Official Match Thread Southend United v AFC Fylde

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we are, our sixth home game in the Vanarama National League of the 2023/24 season. This is the Dream Team’s 49th home game in charge since Kevin Maher and his management team were appointed at the Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 6th home game is against AFC Fylde



It is now time for ALL of us to get behind him and the team whether you are at Roots Hall, listening on the radio, listening on Blues TV, or watching on National League TV Stream, you can all still make that famous "Roots Hall Roar”.

Our 6th Southend United Vanarama National League Home Team of the 2023/24 season



The Roots Hall pitch is ready for action at 15.00 pm Saturday 23rd September 2023 against AFC Fylde. It looks like we will have Sunny Intervals a gentle breeze for this afternoon’s game at Roots Hall. The temperature will be around 18°C but feel like 18°C.



Here is the weather forecast for this afternoon’s game at Roots Hall



Current League home record after 5 home games

Won 4
Dawn 0
Lost 1
Goals scored 12
Goals conceded 4

League Positions Last Season

8th (2022/23 Season) Vanarama National League Southend United
1st (2022/23 Season) Vanarama National League North AFC Fylde (Promoted as Champions)

League Positions Current Season

23rd (2023/24 Season) Vanarama National League Southend United
24th (2023/24 Season) Vanarama National League AFC Fylde

Recent League Position Change


We have never played AFC Fylde before

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 0
Draws: 0
AFC Fylde Wins: 0

Current Form

Southend United W L W D L W
AFC Fylde L D L L L L

Current Form Table (Last 6 Games)



Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

AFC Fylde

FC Fylde United Manager Adam Murray did not do a pre-match interview before travelling over to Roots Hall for this afternoon’s game here is their preview

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AFC Fylde Manager Adam Murray​

Back-to-back away games sees the Coasters make the long journey to Southend United and Roots Hall in the National League.

With both sides needing three points for different reasons, Murray’s men will be hoping they are the ones on the right side of the result against the Shrimpers, who we take a look at in depth.

The Lowdown

The Coasters face another away trip this upcoming Saturday to troubled Essex outfit Southend United after suffering their fourth straight defeat on Tuesday night, leaving them at the bottom of the table with one win in ten games.

However, with Tuesday’s second-half performance proving the Coasters can compete at this level, a second win of the season seems to be around the corner.

Defensive reinforcements Kyron Gordon and Sam Graham have both impressed in the games they have played and are key additions to Adam Murray’s squad.

Southend come into this fixture off the back of a comfortable 2-0 home win against Maidenhead United. With the future of the club very much in the air and player availability being stretched to the maximum, Kevin Maher is certainly working his magic in getting results.

Without the well-documented points deduction, the Shrimpers would be sitting in a very respectable 6th position.

However, with more deductions on the horizon, it looks hard to see Southend outside of the table’s bottom half throughout the season.

The Manager: Kevin Maher

Maher started by coming through the ranks at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur before leaving the North London side without making a first-team appearance and joining second-division side Southend United.

In his first season at Roots Hall, he made just shy of 20 appearances, which unfortunately involved relegation to the third division. The club remained in the third division for seven years, a competition that had its name changed to League Two.

During these years, Maher stayed loyal to the club and became a fan favourite and solid starter, averaging just above 40 appearances per season. Success was few and far between in these years, and it wasn’t until 2004 that the club saw any type of potential trophy.

In the 2003-04 season, the club got to the final of the Football League Trophy but was defeated 2-0 by Blackpool – however, Maher and the Shrimpers would be back at the Millennium stadium shortly.

The following season, they found themselves back in Cardiff in the Football League Trophy Final but were once again defeated, this time by Wrexham. However, it was third time lucky for the Shrimpers as Maher managed to help his team gain promotion via the playoffs, beating Lincoln at the Millenium.

In the following season, Maher made just shy of 50 appearances during a title-winning campaign that sent Southend to the Championship after back-to-back promotions before being relegated back to League One after missing out on safety by seven points. Maher was still going strong in the Shrimpers lineup and still seen as a regular 10 years after his debut season.

Maher’s time at Southend was to come to an end in 2007/08, and he went on to have spells with Gillingham, Oldham, Dagenham & Redbridge, Bray Wanderers and Whitehawk before hanging up his boots.

In 2015, he joined Chelmsford City as a coach and quickly moved into the Caretaker role, but when the opportunity arose, he soon moved back to his beloved Southend as a first-team coach. He remained in that position until the start of the 2019-20 season when he joined the Bristol Rovers backroom staff.

His love for the Shrimpers was clear to see, with Maher rejoining in 2021 as Head Coach, where he achieved a mid-table finish at the first time of asking despite off-field pressure starting to grow.

In Maher’s second season, the Shrimpers missed out on the playoffs by three points and have made a strong start to the 2023/24 season, but the off-field issues are unfortunately still a huge problem at Roots Hall.

Previous Meetings

The meeting between Southend and the Coasters at Roots Hall is the first-ever one, as both sides go in search of a much-needed win for different reasons.

