Official Match Thread York City v Southend United

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we all are, our fifth away game in the Vanarama National League of the 2023/24 season. This is the Dream Team’s 44th away game since they were appointed Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 5th away match is against York City



It is now time for ALL of us to get behind Kevin, Darren, Mark and the team whether you are at The LNER Community Stadium, listening on the radio, or listening on Blues TV, or watching on Vanarama National League TV.

The Dream Team’s Southend United Vanarama National League Away Team against York City



The LNER Community Stadium is ready for action at 15.00 hrs Saturday 16th September 2023. It looks like we will have light cloud and a gentle breeze for the game,with an expected temperature of 18°C, but feel like 20°C.



The weather forecast for this afternoon at The LNER Community Stadium



Current National League away record after 4 away games

Won 1
Drawn 1
Lost 2
Goals scored 5
Goals conceded 5

League Positions Last Season

8th (2021/22) Vanarama National League Southend United
19th (2020/22) Vanarama National League North York City

League Positions Current Season

23rd (2022/23) Vanarama National League York City
24th (2022/23) Vanarama National League Southend United

Recent League Positions Change


Previous Meetings

Southend United 2-0 York City (Vanarama National League 04/02/23 Att. 5,737)
York City 0-2 Southend United (Vanarama National League 29/10/22 Att. 4,915)
Southend United 1-0 York City (League Two 31/01/15 Att. 6,126)
York City 2-3 Southend United (League Two 20/09/14 Att. 3,307)
York City 0-0 Southend United (League Two 22/02/14 Att. 3,628)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 19
Draws: 13
York City Wins 17

Current Form

Southend United L L W L W D
York City D D D L L D

Current Form Table (Last 6 Games)



Come On You Yellows!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

York City

York City Manager Neal Ardley prematch interview on Youtube before the visit of Southend United

Southend United

Kevin Maher prematch interview on Youtube looking ahead of this afternoon’s game against York City

Kevin Maher prematch interview on OS looking ahead of this afternoon’s game against York City

Kevin Maher – Southend United Manager at training before before the game​

With seven games in 22 days starting on Saturday, Blues Head Coach Kevin Maher says it’ll be tough for his team, but he can take plenty of positives from the performances so far this season.

Maher’s side travel to York City at the weekend, before welcoming Maidenhead United to Roots Hall for the first of three Tuesday night games in three weeks.

In Thursday’s pre-match media session, Maher explained: “It goes without saying that it’ll be a test. Saturday to Saturday hasn’t been too bad, but with the games coming up, what we’ve got of a squad is going to be needed.

“We look back at the weekend [against Halifax] and we went to a team that were fifth and dominated the game without having signed a player in a year.

“It’s testament to the players and everyone around the place that we can go and do that with the squad we’ve got. There are so many positives to take from that – there are a lot of games coming up in a short space of time but we’ll focus on Saturday first.

“We look back at the first eight games and maybe there are only a couple of halves of football where we haven’t really been at it.”

The Minstermen are our opponents, a team who are yet to win this season but who have recently changed managers, bringing in former Solihull boss Neal Ardley. Maher believes they will improve under Ardley’s tutelage.

“We’ve got good memories from last year at York but it’ll be completely different this year. We’re looking for a level of performance similar to what we had at Halifax, but they’ve have got a new manager, who’s a top man and a very good coach. They’ll be on an upward curve pretty soon I’d imagine, so we’ve got to be at our best to get a result.

“I know Neal quite well and it’s always a good game against his teams. It’s a strong team going forward, there’s no doubt about that, and if he gets them playing the way he wants to, they’ll be a force.”

Captain Nathan Ralph took a knock to his shin/ankle area after a Halifax player fell on it last weekend. Maher says the defender will be assessed ahead of the journey north.

“We had a bit of rest earlier this week, but we’ll see how he is for Saturday and we’ll monitor that as we go.”

Ticket details for the match at the LNER Community Stadium are here.

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Kevin Maher speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo about team selection ahead of this afternoon’s game against York City

Tough Test – Southend United Manger Kevin Maher​

Southend United head to York City tomorrow with boss Kevin Maher blown away by the character his side continue to show.

