This is a preview I originally wrote for www.rageonline.co.uk. Any amendments and corrections will be in italics.
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On Tuesday night Oxford United travel to Southend United for the first since December 2007 when we also played on a chilly Tuesday night in an FA Cup second round replay. At the time, Southend were a League One club, and Oxford were in the Conference with the newly appointed Darren Patterson in charge. Southend duly won three-Nil, despite Billy Turley saving a penalty. The home fixture in the current season was on New Years Day and the Us were pretty much outclassed and were defeated 2-0.
Last Saturday Chris Wilder named an unchanged squad and bench for the visit of Cheltenham Town, and yet again went a goal behind before half-time. After levelling via Tom Craddock, Ryan Clarke parried away a late penalty and so with the disappointment of not being ahead, the team finished the day relieved to have one point rather than none.
Last week’s announcement of the signing of Jennison Myrie-Williams was premature, as apparently the international clearance rules prevent him from signing contracts at three clubs during the season. Those with a keen memory will remember that Craig Nelthorpe faced us three times last season for York City, AFC Barrow and Luton Town, but as the latter two were classed as loans they don’t count. On the last day of the transfer window, Matt Green has gone on loan to Cheltenham for the rest of the season, as he saw his first team opportunities limited following the arrival of Steve Maclean and the success of the other forwards. The club have though signed Simon Hackney from League One Colchester United on loan until the end of the season. Hackney, a 5’8” winger will be 27 on Saturday, and has only made two substitute appearances this season for Colchester following injuries.
The Shrimpers come into this fixture with four wins, two defeats and one draw in a busy January. Aside from their victory over the Us, they have defeated Rotherham United and Barnet away, and Macclesfield Town at home. They lost at home to Cheltenham and Chesterfield, and drew with Bury.
The Yellows go into the match the game in ninth place on 39 points, three points ahead of Southend in 12th, but who have a game in hand.
There have been 22 goals in Southend’s last seven games, so again we predict three goals tomorrow night, presumably with Southend taking the lead in the first half, Oxford equalising, and then Oxford taking all three points with a goal in the last ten minutes. Leading the goals table for the Shrimpers is Barry Corr who has 12 league and cup goals, including of course one against the Yellows.
For those travelling by car, the following warning appears on the Southend website: “Victoria Avenue will be closed from 10.30pm between Fairfax Drive and Cuckoo Corner. A diversion will be in place due to road works taking place around the Cuckoo Corner area”.
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