Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Forum index | Previous Thread | Next thread
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 17:18 - Oct 8 with 906 viewswessex_exile

Colchester United v Southend United
Tuesday 10th February 2004
LDV Vans Trophy (Southern Area Final First Leg)
Attendance 5,401


Match #17, and we return to a competition that we’ve already visited in the Matches of Yesteryear series, our LDV Vans Trophy exploits of 2003/04. The previous match featured was our glorious exploits courtesy of a Scott McGleish hat-trick at Sixfields in the semi-final. This one in the Area Final 1st leg however is somewhat less glorious. The U’s were managed by Phil Parkinson at the time, in his first full season in control, and mid-table in Nationwide Division 2 — Southend were struggling slightly in Nationwide Division 3.



I’m not sure if the order of the legs for the Southern Area Final was preordained in advance, or drawn from a hat, but the U’s certainly had the least favourable outcome, playing at home first. It is also worth bearing in mind that we were also still in the FA Cup, after beating Coventry 3-1 in the 4th round replay at Layer Rd a week earlier, and facing a trip to Bramall Lane in the 5th round just five days after this match.

The U’s lined up:
1….Simon Brown
25..Sam Stockley
19..Alan White
18..Liam Chilvers
26..Paul Tierney (Wayne Andrews 66’)
7….Karl Duguid
6….Thomas Pinault
10..Kem Izzet
3….Joe Keith
16..Rowan Vine
9….Scott McGleish

On the bench for the U’s was a young Greg Halford, somewhat recovered after Martin Smith had torn him another won at Sixfields in the previous round, whilst Southend had Carl Emberson (their usual no. 1) on the bench. The U’s also listed, at no. 92 on the squad sheet, a certain Bob Hamilton. I’m sure I also remember there was a mix-up over shirts for this match, the referee wouldn’t allow Southend’s kit, and they ended up playing in our clash/away kit — or something like that, maybe the other way around? With T1 and T2 at the Layer Rd end filled out with those from South Essex, I found myself on T3 for this match — not a first by any stretch of the imagination, but not a terrace I usually frequented, and hence a slightly odd perspective from which to watch the game. Though it wasn’t quite a sell-out, Layer Rd was still pretty rammed full, with 5,401 turning up.

I was on a bit of a roll as far as attending U’s games were concerned, and this was going to be my fifth attendance since the beginning of the new year, and I was going to be at two more before the end of February. Until relatively recently, my company had been excavating the Balkerne Heights site at the former St Mary’s Hospital, but that had just finished, so I drove over for this one and stayed at my Mum’s overnight. I had also made plans to meet up with another former visitor to the U’sual back in the day (Centurion, aka Rob), the plan being for me to get a first chance to sample an ale or two in the Corner Bar. Unfortunately, though Rob and I did eventually meet up, not in time for anything in the Corner Bar. Though I didn’t know it at the time, this was therefore the closest I ever got to visiting that hallowed place.

My memory banks are slightly hazy about the specifics of the match, but I do certainly remember Thomas Pinault blasting in a peach of an opening goal on just 7 minutes, to give us the best possible start. Had we held on to it for a bit longer, who knows how things might have turned out, but as is often the case, this wasn’t to be. On 17 minutes, Leon Constantine levelled the scores, after a nice through ball from Tes Bramble (Titus’s brother). Having failed to keep the lead for very long, and coming under increasing pressure from Southend, the next objective was to try and at least hold on to half-time. Unfortunately, this was not to be, with Broughton headed Southend into a 2-1 lead just a few minutes before half-time to give the travelling support much to cheer about.

Although away goals only counted after extra-time, it was imperative that the U’s got at least one back second half, for fear of being too far adrift going into the second leg. As a result, we came out all guns blazing, and were putting Southend under significant pressure…when the unthinkable happened. On 68 minutes, a goalkeeping howler from Simon Brown allowed Tes Bramble’s average shot on goal to squirm through his hands and bobble over the line to give the Shrimpers an undeserved 3-1 lead. From this point on, even more so than before, it was all U’s as we battered them from every angle. Eventually, the pressure told, and in the 75th minute Wayne Andrews (ironically brought on to replace Paul Tierney just before Southend’s third) headed one back for the U’s to send the home fans ballistic. Barely a minute later, with the pressure telling, Drewe Broughton committed his second yellow card foul, and was rightly sent off (though to cheers from the Shrimper support). A flurry of substitutions from Steve Tilson followed, to shore up his defence and of course waste as much time as possible, and Southend just about held on to finish the first leg in front, and with three away goals to their credit.

Colchester United 2 (Pinault 7’, Andrews 75’) Southend 3 (Constantine 17’, Broughton 42’, Bramble 68’)

I went to the second leg match as well, so won’t say too much about that, just in case it crops up on the random match generator. Suffice to say our cup exploits this season probably took their toll on our league form, drawing two and losing six of nine league games played from Christmas through to the end of February. Mind you, the estimated £230-300k revenue from our cup exploits wasn’t to be sniffed at either, particularly given the tortuously restrictive covenants we were tied up in at Layer Rd.

