Source: FOOTYMAD
Southend United 1, Rotherham United 0 - Report
Southend United 1 Rotherham United 0 - The super Shrimpers stopped the rot outplaying their higher placed opponents and should have had the game secured well before the end. As predicted Blues boss Paul Sturrock brought back Bilel Mohsni at centre back replacing Graham Coughlan, and what a difference he made, you just don't know what you're going to get with the talanted French Tunisian youngster, and helped inspire an all-round improved Shrimpers performance, the best at Roots Hall this season.AN early effort from Blair Sturrock saw Southend United return to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Rotherham United at Roots Hall this afternoon. With just five minutes on the clock the Scottish striker scored from close range. And that was enough to end a run of three successive defeats for Blues. Josh Simpson was the creator of the only goal of the game as he charged down the right hand side of the pitch before swapping passes with Sean Clohessy and delivering a fine cross which was chested home at the near post by Sturrock via the inside of the left post. In reply, Millers winger Nick Law soon sent a 20 yard free-kick over the crossbar and Southend began to look a little shaky at the back. Rotherham failed to advantage though and Blues hit back with Sturrock sending a low, left footed shot wide of the right post from the edge of the penalty area in the 29th minute. Moments later, Michael Timlin sent Anthony Grant charging through on goal but, under pressure from several defenders, the former Chelsea trainee could only shoot wide of the left post. A relieved Rotherham replied when Law sped past the Peter Gilbert down the right flank and teed up Kevin Ellison who warmed the hands of Blues goalkeeper Glenn Morris with a well struck half volley. Having survived the scare, Southend then almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Sturrock saw a fortuitous effort bounce back off the crossbar before his strike partner Barry Corr scuffed the resulting rebound wide of the left post on the volley from six yards. At the start of the second period, Corr was involved again as he bravely headed a left wing cross from Ryan Hall wide of the target and the returning Bilel Mohsni then also nodded past the left post after being set up by Peter Gilbert. Corr then headed a free-kick from Hall wide of the same upright and, with Blues continuing to push for a second goal, Hall volleyed a left wing cross from Grant past the opposite post. Corr then saw a low effort tipped around the right post by Millers goalkeeper Andy Warrington but the save was missed by referee Phil Crossley who awarded a goal-kick. Southend still looked comfortable but in the 81st minute they were forced in to making their first substitution of the afternoon as Chris Barker limped off and was replaced by Graham Coughlan at the heart of the defence. Two more attacking alterations soon followed with Louie Soares and Harry Crawford entering the action but they saw little of the ball as Blues held on to bag all three points.
