Wednesday May 16, 2012 Semifinal Finished Roots Hall

Southend United 2 - 2 Crewe Alexandra

  • Harris 64’
  • Barker 87’
  • Leitch-Smith 24’
  • Clayton 86’

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  1. Crewe squeeze into play-off final

    Crewe squeeze into play-off final

    Crewe Alexandra squeezed into the League Two play-off final courtesy of a 2-2 draw at Southend that earned them a 3-2 aggregate win. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Southend United
    • Crewe Alexandra
    • 90+4' There goes the final whistle. Crewe back in a play-off final for the first time since 1997. They head to Wembley with a 3-2 aggregate win.
    • 90+2' Mohsni heads over the bar from Hills's cross. This match going right down to the wire.
    • 90+1' We are into four minutes of added time.
    • 89' Southend seeking the third goal to force this to extra-time. Dramatic finish to the night.
    • 88' GOAL! Barker heads home from close range. Lovely cross from Hall, and we are level at 2-2. This game not over.
    • 87' GOAL! Clayton scores on the break for Crewe. And that is surely the winning goal. Belford left wrong footed. A 2-1 lead, 3-1 on aggregate. All over now.
    • 86' Tootle gets the header away from Hall's corner. Harris caught offside seconds later. The seconds ticking down.
    • 85' Mohsni heads straight at Phillips. Superb cross from Hills, but the forward can't find the leveller. Southend pressing on.
    • 84' Southend trying to roar their side over the winning line. Clohessy on the ball. But his ball forward drifts out of play. Crewe will accept those passes.
    • 83' Southend continue to pump high balls into the box. Clohessy with the delivery. Nodded wide by Eastwood. Goalkick to the visitors.
    • 82' Hall picks out Mohsni, but he is failling backwards. Ball drops over the bar and the visitors have the goalkick.
    • 81' Hall with a free-kick from out wide. Mohsni goes up for the header, but Artell wins it. Corner to the home side.
    • 80' Plenty of time and space for Tootle inside the Southend box. Drags the shot well wide of goal. Poor finish.
    • 79' Clayton and Prosser compete for the same ball before Belford hammers it long.
    • 78' Mohsni continues to win high balls. Winning every ball in the Crewe box, but the Southend players are failing to come up with the required levels of support.
    • 77' Hall fails to keep the ball in play and Crewe have the throw-in.
    • 76' Mohsni wins another header in the box. Got the flick on, but nobody was following in on the back of the header. Uncomfortable moments for Crewe.
    • 75' All or nothing for Southend now. 15 minutes to save their season otherwise it is League Two football next term.
    • 74' Clayton has been wheeled on to take over from Leitch-Smith.
    • 73' A yellow card for Grant. Pretty awful challenge as Bell hits the deck. Lucky to avoid a red card there.
    • 72' Powell earns himself some space before walloping a shot well wide of goal. Chance to finish off the match once and for all.
    • 71' Phillips comes to take a high ball from Timlin. No mistakes this time.
    • 70' Powell taken out of the game late by Grant, but he has been booked for diving. Another strange decision. Was a clear foul from behind.
    • 69' Mohsni wins the high ball again, but straight through to Phillips. Mohsni causing no end of problems for Southend.
    • 68' Mohsni having some real joy up front for Southend. Flicks the ball on, but straight through to Phillips.
    • 67' Hall wins a header in the area, but this time Phillips lets his defenders deal with it before picking up the loose ball.
    • 66' Westwood with a shot at the Southend goal, but the flag has gone up for offside.
    • 65' Southend chasing the one goal that could force this match to extra-time. Offside flag goes up against Mohsni.
    • 64' Suddenly Roots Hall is rocking and Crewe are rattling. Those missed chances in the first half coming back to haunt them.
    • 63' GOAL! Harris nets the leveller for the home side. Phillips made a mess of Barker's cross and the substitute slides the ball home. Game on again.
    • 62' Davis has been booked for a late tackle on Timlin.
    • 61' Powell with more powerful play, but the finish is disappointing as he smacks the ball high into the crowd.
    • 60' Hall does superbly well to earn himself space at the edge of Crewe box only to lift a shot miles over the bar. On we go with Crewe holding a 1-0 lead.
    • 59' Powell slams a cross straight into the side netting. Poor delivery really after doing all the hard work. A goalkick to Southend.