Opposition form

The Shrimpers come into this game sitting in a false position, with results meaning nothing due to the points deduction – however, that has not stopped Kevin Maher’s men from putting on a show.

Five wins, one draw and three losses from their opening 10 games is impressive and would normally have them sitting in a playoff position.

One defeat at home shows that Roots Hall is somewhat of a fortress for the Shrimpers, and the Coasters will have to be on their game from minute one to leave Essex with a positive result.

Link to Story
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Southend United

Keven Maher’s interview on Youtube before this afternoon’s game with AFC Fylde

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Keven Maher did not speak to the Southend OS before this afternoon’s game with AFC Fylde

Harry Cardwell pre-match interview on youtube before the AFC Fylde

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Kevin Maher spoke to the Chris Phillips at the Echo before this afternoon’s game with AFC Fylde

Southend United Manager Kevin Maher​

Southend United boss Kevin Maher feels the crisis-hit club would have already crumbled if it had not been for Tom Lawrence.

The chief executive has helped the Shrimpers struggle through a number of serious off-field issues.

And Maher believes Blues - who host AFC Fylde tomorrow - would not be in existence without him.

“Tom has been integral for the football club,” said Maher.

“A lot of it goes unseen and he’s made a lot of sacrifices for him and his family. Without him I don’t think the football club would still be here and the football side of things wouldn’t be so strong.

A lot of people are doing great things behind the scenes.”

Echosport understands Lawrence has personally paid a number of the club’s bills but the Shrimpers are still struggling to survive.

Blues are back in the High Court on Wednesday October 4 to face a winding up petition from HMRC and have previously been warned they will be liquidated if the bill is not paid.

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Big Preview

Southend United v AFC Fylde


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Overview

Kevin Maher’s Blues team continued to defy the odds in midweek with a 2-0 win over Maidenhead, putting any fears about a 13-man matchday squad to one side.

It was the latest in a series of remarkable performances this season which sees the lads fighting against everything.

Those three points took us above AFC Fylde in the National League table, with the gap to safety now four points. The Coasters are the opponents on Saturday as we return to Roots Hall.

Our home stadium is becoming something of a fortress, with four of five home games so far this season ending victorious. Only Chesterfield and Barnet have scored more at home than Blues

THE OPPOSITION​

Promoted from the National League North as champions last season, AFC Fylde have since struggled to adjust to life back in the fifth tier and are currently sat at the foot of the table.

The Coasters have picked up just one win so far, a 2-1 victory over fellow promoted side Kidderminster Harriers in August. They are currently winless in seven games, with six of these ending in losses.

To add salt to the wounds, Adam Murray’s men are one of just two National League clubs yet to keep a clean sheet this term – the other being 7th placed Hartlepool United.

Furthermore, aside from their win against Kidderminster, Fylde have conceded at least two goals in every game. That combined with Blues scoring at least twice in every home match makes for worrying reading for the Fylde faithful.

In midweek the Coasters fell to a fourth consecutive defeat, losing 2-1 at high-flying Solihull Moors having been beaten by the same scoreline by Eastleigh at the weekend.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

AFC Fylde are one of three teams in this season’s Vanarama National League that we have never played in a competitive fixture before.

The other two are Ebbsfleet United and Oxford City, who both come to Roots Hall in October.

FROM THE GAFFER

Kevin Maher spoke on one of this week’s new additions, Mauro Vilhete, in Thursday’s pre-match press session. “He showed when he came on that he’s a good footballer and understands the game.

“He’ll suit how we play and what we like our players to look like, and he knows one or two here which always helps.

“It’s an opportunity for him as well as opportunity for us to look at him and see if he can earn something going forward. He’s got obvious qualities that we know because we’ve played against him before and we’re delighted to have him with us.

“The more he’s with us on the training ground, the more he’ll learn about how we work because he only came in on Tuesday. For him to come on and play a part was a positive as well.”

TEAM NEWS

Harry Taylor returns from suspension for this one. Collin Andeng Ndi and Nathan Ralph will be assessed before the game, while Louis Lomas is still out. Gus Scott-Morriss serves the second game of his two-match suspension.

TICKETS

Ticket prices increase by £2 at midnight on Friday, so make sure you buy before then!

Spaces in all three home stands are available and the best way to secure yours is online at this link. If you wish to do so in person, the ticket office opens at 10am on Saturday.

REF WATCH​

Aaron Bannister is in charge for this clash. His last visit to Roots Hall was a controversial one as he disallowed what would have been a winning goal from the boot of Jake Hyde when Wrexham came to Essex a year ago.

So far this season, Bannister has officiated four National League games and shown 18 yellow cards, no reds.

His assistants are James Hurst and Russell Jones, and the fourth official is Joshua Evans.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ELSEWHERE?

A big Saturday in the National League kicks off with Woking against York on TNT Sports.

The top three of Chesterfield, Solihull and Barnet are starting to establish a buffer at the summit. Solihull’s clash with form side Bromley is undoubtedly the game of the day, while the Spireites host Wealdstone and the Bees entertain FC Halifax.