Blues’ squad have brushed aside a huge number of off-field issues to take 13 points from eight games so far this season.

And Maher remains in awe of the players’ attitudes and achievements amid the toughest time in the club’s history.

“When you think you’re getting somewhere you get hit with something else,” explained Maher.

“It’s all the bits and pieces on a day to day basis you have to deal with which people don’t see which is the frustrating thing.

"But we’ve got brilliant staff and the players just want to come in and play football.

“They’ve honestly been next to incredible and it’s a miracle we’re in the position where we should be fifth.”

As it is the Shrimpers sit at the foot of the National League standings after being docked 10 points for financial irregularities.

But Blues keep finding ways to bounce back.

“We’ve got a squad of 15 players, we haven’t signed anyone for over a year and haven’t had a proper pre-season,” said Maher.

“We haven’t trained at the training ground because there’s no water at times and, with all of that added into the mix, for the players to go and perform the way they have is unbelievable.

"It should be shouted from the roof-tops.”

Maher’s side will be looking to pick up more points against York this weekend.

The Minstermen sit just one point and one place above the Shrimpers.

But Maher feels the recent appointment of Neal Ardley as manager will make York difficult to beat.

“It’s a tough game,” said the Blues chief.

“They’ve had a new manager who is a top man and a very, very good coach and manager.

"They will be on an upward curve soon I would imagine and we’ll have to be on the top of our game to get something.

“When you get a good manager going into a team with good players and a decent budget it makes for a strong team going forward.

"Once he gets them going the way he wants to they will be a force.”

York chairman’s Matt Uggla has also been supportive towards Southend this season, donating £10,000 to the Shrimpers Trust’s hardship fund.

And Maher remains appreciative of Uggla’s backing.

"The football community always rallies together, especially when they see other clubs going through things like we have been," said Maher.

"He’s said nice words as well which is nice and it was a such a nice gesture from him which we’re all appreciate of.

"But I’m sure everyone understands that will go out the window on Saturday."

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Big Preview

York City v Southend United
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Overview​

The bottom two in the Vanarama National League clash in York on Saturday, but this won’t be a meeting between two poor sides.

Blues would be fifth if it wasn’t for the points deduction imposed by the league, while York are winless but do have a new boss in Neal Ardley, a man with plenty of experience at this level who guided Solihull to a third-place finish in 2021/22.

It’s the start of a hectic period for all clubs in the division. Blues come off the back of this one into back-to-back home games, before travelling to Aldershot. Games against Rochdale, Oxford City and Woking round off a spell of seven games in three weeks then the FA Cup gets underway.

Let’s put that to one side for now as Kevin Maher’s men look to replicate their performance at FC Halifax Town last weekend and this time, convert enough chances to come away with three points.

The opposition​

Last season was the Minstermen’s first at this level for six years, and it was just about one of consolidation as they finished 19th with a few dodgy moments along the way.

It’s been a similar tale this term so far. Expectations were certainly to improve a lot on last season, but keeping Michael Morton in charged proved to be a mistake and he was replaced a couple of weeks ago.

City have lost four and drawn four of their first eight games. From those four draws, only the 2-2 with Altrincham came against a team in the top half, and York were at home that day.

They did make some impressive signings over the summer, including former Championship Goalkeeper of the Season David Stockdale and ex-Wimbledon man Alex Woodyard, but both have suffered with injury already this campaign.

One addition who has hit the ground running is Dipo Akinyemi. The striker netted 20 goals in 36 games for Ayr United last season, and has already scored four for York.

Previous meetings​

Last season’s clashes with York were our first since 2014/15, and to celebrate, we played the Minstermen three times.

We did the double in the league, Jack Bridge scoring a brace in the latter game in February, but just a week later York returned to Roots Hall and dumped us out of the FA Trophy.

Those results mean the overall record with City reads 19 wins for Blues, 13 draws and 18 defeats.

From the gaffer​

In Thursday’s press conference, Maher spoke about the very busy upcoming schedule. “It goes without saying that it’ll be a test. Saturday to Saturday hasn’t been too bad, but with the games coming up, what we’ve got of a squad is going to be needed.