    • 58' The Shrimpers have certainly not given up the ghost here. Pushing for the goal that would make this second leg very interesting.
    • 57' Moore and Hills embark on a foot race. Ball hits Moore last and the home side have a goalkick.
    • 56' Grant challenged Powell, but he is penalised for a late tackle. That was a harsh call.
    • 55' Eastwood hits the other post from distance. So unlucky. Southend have now hit the post twice in the last few minutes. Could easily have spun into the net.
    • 54' Eastwood gets a shot away from 20 yards out. Easy take for Phillips in the visiting goal.
    • 53' Neil Harris has been introduced to replaced Benyon.
    • 52' Timlin cracks a shot at the visiting goal, but it bounces off a post from Benyon's pass. Southend's best move of the night.
    • 51' Powell on the run for the home side. Decides to try his luck but sails over Belford's bar.
    • 50' Eastwood putting the pressure on Eastwood before Hall picks up. Fabulous closing down work by Crewe. So hungry to deny Southend space.
    • 49' Mohsni forced to put the shackles to prevent Dugdale from getting a free header at goal. Crewe the hungrier side by some margin here.
    • 48' Prosser forced to block the shot by Powell. Crewe piling bodies forward seeking a second goal.
    • 47' Moore smacks in a fabulous shot, but Belford dives to swat it wide. Almost the killer second goal.
    • 46' Off we go then in this second half. All to play for at Roots Hall.
    • 45+2' There goes the whistle for the break. A 1-0 lead for Crewe. 2-0 on aggregate. The visiting side should be further ahead.
    • 44' Two minutes to be added to the first period.
    • 43' Mohsni with a long ball down the park, but nobody there. All too easy for Phillips to collect.
    • 42' Dugdale very aware of what is going on to haul the loose ball away from the threat of Benyon.
    • 41' Timlin dances up the park, but the pass is pretty poor. No threat to Crewe before Phillips hammers the ball long.
    • 40' Dugdale makes a superb block on Eastwood's shot. Crewe forced to defend.
    • 39' Hall competes for a loose ball, but ends up chipping the ball straight into the arms of Phillips. We remain at 1-0 in favour of the visiting team.
    • 38' This is Crewe's sixth attempt to gain promotion through the play-offs, and their first in 15 years. Their only ultimately successful play-off campaign was in 1997, which saw them going up to the second tier.
    • 37' Another chance for Crewe, but Leitch-Smith knocks the ball straight at Belford. That should have been 2-0. Crewe wasting some chances here.
    • 36' Hills comes across to win the ball from Moore. Decent tackle by the home defender.
    • 35' Mohsni rises outside of the box, but ends up heading well over the bar. Southend were fortunate to escape from that Moore miss.
    • 34' Leitch-Smith brought down by Barker, but Leitch-Smith is then booked. That is a shocking decision.
    • 33' That is one of the worst misses of the season. No doubt about that.
    • 32' Moore smacks an effort well over the bar from inside the area. Shocking miss after an awful error by Belford gave the ball straight to him.
    • 31' The home fans cutting a frustrated lot at the moment especially 'Luggy' in the home dugout.
    • 30' Peter Gilbert departs injured to be replaced by Lee Hills for the home team.
    • 29' Eastwood is caught offside after converting from close range. Phillips spilled the Hall shot. Good fortune smiles on Phillips.
    • 28' Leitch-Smith tries to chest the ball down, but Prosser does superbly well to win it for the home side.
    • 27' The Railwaymen were in the bottom five in mid-September, but only rose into the top seven in the last three games of the regular season, finishing two points ahead of eighth spot. They were five wins and 11 points inferior to Southend.
    • 26' Mohsni rises to head the ball goalwards, but Phillips comes out to punch clear.
    • 25' Leitch-Smith really impressive so far and gets his reward with a goal. A 2-0 lead now on aggregate for the visiting team.
    • 24' GOAL! Leitch-Smith drives the ball low into the corner of the net from 15 yards out. Superb finish from Westwood's pass.
    • 23' Timlin fires a free-kick high into the box. Poor really as the ball lands in the arms of Phillips.
    • 22' 50-50 split in terms of possession. Little surprise there. Look two evenly matched sides.
    • 21' Sturrock with his lucky white suit on. Southend would dearly love one goal before the break to ease the tension.
    • 20' Moore with the cross at the other end, but no takers on hand to finish. Eastwood smacks in a shot that is blocked. Better from Paul Sturrock's team.