Woking v York City (12:30)
Altrincham v Ebbsfleet United
Barnet v FC Halifax Town
Boreham Wood v Aldershot Town
Chesterfield v Wealdstone
Dagenham & Redbridge v Hartlepool United
Dorking Wanderers v Rochdale
Eastleigh v Kidderminster Harriers
Gateshead v Maidenhead United
Oldham Athletic v Oxford City
Solihull Moors v Bromley

HOW TO FOLLOW

Blues TV is not currently available as we complete our move over to a new digital platform. BBC Essex commentary will still be available on 95.3FM & DAB and also on the BBC Sport website and app.

Another option is to follow live minute-by-minute updates on social media via the club’s official Twitter account by following @SUFCRootsHall, which will mean you get all our exclusive content throughout the 2023/24 season.

If you’re not in the UK, National League streaming is available worldwide here. Domestic fans can only stream matches that fall on a midweek date or during an international break.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ELSEWHERE?

A big Saturday in the National League kicks off with Woking against York on TNT Sports.

The top three of Chesterfield, Solihull and Barnet are starting to establish a buffer at the summit. Solihull’s clash with form side Bromley is undoubtedly the game of the day, while the Spireites host Wealdstone and the Bees entertain FC Halifax.

Woking v York City (12:30)
Altrincham v Ebbsfleet United
Barnet v FC Halifax Town
Boreham Wood v Aldershot Town
Chesterfield v Wealdstone
Dagenham & Redbridge v Hartlepool United
Dorking Wanderers v Rochdale
Eastleigh v Kidderminster Harriers
Gateshead v Maidenhead United
Oldham Athletic v Oxford City
Solihull Moors v Bromley

HOW TO FOLLOW​

Blues TV is not currently available as we complete our move over to a new digital platform. BBC Essex commentary will still be available on 95.3FM & DAB and also on the BBC Sport website and app.

Another option is to follow live minute-by-minute updates on social media via the club’s official Twitter account by following @SUFCRootsHall, which will mean you get all our exclusive content throughout the 2023/24 season.

If you’re not in the UK, National League streaming is available worldwide here. Domestic fans can only stream matches that fall on a midweek date or during an international break.

Link to story

Link



BBC Essex Radio Link

BBC Essex Link



Watch on Vanarama National League TV Live Stream

Register and sign up below, International Match Pass £9.50

National League TV

Come On You Blues!​

 

[The Big Dady]

AFC FyldeTeam

 

[palexander]

No National League TV stream :(

Just been announced. "Beyond our control"

Prob not paid media team or something...

 

[Harry Bullocks]

AFC FyldeTeam

TBA

Quality reporting Big D

 

[GROWLER]

No National League TV stream :(

Just been announced. "Beyond our control"

Prob not paid media team or something...

"AND THE REST"
Me thinks I smell a RAT again knawing at the cable

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

No National League TV stream :(

Just been announced. "Beyond our control"

Prob not paid media team or something...

Oh b*****ks

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Today's gate sails thro 5k

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Thought I'd mix it up a bit today
Walk the dog, tick
Fridge up refreshments, tick
Source "fortunate underwear", tick
Adorn said pants @ 14.55, to do
Bring it on

 

[Strykr]

COYB!!

 

[sufclee]

Any one else getting the wrong radio station on the BBC link?

 

[thenobster]

Any one else getting the wrong radio station on the BBC link?

Yep. Boston!

 

[northlincsshrimper1]

Yes, same here. Hope it will change before KO

 

[palexander]

Jesus.... seems to be media issues every week. Either wrong, or no commentary - or NLTV issues. so annoying, its basics.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

I can listen to BBC commentary on my computer with no problem but as it's a desktop, it's stuck in one room. When I try and get the game on my mobile I encounter problems. Click on the game and it tells me "You now need to sign in to listen. It's quick and easy" Or, it should be! I have got a BBC account but two addresses show up, a gmail address and a local one. Both appear consecutively and when I sign on to either and return to click on the game, the message comes up again.......so I go around in circles. Anyone any suggestions?

 

[Bratislava Blue]

I know the club are saying that it's beyond their control. But to announce it with such notice is WRONG! Treat us with respect. This service doesn't come for free and many of us like myself have paid for a season ticket.

 

[palexander]

I can listen to BBC commentary on my computer with no problem but as it's a desktop, it's stuck in one room. When I try and get the game on my mobile I encounter problems. Click on the game and it tells me "You now need to sign in to listen. It's quick and easy" Or, it should be! I have got a BBC account but two addresses show up, a gmail address and a local one. Both appear consecutively and when I sign on to either and return to click on the game, the message comes up again.......so I go around in circles. Anyone any suggestions?

You got Essex from BBC website? Seems most others are getting BBC Radio Lincolnshire

 

[Ipswhrimp]

Yup, Boston...

 

[Crowstone Crevette]

Bags being searched and people frisked by extra security staff (7 not including the usual hi-viz vest clad SUFC stewards) as they enter the West Stand.

Touch of over kill?

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

I've now got bloody BBC radio Lincolnshire when I press the Essex radio link!