It’s just over six years since Southend were last at Brunton Park when a 1-1 draw was one of their first steps towards promotion during that 2014/15 season.
Fans who were at that game will remember that it was a 90 minutes full of chances – with a particularly interesting five-minute period just before half time.
Antony Sweeney struck with a stunning header to give the Blues a lead to take into the break, or so it seemed, until Conor Clifford pounced deep into time added on for the half to completely change the complexion of the team talk for both managers. His shot, from distance, somehow made it all the way through and into the back of the net.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
A relatively small number of meetings over the years [35 in all competitions] has seen it edge the way of the Cumbrians, with 14 victories compared to 11 for the other Blues.
|
|
Carlisle wins |
Draws |
Southend wins |
|
League |
13 |
10 |
11 |
|
FA Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
14 |
10 |
11 |
Relegated last season, with just four wins from 35 matches, it goes without saying that the Shrimpers will be looking to rectify the situation this time round.
Former Weymouth boss Mark Molesley was installed as manager early in August, having taken his previous club to the National League off the back of two promotions in two seasons.
Off-field troubles saw the club face an HMRC winding up petition in January, but this was dismissed when it was revealed at the hearing that all debts had been paid. Another petition has been raised, but it’s hoped that a move away from Roots Hall will keep the tax office at bay this time round.
On the transfer front defender Shaun Hobson came in from Bournemouth last week for an undisclosed fee, and Barnsley winger Jordan Green also signed the dotted line on a half-season loan deal.
The first game of the season was a trip to the Priestfield where hosts Gillingham scored the only goal of the game to dump Southend out of the Carabao Cup, and that was followed up by an EFL Trophy group game against West Ham United’s under-21 side, where the young Hammers worked hard to claim a 3-1 victory.
Sky Bet League Two kicked off at Roots Hall with the visit of newly promoted Harrogate Town, and it turned into a tough afternoon for the Shrimpers as they were beaten 4-0, courtesy of two goals either side of the break.
Teenager Charlie Kelman burst onto the scene with the Shrimpers when he netted a ‘Goal of the Month’ winning strike on his league debut against Plymouth in January 2019.
Having progressed through the youth ranks at Roots Hall, he earned a professional deal off the back of 61 goals at under-18 level during the 2017/18 campaign.
Seven senior goals last season saw his reputation grow further, and he’ll be looking to kick on again this time round.
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Watch the highlights from our last trip to Roots Hall, a Southend 2 – 0 United victory on 28 February 2015, here:
Referee - Graham Salisbury
Assistant Referee 1 - Mark Cunliffe
Assistant Referee 2 - Graeme Fyvie
Fourth Official - Andrew Miller
The referee for this game is the very experienced Mr Graham Salisbury. He has taken charge of two games so far this season, showing three yellow cards.
Graham was our match official for the last game before lockdown in March 2020 - our 2-0 home victory over Newport County. Omari Patrick and Josh Kayode scored our goals, and Aaron Hayden and Nick Anderton went in the book. County had defender Ryan Inniss sent off just before the break.
Prior to that we last had him as the man in charge for the visit of Swindon Town in February 2020. Edmonds-Green put the Robins ahead, but Aaron Hayden pounced with the equaliser just after the hour mark. There were no names taken on the day.
He was also the referee for the November 2019 Leasing.com Trophy group game at Morecambe. Jarrad Branthwaite scored for United, but goals from Tutte, Wildig and Conlan kept the points at the Globe Arena.
Prior to that he was the man with the whistle for our long trip to Forest Green in March 2019. Nathan Thomas bagged our goal in a 1-1 draw and Tom Parkes was the only name to be taken on the night.
Back to 2018 and he was in charge for the 4-0 away victory at Swindon, just before Christmas. Ashley Nadesan, Regan Slater (2) and Jamie Devitt scored our goals and there were no United names taken on the day.
The first time we saw him in the 2018/19 season was on the opening day when we made the long trip south to face Exeter City. Nicky Law and Jonathan Forte put the Grecians two goals to the good with less than 30 minutes played, but Richie Bennett gave the Blues hope when he struck back just before the break. United battled away, but a late sucker punch from Tristan Abrahams kept the points in Exeter. Jamie Devitt was the only name taken on the day.
A regular referee of our games over the years [including the Wembley final against Southampton in 2010] still one of his busiest evenings with us was for the Checkatrade Trophy group game at Fleetwood in August 2017. A total of 10 cards were shown - including a red for Harvey Rodgers - with Danny Grainger, Mark Ellis, Jamie Devitt, Gary Liddle, Tom Miller and Hallam Hope going in the book for the Blues.
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