 | Did well defensively and going forward. |
Tankard | 6 | Did give the ball away a little too often, but solid enough at left back. |
Barrett | 7 | Good game, as Southend strikers were given little chance to impress. One excellent clearance off the line. |
Robinson | 6 | Went off injured very early on. |
Lawrence | 7 | Created a lot from the right wing, and unlucky not to score in the first half. |
Corden | 6 | Not in the game for the first 35 minutes, but then burst into life. Several teasing crosses but not quite at his best. |
Pemberton | 6 | Did ok in midfield but Stags missed Disley's creativity. |
Williamson | 7 | Unlucky to be booked, and that maybe stopped him going in for all his usual tackles, but still won more than he lost in midfield. |
Greenacre | 6 | Quiet first half. Livelier in the second half but not at his sharpest. |
Piper | 6 | More direct than in past games, but lacked cutting edge. |
Subs: | ||
Reddington | 7 | (for Robinson) Good return to the side, looked confident and won most of his battles. |
Subs Not Used: Bingham, Jervis, Asher, Bradley. |
Report by Martin Shaw