Roots Hall, home of Southend United based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex and play their trade in the National League… But for how much longer?! Nicknamed the “Shrimpers” with one featuring on the bottom left of the club badge.
A very turbulent time for Southend at the moment… Relegated from League One in 2020 and Relegated from League Two the season after… A club that was once as high as the Championship and the only club with a 100% record against Manchester United albeit only one game is now in the fifth tier… And in the relegation zone after a points deduction… MARTIN OUT!
So it’s all the way down the M1 onto the M25… Wasn’t that bad this time actually! To the A127 and into the ground. £5 for parking. A protest has been planned so let’s go check it out. 1:30pm meet up at Pier Hill so a short walk through Southend City centre and… Here comes the protest marching through!
“WE WANT MARTIN OUT SAY WE WANT MARTIN OUT!” To the ground we go. “Martin’s a w***er everywhere he gooooooeeeeeees! Everywhere he goes!” The fans deserve better!
We’ve reached the ground and in we go! £20 for this National league tie! Better be worth it! Out come the teams! The Bottom two of the National League go head to head! Who dares wins?
Kick Off! 2 minutes in and Fylde have a corner, in it comes… Oh dear! Not the start that Southend needed… A free header for Taelor O’Kane and Fylde have the lead with Roots Hall in a pin drop silence with the very few Fylde fans that have made the journey here today. 0-1!
5 minutes later and Fylde come forward again, he makes space for the shot on the edge of the box… It’s wide! “WAKE UP SOUTHEND!”
15 minutes now and Fylde are pushing for a second, it’s played to Jon Ustabasi in the box on the right, he gets his shot away… OFF THE LINE!! So close! Southend are living dangerously here!
25th minute and it’s Fylde again, it’s played to Nick Haughton on the left, he’s just outside the box and he goes for the curler… Oooooh! Just wide!
“Stand up if you hate Martin!” The whole ground is in tune for that one! Southend are starting to come into the game as the first half continues.
Into stoppage time in the first half and Danny Whitehead has a run at the Southend defence, he’s pas them and into the box, he’s going ALL THE WAY… OH! The Southend keeper jumps on the ball and Southend are reprieved! At half time it remains 1-0 to Fylde.
Second half, 56th minute and Harry Cardwell is in, he’s onside… AND HE SCORES!! Southend are level!! 1-1!
65 minutes on the clock and Southend have it down the left, it’s played in towards Harry Cardwell at the back post… OH! He’s headed it wide! Big chance there!
3 minutes later and Fylde hit the ball forward towards Jon Ustabasi who’s in… He’s scored!! Fylde are back in front! 1-2!
81 minutes now and Fylde come again, it’s played to Emeka Obi who goes for the volley… GOOD SAVE!
Into the last minute of stoppage time and Southend are pressing, they’ve got the ball in the box and space to shoot… OFF THE LINE!! What a crucial block that was!!! Southend continue… It’s over! Fylde hold on for the win!
FT: Southend United 1-2 AFC Fylde
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 5/10 – Not too bad in all fairness! Most of it against the chairman but not too bad.
- The Ground: 9/10 – Great ground! Character and it’s just an all around old school setting! The bar in the main stand felt really homely and non league esque! Great ground!
- Expense: 7/10 – However much on fuel, £20 for the ticket and a bit for food and drink, I just wish the game had a bit more!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – Maybe not the best time to visit with the circumstances but it was alright all in all and I’m glad I’ve finally ticked it off!
27/40