Southend United 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers Review!

March 9, 2015 by Alec Hitchman

Blues Rue Missed Chances - Southend United 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Blues boss Phil Brown made one change to the side that drew 0-0 with AFC Wimbledon. Kevan Hurst came into the side in place of Will Atkinson, who I think has a shoulder injury.

First Half:

Blues started brightly, when their early attacks paid off, most of which forced Wycombe ‘keeper Matt Ingram into a few saves. Joe Pigott’s shot was saved by Ingram, before the ball ricocheted up for Barry Corr to head over the stranded visiting goalkeeper, Blues 1-0 up after 14 minutes.

Wycombe almost equalised straight away, when Steven Craig could only put the ball wide of Ted Smith’s post after good work from Matt Bloomfield who set the chance up for Craig.

The Wycombe pressure paid off and they soon hand their equaliser, even if it was lucky! Sido Jombati’s cross from the right hand side fell to Sam Wood. His shot was clearly going well wide of the goal, before it (the ball) hit Steven Craig’s thigh, before looping over the helpless Smith and into the net. 1-1.

Wycombe could have taken the lead not long after, if it hadn’t been for excellent defending from the Blues’ back four.

Second Half:

After half time, Joe Pigott had a golden chance to put Blues ahead. Ryan Leonard’s pass evaded the entire Wycombe defence, and found Pigott, who had beaten the offside trap. However, Pigott took one too many touches and the onrushing Wycombe ‘keeper Ingram pounced on the ball.

Soon after, Blues had the second goal they deserved. Some neat play from Ryan Leonard on the right led to Barry Corr scoring his and Blues’ second goal. Leonard’s tricky play led to him passing the ball across the face of goal, and there was Corr, sliding in to hush the Wycombe fans in the away end.

Blues could have scored two more goals but both chanced were unfortunately missed, first from Kevan Hurst, who’s initial close range effort was blocked on the line by Jombati, before Hurst could only put the rebound wide of the goal. Secondly, Adam Thompson saw his header fly past the post from close range.

Blues were indeed made to rue those chances, (Pigott’s one touch too many, Hurst’s close range effort & Thompson’s header), when Wycombe defender Alfie Mawson headed in from a corner in the 86th minute.

To all Blues fans, this draw feels like a defeat and is definitely two points dropped rather than one point gained.

Other Results:

Accrington Stanley 1-1 Portsmouth FC
AFC Wimbledon 2-1 York City
Bury FC 0-1 Oxford United
Carlisle United 1-3 Exeter City
Cheltenham Town 1-1 Mansfield Town
Hartlepool United 0-1 Burton Albion
Luton Town 2-3 Morecambe FC
Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Northampton Town
Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Cambridge United
Stevenage FC 2-1 Newport County
Tranmere Rovers 2-3 Dagenham & Redbridge

The Table:

1. Burton Albion – 67 pts
2. Shrewsbury Town – 65 pts
3. Wycombe Wanderers – 64 pts
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4. Southend United – 59 pts
5. Luton Town – 58 pts
6. Bury FC – 58 pts
7. Plymouth Argyle – 55 pts
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8. Stevenage FC – 55 pts
9. Newport County – 53 pts
10. Northampton Town – 50 pts
11. AFC Wimbledon – 49 pts
12. Morecambe FC – 48 pts
13. Exeter City – 47 pts
14. Portsmouth FC – 45 pts
15. Accrington Stanley – 44 pts
16. Dagenham & Redbridge – 43 pts
17. Cambridge United – 42 pts
18. Oxford United – 42 pts
19. Mansfield Town – 42 pts
20. York City – 36 pts
21. Carlisle United – 35 pts
22. Cheltenham Town – 35 pts
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23. Tranmere Rovers – 34 pts
24. Hartlepool United – 27 pts