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THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP |
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SOUTHEND UTD
3 - 0 TILBURY |
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Southend United surged into the
quarter-finals of the FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup as they swept
aside Tilbury 3-0 at Roots Hall.
The Shrimpers named four members of their First Team squad in the
starting line-up, including highly-rated forward Leon Clarke. But it
was two precocious talents in Franck Moussa and Peggy Lokando that
grabbed the headlines, sharing the three goals between them.
Tilbury, who knocked out competition holders A.F.C. Hornchurch in
the previous round, were intent on testing their Coca-Cola League
One opponents and Erkan Yusuf brought a good save from Southend
shot-stopper Nathan McDonald in just the 2nd minute.
At the other end, a well-controlled chip from Clarke set Jamie
Forshaw through and he forced Paul Agu to turn a curling shot away
from goal. The impressive Dockers custodian could do nothing on 16
minutes when Moussa inadvertently opened the scoring. The Belgian
Under 19s international's heel connected with Forshaw's free-kick,
wrong-footing a helpless Agu.
The goalkeeper made a good save from Moussa's free-kick on the
half-hour, whilst his opposite number was called into action when
Kurt Smith was released one-on-one with the youngster. McDonald
stood up well before pushing the forward's effort around the post.
Both Clarke and Moussa unleashed ferocious efforts before half-time
that Agu saved confidently, but McDonald again stole the show as he
reacted quickly to brilliantly deny Smith's close-range header.
Southend quickly extended their lead four minutes after the
interval; Moussa's corner was helped on to central midfield partner
Lokando by Medi Abalimba, and the former Arsenal trainee slashed
home from twenty-five yards.
The hosts made a series of changes, introducing Youth Teamers Stuart
O'Keefe, David Obaze and Rhys Henry, but midway through the second
period it was Moussa's free-kick that flashed past the left upright
and then Forshaw who encouraged Agu to make yet another impressive
stop.
The final goal arrived eleven minutes from the end, the product of a
superb sweeping move initially involving O'Keefe and Henry. When the
latter's centre was cleared, O'Keefe swung in an excellent cross to
the far post, where Clarke nodded down for Moussa to unleash a
searing strike into the top right-hand corner.
The 18-year old could have completed his hat-trick, but an audacious
overhead kick whistled over the crossbar and, despite late chances
going awry for strikers Henry and Clarke, Southend confidently took
their place in the last eight.
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Pictures courtesy of David
Scriven
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Southend United: Nathan McDonald,
Kerrea Gilbert, Dan Harvey, Franck Moussa, Tom Hopkins, Ricky Byrne
(David Obaze, 46), Richard Priest (Stuart O'Keefe, 46), Peggy
Lokando, Leon Clarke, Medi Abalimba (Rhys Henry, 60), Jamie Forshaw.
Unused Substitutes: Luke Thurlbourne, James Lindie.
Tilbury: Paul Agu, Danny Smith, Sam Holloway, Jay Taylor,
Marc Clarey, John Hefford, Andre Humphrey, Danny O'Connor (Lloyd
Anthony, 68), Kurt Smith, Erkan Yusuf (Lee Springer, 68), Luke
Stanley (Chris Stowe, 60). Unused Substitutes: Babatunde Olagunju,
Ben Eaton.
Bookings: Southend: Clarke (54, unsporting behaviour). Tilbury:
Smith (54, unsporting behaviour), O'Connor (62, unsporting behaviour),
Holloway (88, unsporting behaviour), Clarey (89, unsporting
behaviour).
Referee: Steve Rubery (Ilford).
Assistant Referees: Graham Atkins (Southend-on-Sea) and Ian Hogg (Basildon).
Attendance: 220.
Man of the Match: Franck Moussa (Southend United) - In a
match full of candidates, this midfielder shone brightly. He brought
his recent First Team experience to the fore in a confident, assured
display, capped with two goals. |
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