The Mighty Shrimpers went into this game with the NFL graciously saying to Southend United FC go fuck yourselves. With eleven hardly fit players and just 2 subs the NFL decided that player safety, mental health and general wellbeing was not in their remit, allegedly. ( This is possibly what SUFC management would have wanted to say, so Prawnzone has guesstimated their response to the NFL). 8200 in attendance as well as the TNT Sports cameras… 500 Chesterfield fans, curiously quiet for top of the league.
First half and a well organised Chesterfield side, top of the league and 15 unbeaten, showed their pedigree by slotting home a well worked goal on 27mins after Blues had had a couple of chances. A fairly even half played out with wayward crosses from Blues and sharp passing from Chesterfield leading to a 0-1 halfo, still all to play for. Blues needed to get Bridge into the game….
Second half and with GSM and Wreck-it-Ralph pushing up, it was Harry Taylor venturing forward and being tripped in the area for a stonewall pen. Bridgey steps up and slots home on 60mins. Celebrations had hardly died down as Wes Fonguck strode forward and his pass/shot squirmed past the keeper via a deflection, 2-1 Blues! Chesterfield seemed to be at a loss how to chase a game, and with Blues holding solid it was only a late Griggs effort over the bar going close. David Martin holds a hopeful cross and the Blues take the win!