Sunk in Southend

I`m sure that over the years many ships have sunk in the seas surrounding Southend-one of the most famous examples is the ship captained by Sir Alex Ferguson who saw his crew defeated last season in the Carling Cup. This year it was the turn of the good ship Boothroyd to spectacularly sink at Roots Hall.

Boothroyd made sweeping changes to his crew bringing in experienced admiral Matt Jackson at the back in a completely changed eleven from Saturday. As a reward for his performance against Gillingham, Alex Campana started. Steve Tilson was without 'skipper Kevin Maher or left back Steven Hammell.

After just twenty minutes Watford found themselves in deep water thanks to a strike from Charlie Macdonald. A new signing at Southend, the young forward was able to slot the ball into the far bottom corner from a perfectly timed through ball. This was by no means an isolated case as for the whole night Matt Jackson was troubled by the movement and mobility of Macdonald.

Frustrated and behind, 'skipper for the night Al Bangura took the chance to vent his spleen by participating in a shoving match with Alan McCormack. Referee Mr Singh promptly booked both players, although had the referee followed the letter of the law, Bangura could have compounded Watford`s woes by having to walk.

Southend signed off following a perfect half with Franck Moussa somehow heading straight into Richard Lee`s grateful arms after a Lewis Hunt cross picked him out perfectly.

Half-time: 1-0

With just nine second half minutes gone, Southend won the tie with their second goal. Again, Charlie Macdonald had a hand as his pull back found Matt Harold to slide in and notch number two from just six yards.

There were several other good chances for the Shrimpers as Macdonald shot straight at Richard Lee after a through ball whilst Tommy Black headed over when unmarked, he was thankfully offside. Macdonald nearly had his brace but was denied from a Black cross by a splendid Richard Lee save.

With fifteen minutes to go Watford were unable to muster any mentionable efforts as their second string side crashed out the League Cup-a second-string side with nine Premiership-experienced players. A side playing a team a division below, without their 'skipper, regular left back or a even Freddie Eastwood (whose Wolves side drew Vs Morecambe-yes it could be worse!)…

Full-time: 2-0

Teams:
Southend: Flahavan; Francis, Barrett, Richards, Hunt; Black, McCormack, Bailey, Moussa; Macdonald and Harold.

Watford: Lee; Mariappa, Jackson, Avinel, Parkes (O`Toole); Campana, Bangura (c), Rinaldi, McNamee; Priskin and Hoskins.

Referee: Mr Singh

Charlie Macdonald-One goal-should've been more, and an assist for the second.A constant pest to Matt Jackson. Aidy Boothroyd-4
Still doesn't respect the Carling Cup. Steve Tilson-7
A good 'giant killing' for his boys, minus key players.

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