To be honest it was one of those games were most had tried to convince themselves we would get a result – in reality it was an awful draw and we just looking for the positives.
A mid-table League Two team who have a little better fire power up top, best part of 250+ miles away at short of two weeks notice meant it was never going to be the fairytale FA Cup 1st round game most County fans craved.
Although it might have attracted a few of the southern County fans, including chief Sports journalist Oliver Holt, only just over 150 County fans made the trip to Roots Hall to take advantage of the reduced admission costs.
Jim Gannon sprung a surprise with his starting eleven, moving Andy Halls into midfield with Joe Connor coming back into the side at centre-half. Tom Collins started, replacing Sam Sheridan, with Danny Whitehead also dropping to the bench.
Danny Hattersley returned from his scare two weeks ago to take his place on the bench.
County gave a good account of themselves though, battling for 85 minutes before two late goals made it look slightly easier than it actually was for Paul Sturrock’s men.
Corr put Southend in front after 33 minutes, however County and Jim Gannon were dissapointed with the initial decision to give Southend the throwing that they felt should have gone County’s way.
Into the second half and County made some attacking substitutions, Danny Rowe, Danny Hattersley and Danny Whitehead all came on to join Craig Hobson upfront as County went all out attack in a 4-2-4 formation.
Chances came aswell – Danny Rowe had a shot blocked and Hobson missed a chance from a corner, but with County pushing forward for an equaliser it was always likely that Southend would eventually hit County on the break.
When Southend had the likes of Freddy Eastwood to bring off the bench it made that chance of a goal turn into a reality as Laird and Eastwood extended Southend’s lead in the closing minutes to 3-0. In the end you would say that Southend deserved the win but if County would have got the equaliser at 1-1 then who knows.
Paul Sturrock gave County credit for the way they played after the game, speaking to the Southend official website he said ‘”It was a tough game.”
“Stockport have been on a good run lately and it was a cup tie played in the right spirit.’
Goalscorer Barry Corr echoed Sturrocks words “They are a good team,” he said. “I know they are the league below but it is a good league.
“They put up a good fight but luckily we were able to go on and win the game.
“It was a hard fought game and they are a big team and we cancelled each other out a little bit.
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They scored their last two breakaway goals against the run of play as we went all out attack looking for the equaliser. We missed several really good chances. Had one of them gone in before their breakaway goals I am convinced we would have come away with at least a draw. We did not disgrace ourselves and were easily their equals. With regard to the centre half thing I think there is no question that it should be O’Donnell and Tunny. O’Donnell has far better awareness of where his fellow defenders are than Fagbola and reads the game better. However I think in time Fagbola will become a good centre half but he has a lot of learning to do yet. The position that concerns me most is that of right back. It is definately our weakest point.
They gave it a good shot, perhaps we all were a little enthusiastic expecting owt from this one. Never mind back to our league form and we should pick up three points against Barrow on Tuesday night. Will be listening on Pure 107.8FM. Good luck.
O’Donnell and Tunny for me too. Jim will sort it. Three points tomorrow please. Hope it warms up tomorrow otherwise it’ll be a pre-game Old Tom.