This turned out to be Thomas Pinault’s last goal for the U’s, and he was released at the end of the season. After a trial at Dundee United, and turning down an offer from Northampton Town, Pinault signed a one year contract with Grimsby Town. After falling out with then manager Russell Slade, Pinault left at the end of 2004/05, and a year or so later, reflecting on his time there, had this to say.

Grimsby was a really bad place to live. The town was really old and there wasn't much to do there. It was full of fishermen and it smelled of fish all the time.

This was voted one of the BBC Sport’s Quotes of the Year in 2006, but I think Thomas is still waiting for the good burghers of Grimsby to erect his statue…

Up the U's
Poll: How will we do in 2016/17
Blog: Knees-up Mother Brown #23

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 11:28 - Oct 9 with 868 viewsMoor_Pinot

Fabulous Wessex. I missed that one but listened on the radio. It was a pain to endure!
Hadn't realised it was my namesake's last game for us. Pinault was a decent player.
I think he did play a bit of Conference for Saturday's opponents Crawley - he was too good for them but he then returned here - my memory isn't clear but I think he lost his brother very young to an illness - he too was a pro. Thomas is only about 37-38 so he could probably still be playing in the pyramid out here. [It's taken me 4 years but I now understand the pyramid in France and it is very similar to the UK in standard and steps. The difference is of course, less money and therefore players move on a lot. For example a step four game in the UK might cost £8 admission - here it's free and they've not cottoned on to things like burger bars at the ground yet - all extraneous income has to be begged from the Maire etc. Yet standards are equivalent to ours. Odd]

I saw a superb 25 yarder from Pinault at Ashton Gate - I expect you were there. Think we may have won that one 1-2.

Moor Pinot

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 13:32 - Oct 9 with 857 viewsLeadbelly

Regarding Pinault's comments about Grimsby I'd say he was not far out, based on my last visit there about 20 years ago. Whether or not things have changed I shall find out in a few weeks as I have to go up there for work.

Poll: Safe standing at football; yes, know or don't know?

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 16:49 - Oct 9 with 848 viewsnoah4x4

Recall the second leg very well as I got lucky...... and not what you are thinking....
Had only just moved to Colchester.......

In about 30 years of following football (always loyal to my "local team", Kidderminster, Villa, Bristol City, Millwall, Colchester etc) I had never once bought a ticket in advance (reflecting said teams lack of success during my support!). I didn't here, and in 2004 I also wasn't Internet savvy and had no idea of Southends tiny away capacity. A very kind couple gave me two spare tickets as my wife and I were turned away disappointed from the ticket office, and I was further lured into the U's fold.

I then became a season ticket holder largely to get cup ticket priority for future seasons. Rarely missed a U's game since (also home or away). But ironically, until Spurs in the FA Cup over a decade later, I don't recall ever having to derive benefit from this ST priority reflecting the U's dire cup achievements! Hence, these two LDV Final fixtures cemented my commitment to the U's.
0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 16:55 - Oct 9 with 845 viewsnoah4x4

Lead, the well name Grim-sby football ground is in Cleethorpes.

My lasting memory is the mountains of dog poo everywhere. Gillingham is similar. Yes, they might be deprived areas, but surely picking up one's dog litter is a basic courtesy to the rest of humanity of any class.
[Post edited 9 Oct 2019 16:57]
0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 19:27 - Oct 9 with 833 viewsLeadbelly

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 16:55 - Oct 9 by noah4x4

Lead, the well name Grim-sby football ground is in Cleethorpes.

My lasting memory is the mountains of dog poo everywhere. Gillingham is similar. Yes, they might be deprived areas, but surely picking up one's dog litter is a basic courtesy to the rest of humanity of any class.
[Post edited 9 Oct 2019 16:57]


All dog owners should certainly pick up any deposits made by their animals. I certainly do with my two. It does seem to be something that does not concern the French greatly though, based on various trips to Paris and Lille.

Poll: Safe standing at football; yes, know or don't know?

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 19:37 - Oct 9 with 832 viewsghughes11

What Thomas Pinault meant was "where is the Hippodrome!"

He loved a drink and a smoke - top lad!

One of my idols,as I was doing the same thing. I am a year or two younger. Loved a drunken chat with the Col U players on a night out. Probably not quite as legendary as the McDonough era! (I was only 8 then ha ha)

Poll: What was the main reason for the Col U win versus Carlisle?

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 23:06 - Oct 9 with 813 viewswessex_exile

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 16:49 - Oct 9 by noah4x4

Recall the second leg very well as I got lucky...... and not what you are thinking....
Had only just moved to Colchester.......