    • 19' Clohessy smashes the ball over the bar from distance after Hall had floated in the corner-kick.
    • 18' Strong defending by Artell to slam the ball out of play. Southend have a corner here.
    • 17' Leitch-Smith on the move for Crewe from Westwood's pass, but the pass is just overhit. Belford happy to collect that loose ball.
    • 16' So far, so good for Crewe. Remember they do not need to change their business plan this evening holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg.
    • 15' Powell lifts the ball high into the air. Not sure if that was a cross or a shot. Easy take for Belford.
    • 14' Southend did the league double over Alexandra this season, winning their meeting at Roots Hall in February, with a Bilel Mohsni goal from close range - his third goal over the two games.
    • 13' Southend United's Christian Dailly looks on from the stands. The former Scotland star is not fit for action this evening.
    • 12' Mohsni pulls the ball back for Benyon, who fires a shot against Dugdale. Slams the ball off his face. Never a penalty in a million years despite the claims.
    • 11' Benyon called offside as Dugdale looks on. Decent enough start for the visiting outfit here, it must be said.
    • 10' Eastwood tries to get on the end of Mohsni's cross, but Tootle is well positioned to clear the danger.
    • 9' Davis tries to dink a ball down the line, but ends up lifting it straight out of play.
    • 8' Westwood picks out Tootle. Nice period of possession play before Gilbert collects for the home team.
    • 7' Bell slips as he fires a shot at goal. Well over the bar from 30 yards out.
    • 6' Mohsni smacks a volley at goal from distance. Decent hit but straight down the throat of Phillips in the visiting goal.
    • 5' Westwood looking for Davis at the back post, but overhits the delivery by some margin. A goalkick to the home team.
    • 4' Timlin brings down Tootle and the visiting side can throw a free-kick into the area here.
    • 3' Eastwood on the ball for the home side before he gives it away needlessly. Grant then sees the ball run of play in the home half.
    • 2' Crewe's 1-0 win in the first leg was their fourth win in six meetings with Southend, and their 10th triumph in 35 competitive clashes over 49 years. The Shrimpers have prevailed in 19.
    • 1' We are off and running in the first half of this match.
    • 19.40 Steve Davis, Crewe manager, on Carl Martin's performance in the first leg: "I thought he was terrific. He pulled up with cramp a little bit at the end and we had to bring him off, but he's been out of the picture since March. He wouldn't have expected at all to be anywhere near the 16. I had a good chat with him and he was ready. He'd prepared himself properly, he'd had an early night - I checked that first."
    • 19.35 Paul Sturrock, Southend manager: "I certainly don't expect Crewe to come here and sit back because they are not that type of team. They're a footballing side and will play their normal way. They will look to counter attack us and will be dangerous opponents for us. However, I'm hopeful and confident of getting the right result."
    • 19.30 Teams: Southend United: Belford, Clohessey. Gilbert, Prosser, Barker, Hall, Grant, Timlin, Mohnsi, Eastwood, Benyon..subs: Morris, Ferdinand,Harris, Leonard, Martin, Hills////Crewe Alexandra: Phillips, Mellor, Tootle, Davis, Dugdale, Artell, Westwood, Moore, Bell, Powell, Leitch-Smith..subs: A. Martin, Clayton, Martin, Shelley, Bodin
    • 19.25 Crewe will assess the fitness of midfielder Luke Murphy. Murphy played a starring role as Alex secured a slender 1-0 advantage in Saturday's first leg at Gresty Road, but made way for Lee Bell in the closing stages due to some tightness in his groin. England Under-18 international Nick Powell took a knock to the ankle but is expected to be fit along with Carl Martin, who pulled up with cramp in his first outing for 12 games at the weekend.
    • 19.20 Southend are facing an injury crisis. Around seven or eight of those who played in Saturday's 1-0 first-leg defeat at Gresty Road are facing a race against time to prove their fitness. Centre-back Mark Phillips (shoulder) is one of those affected having been forced off at the weekend although manager Paul Sturrock is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the identities of the others. And he has had to put his fringe players on red alert for the Roots Hall showdown.
    • 19.15 Good evening and welcome to LIVE coverage of Southend United against Crewe Alexandra in the second leg of their League Two play-off semi-final at Roots Hall.

