SOUTHEND ARE JUST TOO STRONG FOR THE PIRATES


10:35 - 02 April 2005
Southend United 2 Bristol Rovers 0

BRISTOL Rovers failed to dent Southend's League Two promotion bid last
night as they were soundly beaten by Steve Tilson's impressive LDV Vans
Trophy finalists.

First-half goals from Mark Bentley and Wayne Gray, with a penalty,
proved too much for the Pirates, and the Shrimpers thoroughly deserved the
three points.

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was the visitors' best player, making a series
of superb saves to keep his side in the game.

But if Rovers were looking for revenge for their LDV exit at the hands
of the Essex outfit last night they were left sorely disappointed.

And if the Pirates aim to be challenging at the top of League Two next
season they know they will have to raise their game to compete with the
likes of Southend.

Rovers boss Ian Atkins selected an unchanged side for the third
successive game, sticking with a 3-5-2 formation.

There was a switch on the bench, with Paul Trollope replacing Lewis
Haldane, who has joined Forest Green on loan.

Southend chose the team that knocked Rovers out of the LDV Vans Trophy
last month, with former Rovers skipper Adam Barrett at the heart of their
defence.

The Pirates started well and had the first effort on goal on eight
minutes, John Anderson heading just wide from James Hunt's free-kick.

Two minutes later, the visitors were indebted to keeper Clarke for
keeping the sides level after Craig Hinton conceded a free-kick.

Bentley fired in a fierce shot from 30 yards which took a wicked
deflection, but Clarke reacted brilliantly to push the ball over the
crossbar.

On 14 minutes, the Rovers stopper was in action again, diving at the
feet of Gray after the Shrimpers striker sprinted clear. But unfortunately
for Clarke the ball fell straight to Bentley who calmly rolled it into the
empty net to make it 1-0.

Spencer then came close for the hosts, heading just wide from a Kevin
Maher corner, before Southend made it 2-0 on 26 minutes.

Bentley crossed from the right and as Gray prepared to head goalwards,
he was pushed by Hinton.

Referee Iain Williamson immediately pointed to the penalty spot and
former Wimbledon marksman Gray stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

ROVERS switched to 4-4-2 in an effort to get back into the game, with
Aaron Lescott moving forward from wing-back into midfield.

But it was still the Shrimpers who created the better chances, with
Freddy Eastwood forcing another impressive save from Clarke.

Gray also threatened the Rovers goal again before the break, his
header from a Mark Gower cross hitting the top of the crossbar.

Atkins introduced Ryan Williams at half-time in place of Craig Disley,
with the winger taking up his usual position wide on the left.

But again it was Southend causing the problems, with Gray latching on
to another Maher corner, only to be denied by Clarke from close range.

Southend United (4-4-2): Flahavan; Jupp, Prior, Barrett, Wilson;
Pettefer, Bentley, Maher, Gower (McCormack 84); Gray, Eastwood (Dudfield
79). Subs not used: Holloway, A Edwards, Guttridge.

Bristol Rovers (3-5-2): Clarke; Hinton (Carruthers 83), Anderson,
Elliott; Lescott, Disley (Williams 46), Hunt, Savage, Ryan; Agogo (Forrester
74), Walker. Subs not used: Trollope, Edwards.


[Western Daily Press]
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