Vanarama National League, Saturday 3rd February
My first game of February 2024 saw me over at Roots Hall for Southend United's first game at home for a month, and the first one I have seen since the new consortium led by Aussie Justin Rees had taken over from Ron Martin, in fact their last home game, a 3-0 win over FC Halifax Town, was the first game since they announced the take over had been completed back in early January, a nice new year present for everyone associated with The Blues.
This came after a long drawn out take over with the old owner Ron Martin making things as difficult as possible, unsurprisingly of course, but thankfully things did take place and allowed the new owners to come in and sort out the immediate finances and finally get a sixteen month transfer embargo lifted meaning the Blues could finally make some signings and sort out contract issues too so the side could have a bigger squad than the sixteen they had only been allowed under the embargo.
The lift of that embargo was also a relief and a late Christmas present for the hosts, this after a pretty disappointing December on the field, The four league games yield defeats against high flying Bromley & Barnet, with the latter netting back to back wins over the Blues over the festive period, they did manage a win at Kidderminster Harriers in between the Bromley & Barnet home games, but defeat at home to Hampton & Richmond Borough in the Trophy in early December on penalties sort of set the tone for the month.
2024 had started well for the Blues though, on and off the field, as mentioned above they began the year with a resounding 3-0 home win over FC Halifax Town before netting a 1-0 at Eastleigh, and although they were beaten 3-0 at runaway league leaders Chesterfield last time out, The Blues were feeling good about themselves once again, so came into this one very confident against a side who had lost three on the bounce on the road without scoring.
The Heed's December form in December was mixed, a thumping 5-1 win at Rochdale in the FA Trophy was followed by a loss at home to FC Halifax Town in the league, a win a Oldham Athletic then followed before a draw at home to York City, then the new year saw losses at York, Chesterfield and Dorking Wanderers, although they managed a penalty shoot out win against Weston-super-Mare to reach the Last 16 of the Trophy.
They do come into this game however with a very impressive 2-1 home win over Barnet, so this would have given them a lot of confidence, and they knew a win at Roots Hall could possibly see them into the play-off places if other results went their way.
Now Southend sat in 15th spot and only four points above the drop zone, mainly because of that ten point deduction they encountered early on in the season due to their off the field issues, whilst Gateshead were in eighth spot and two points off seventh placed Aldershot who occupied the final play off position, it was worth noting too that had The Blues not been deducted those points, they would be a point above their opponents in the table, so this could have been an 8th Vs 9th clash and an important game in terms of the play off chase, as it is though the sides needed the points for very differing reasons, but it was expected to be a tight game between two well matched teams.
This was certainly the case when the two sides met in the North East in late November, with Harry Cardwell's 75th minute leveller earning a point for The Blues after Stephen Wearne had given the hosts a 14th minute lead at The Gateshead International Stadium, and it was certainly the case in this contest too, the first half was tight for sure, The Blues certainly began the contest well but then saw two chances for the visitors almost see them go behind.
Dinanga flashed a shot across goal and just wide before a brilliant free kick from Francis seemed to be dipping under the the bar but hosts keeper Collin was equal to it to push it over the bar, but Southend then had two decent chances of their own, a low ball into the box from Fonguck found Husin whose goal bound effort was well blocked, and then Cardwell so nearly got on the end of brilliant ball in by Bridge, however the first half was to end goalless.
Twelve minutes into the second period though came the breakthrough, and it went to the visiting side who had started the second period the better, a scramble inside the box saw the hosts desperately try to clear their lines, but Dinanga swung a boot at the ball to find the net and give Gateshead something to hold onto in the remaining half an hour or so of the contest. Could the Blues recover and gain at least a point, like they had done up in the North East?
The majority of the 6,372 inside the ground certainly hoped so, Waldron & Ralph could not direct headers from Bridge's crosses on target, and Caldwell glanced a header wide from a Morton cross before Ralph then saw a low strike saved by visiting keeper Beach as the hosts did all they could to try and salvage something from this contest.
The hosts were then given a boost when eight minutes added on time was displayed, much to the dismay of the visitors and their 61 hardcore fans who were now clinging on to their slender lead, and The Blues then struck the goalframe twice in a minute, Cardwell flicking on Bridge's corner and seeing that strike the far post before Ralph saw his header from the resulting corner hit the crossbar and come down the wrong side of the goal line in the hosts mind's at least.
You kind of felt it wasn't going to be the hosts day thereafter and after the eight minutes had elapsed Gateshead could celebrate a very good win at Roots Hall and see them enter those play off places on goal difference after Oldham Athletic dropped points at Ebbsfleet United in the late game to send them back to the North East very happy indeed.
As for The Blues it's back to back defeats now after a good start to the year, they are now only two points above the drop zone although they do have three games in hand but need to make sure they make those games count, although I do feel they will have enough not to be sucked into that relegation battle and hopefully finish comfortably in mid table at least when the season does finish. You never know, a good run could see them finish higher but staying in the league this season is paramount after what has gone on before, hopefully the future is bright for The Blues.
Full time Southend United 0 Gateshead 1
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