In about 30 years of following football (always loyal to my "local team", Kidderminster, Villa, Bristol City, Millwall, Colchester etc) I had never once bought a ticket in advance (reflecting said teams lack of success during my support!). I didn't here, and in 2004 I also wasn't Internet savvy and had no idea of Southends tiny away capacity. A very kind couple gave me two spare tickets as my wife and I were turned away disappointed from the ticket office, and I was further lured into the U's fold.

I then became a season ticket holder largely to get cup ticket priority for future seasons. Rarely missed a U's game since (also home or away). But ironically, until Spurs in the FA Cup over a decade later, I don't recall ever having to derive benefit from this ST priority reflecting the U's dire cup achievements! Hence, these two LDV Final fixtures cemented my commitment to the U's.


No idea how Noah, but I'm sure I know your story for the 2nd leg! Not sure how, but what a way to be welcomed into the Col U story! Thanks for sharing.

Up the U's
Poll: How will we do in 2016/17
Blog: Knees-up Mother Brown #23

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 23:20 - Oct 9 with 811 viewsnoah4x4

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 23:06 - Oct 9 by wessex_exile

No idea how Noah, but I'm sure I know your story for the 2nd leg! Not sure how, but what a way to be welcomed into the Col U story! Thanks for sharing.


Might it have been your kindness Wessex? If so, I am eternally grateful!
0
Login to get fewer ads

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 05:53 - Oct 10 with 803 viewswessex_exile

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 23:20 - Oct 9 by noah4x4

Might it have been your kindness Wessex? If so, I am eternally grateful!


Ha - had it been in my gift, I would have done so willingly Noah, but definitely wasn’t me that time. However, it is conceivable that completely by chance we found ourselves next to each other in the ground and you told me? It really does ring a bell...

Up the U's
Poll: How will we do in 2016/17
Blog: Knees-up Mother Brown #23

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 06:20 - Oct 10 with 801 viewswessex_exile

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 11:28 - Oct 9 by Moor_Pinot

Fabulous Wessex. I missed that one but listened on the radio. It was a pain to endure!
Hadn't realised it was my namesake's last game for us. Pinault was a decent player.
I think he did play a bit of Conference for Saturday's opponents Crawley - he was too good for them but he then returned here - my memory isn't clear but I think he lost his brother very young to an illness - he too was a pro. Thomas is only about 37-38 so he could probably still be playing in the pyramid out here. [It's taken me 4 years but I now understand the pyramid in France and it is very similar to the UK in standard and steps. The difference is of course, less money and therefore players move on a lot. For example a step four game in the UK might cost £8 admission - here it's free and they've not cottoned on to things like burger bars at the ground yet - all extraneous income has to be begged from the Maire etc. Yet standards are equivalent to ours. Odd]

I saw a superb 25 yarder from Pinault at Ashton Gate - I expect you were there. Think we may have won that one 1-2.


Pinault scoring with about 5 minutes to go? If so, pretty sure I was there indeed.

Up the U's
Poll: How will we do in 2016/17
Blog: Knees-up Mother Brown #23

0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 07:52 - Oct 10 with 794 viewsnoah4x4

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 05:53 - Oct 10 by wessex_exile

Ha - had it been in my gift, I would have done so willingly Noah, but definitely wasn’t me that time. However, it is conceivable that completely by chance we found ourselves next to each other in the ground and you told me? It really does ring a bell...


We have stood close together many times since n recent years Wessex and I am sure I have never related the story at such times, so maybe we did first meet at Roots Hall and never knew it.
0
Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 18:26 - Oct 10 with 772 viewsmfb_cufc

Matches of Yesteryear - U's v Southend 10/2/04 on 11:28 - Oct 9 by Moor_Pinot

Fabulous Wessex. I missed that one but listened on the radio. It was a pain to endure!
Hadn't realised it was my namesake's last game for us. Pinault was a decent player.
I think he did play a bit of Conference for Saturday's opponents Crawley - he was too good for them but he then returned here - my memory isn't clear but I think he lost his brother very young to an illness - he too was a pro. Thomas is only about 37-38 so he could probably still be playing in the pyramid out here. [It's taken me 4 years but I now understand the pyramid in France and it is very similar to the UK in standard and steps. The difference is of course, less money and therefore players move on a lot. For example a step four game in the UK might cost £8 admission - here it's free and they've not cottoned on to things like burger bars at the ground yet - all extraneous income has to be begged from the Maire etc. Yet standards are equivalent to ours. Odd]

I saw a superb 25 yarder from Pinault at Ashton Gate - I expect you were there. Think we may have won that one 1-2.


Thomas Pinault had three seasons at Crawley between 2007-10. Then early in the 2010—11 season, he returned to France to join hometown Championnat de France Amateur 2 club RC Grasse. He remained at the Stade Jean Girard until his retirement at the end of the 2012—13 season. He is 37, so retired when he was only 31.

mfb

0
About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024