“We look back at the weekend [against Halifax] and we went to a team that were fifth and dominated the game without having signed a player in a year.

“It’s testament to the players and everyone around the place that we can go and do that with the squad we’ve got. There are so many positives to take from that – there are a lot of games coming up in a short space of time but we’ll focus on Saturday first.

“We look back at the first eight games and maybe there are only a couple of halves of football where we haven’t really been at it.”

Team news​

Louis Lomas is still yet to join in with group training. After taking a knock to his ankle/shin area against Halifax, Nathan Ralph will be assessed prior to the game.

Tickets​

Tickets have sold well and there will be a much larger Blues following than there was at Halifax last weekend.

Despite that there is still a good amount of availability and you can purchase tickets online here.

Adult £22
Concession (60+) £17
Student £10
Junior (14-18) £10
Child (8-13) £7

Ref watch​

Blues players will have to be on their best behaviour because referee Paul Cooper has showed as astonishing 45 yellow cards in six games so far this season, including 11 in his last outing.

Three of those games came in the Premier League’s youth division. Last season Cooper refereed 10 games in the National League North, showing 43 yellow cards and one red.

His assistants are Stuart Richardson and Timothy Walker, and the fourth official is Samuel Ross.

What’s happening elsewhere?​

Solihull Moors are the only remaining unbeaten team, although they do sit three points off the top having drawn four times, and Andy Whing’s men make the short trip to Kidderminster Harriers for the TV guide.

Top two Barnet and Chesterfield are both on the road, travelling to Rochdale and Ebbsfleet United respectively, while Tuesday’s opponents Maidenhead United host Boreham Wood.

Of the other two teams in the relegation zone, AFC Fylde entertain Eastleigh and Dorking Wanderers go to FC Halifax Town.

AFC Fylde v Eastleigh
Aldershot Town v Gateshead
Bromley v Oldham Athletic
Ebbsfleet United v Chesterfield
FC Halifax Town v Dorking Wanderers
Hartlepool United v Woking
Maidenhead United v Boreham Wood
Oxford City v Dagenham & Redbridge
Rochdale v Barnet
Wealdstone v Altrincham
Kidderminster Harriers v Solihull Moors (17:30)

How to follow​

Blues TV is not currently available as we 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.

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Previous Away Meeting

Come On You Yellows!​

 

[The Big Dady]

York City Team

 

[Voice of Reason]

So with Nathan Ralph injured we only have three subs
Hope your pleased with yourself Ron you p***k

 

[Harry Bullocks]

York City Team

View attachment 28757

York City Team

View attachment 28757

Nice one Big Dady

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Does this mean that everyone will get a game this afternoon then

Thanks Ron (sic)

 

[geoffmundo]

And then there were 14……

 

[Holy Joe]

Hope JD can last 90 mins

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Come on you Shrimpers

 

[Holy Joe]

Interesting keV says he has a squad of 15 players - he's excluding Lomas?

 

[MisterStubbs]

As @Jonh explained, we’ve registered 16 players and can’t register any more but is that a league rule or a rule for clubs under embargo because I was always under the impression players under a certain age could play without being registered or is that just football league rules?

 

[Harry Bullocks]

316 of us last weekend at Halifax, more there today

 

[Tony Allen]

We could come to the point of no subs or starting with 10 men - ridiculous isn't it

 

[Holy Joe]

As @Jonh explained, we’ve registered 16 players and can’t register any more but is that a league rule or a rule for clubs under embargo because I was always under the impression players under a certain age could play without being registered or is that just football league rules?

There's a separate thread on how we can sign players to cover injuries

 

[rigsby]

So with Nathan Ralph injured we only have three subs
Hope your pleased with yourself Ron you p***k

We can only make three subs. The 3 coming off are predictable.... Wes, Powell and Bridge. The 3 on the bench are all decent positive 2nd half subs.

 

[The Big Dady]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1703033492920258722

 

[Harry Bullocks]

we might soon be playing "in skins" soon !!

 

[Barling Magna]

No injuries today please......

 

[Blue Yonder]

I was expecting wholesale changes. Think we're getting a bit stale.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

No injuries today please......

No red cards either !!!