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A dismal performance by Town in a 0-0 draw at the Galpharm Stadium on a cold winters day.
A crowd of 11,223 came out in force for the festive time of the year but were frustrated as Town didn?t look the part and failed to take their chances.
The nearest Town came to breaking the deadlock was towards end of the match when Martin McIntosh came on as a sub had a chance.
Southend held their nerve, caused Town a few problems at time but lacked that final cut in a game which one goal would have decided it.

David Mirfin was back after a one-match ban so too was Chris Brandon. David Mirfin played left back as Danny Adams was suspended, Tom Clarke was in the starting line up in the heart of defence along with older brother Nathan.
Brandon fitted in at his usual right midfield slot, which meant Taylor-Fletcher was dropped to the bench. Adnan Ahmed and Martin McIntosh were on the bench along with Jon McAliskey who have all been injured for quite a while.

Southend where without Captain Kevin Maher, the ex-Tottenham player was suspended. Freddy Eastwood, Southend?s main threat was out of the side altogether, Luke Guttridge was back in the side after injury so too was Jamal Campbell-Ryce who was on the bench. Shaun Goater was also out injured which was good news at the time for Town.

Southend were hard to break down but as early as the ninth minute Town should have been one-nil up.
A Chris Brandon cross from the right picked out Pawel Abbott just outside the six-yard box,
Abbott, who is going through a drought which has only seen him score one goal from the last ten games following a blistering start to the season, headed a fantastic chance to put Town in front onto the roof of the net when it seemed easier to score.

On 26 minutes the former Preston striker broke clear onto a superb ball from Nathan Clarke, who again had another great performance at the back for Town among with David Mirfin.
Abbott, after holding off his marker guided his shot off target. Abbott is trying but at the moment its not paying off but watch this space I?ll put money on that in one game soon he?ll grab a hat-trick.

The 11,223 crowd were off their seats ten minutes later when the ball landed nicely for Andy Booth but the fans favourite could only hook the ball over the top.
In between that, Nathan Clarke and Booth again had chances blocked from the third of successive corners Town forced as the put pressure on the visitors.

Town at times produced flashes of neat play but it was few and far between as Southend seemed hard to break down and weren?t afraid of getting stuck in. The supply of crosses was plentiful though none of them paid off.

The Shrimpers as they are called, even though lacking their main man in Freddy Eastwood, who scored in the 1-1 draw at Roots Hall earlier in the season but Wayne Gray showed that he couldn?t be taken likely and at times Southend produced some worrying moments for Town but without extending Town keeper Paul Rachubka.

Second half:

Southend grew in stature after the break, realising that Town were having a day off yet much of the game was an untidy midfield battle.

It perked up a bit of Town though when Brandon and Mark Hudson teamed up well and neatly through to Danny Schofield, the attacking midfielder?s finish didn?t match the move as Schofield fired wide.

Southend responded, Mark Gower burst clear of the Town defence on 66 minutes but yet with a clear shot aimed straight at Rachubka.
Brandon for Town then weaved his magic, round the Southend defence he went and from the byline drove in a low, hard cross that no one cashed in on.

Abbott returned the ball from the opposite flank that found Andy Booth, but Booth?s header didn?t have enough power to trouble keeper Darryl Flahavan. Who seemed to time waste when taking goal kicks throughout the match.

Ahmed was brought on for Mark Hudson on 71 minutes and nine minutes later Martin McIntosh came on for his first outing since August in place of Tom Clarke.

It was one of those days for Town, who have now haven?t won in their last three league games but with just minutes of coming on McIntosh had the best chance of the match.
Earlier McIntosh curled a left-footed free-kick from 25 yards out straight at the keeper but on 83 minutes fellow sub launched a free-kick towards the penalty area that found McIntosh,
McIntosh?s header was destined for the top corner but Southend keeper Flahavan got up well to tip the ball over the bar.

At the final whistle some set of supporters booed Town off the field which brought a angry reaction from manager Peter Jackson after the game.
With Christmas only next week, games are coming thick and fast and this is the period to pick up points a factor for any teams season.
Next in the league is manager-less Rotherham United at Millmoor on Boxing day, who beat Bradford City on Saturday, their first win in 17 matches.

I would like to wish Terrier-Bytes fans and everyone a Merry Christmas.

Teams:

Town: Rachubka, Holdsworth, N Clarke, T Clarke (McIntosh 80), Mirfin, Brandon, Worthington, Hudson (Ahmed 71), Schofield, Booth, Abbott.
Subs not used: Senior, Taylor-Fletcher, McAliskey.

Southend: Flahavan, Jupp, Prior, Barrett, Wilson, Bentley, Guttridge (Cole 80), Smith (Pettifer 71), Gower, Gray, Lawson (Campbell-Ryce 74).
Subs not used: Edwards, Ademeno.

Referee: Mr M Fletcher

Attendance: 11,223

Please tell me what you think of this report: sean.makin@terrier-bytes.com