  • Summary

    • 88' GOAL! Barker heads home from close range. Lovely cross from Hall, and we are level at 2-2. This game not over.
    • 87' GOAL! Clayton scores on the break for Crewe. And that is surely the winning goal. Belford left wrong footed. A 2-1 lead, 3-1 on aggregate. All over now.
    • 85' Mohsni heads straight at Phillips. Superb cross from Hills, but the forward can't find the leveller. Southend pressing on.
    • 80' Plenty of time and space for Tootle inside the Southend box. Drags the shot well wide of goal. Poor finish.
    • 63' GOAL! Harris nets the leveller for the home side. Phillips made a mess of Barker's cross and the substitute slides the ball home. Game on again.
    • 52' Timlin cracks a shot at the visiting goal, but it bounces off a post from Benyon's pass. Southend's best move of the night.
    • 47' Moore smacks in a fabulous shot, but Belford dives to swat it wide. Almost the killer second goal.
    • 37' Another chance for Crewe, but Leitch-Smith knocks the ball straight at Belford. That should have been 2-0. Crewe wasting some chances here.
    • 32' Moore smacks an effort well over the bar from inside the area. Shocking miss after an awful error by Belford gave the ball straight to him.
    • 24' GOAL! Leitch-Smith drives the ball low into the corner of the net from 15 yards out. Superb finish from Westwood's pass.
    • 19.30 Teams: Southend United: Belford, Clohessey. Gilbert, Prosser, Barker, Hall, Grant, Timlin, Mohnsi, Eastwood, Benyon..subs: Morris, Ferdinand,Harris, Leonard, Martin, Hills////Crewe Alexandra: Phillips, Mellor, Tootle, Davis, Dugdale, Artell, Westwood, Moore, Bell, Powell, Leitch-Smith..subs: A. Martin, Clayton, Martin, Shelley, Bodin

Team Line-up & Ratings

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Comment 4 - 24 of 24

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  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A complete and utter farce! It's supposed to be a­ LEAGUE isn't it? Crewe were 12 points shy of the­ upper reaches of the division on the season's­ performance. Yet: put together 180 mins of respectable­ football, and they're now a small step from­ promotion! Totally unfair; the play-off folly is just a­ money-spinning, rip-off, lottery.

    From Stephen, on Thu 17 May 16:48

  2. well done RAILWAYMEN

    From pat, on Wed 16 May 23:23

  3. Where is Crewe? At Wembley in the play-off final of­ course. Simples!

    From Irene, on Wed 16 May 22:09

  4. Cheshire. About 30 miles south of Manchester

    From B, on Wed 16 May 22:08
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Where is Crewe?

    From Waxwax, on Wed 16 May 22:00

  6. Well done the kids from Crewe!

    From Alex Man, on Wed 16 May 21:44

  7. unlucky southend well played

    From shane h, on Wed 16 May 21:38

  8. its not over till the whistle blows

    From shane h, on Wed 16 May 21:34

  9. cmon you shrimpers.

    From shane h, on Wed 16 May 21:33

  10. Crewe on track. Southend stuck in the mud.

    From John, on Wed 16 May 21:32

  11. ALL OVER NOW??? Did you not see the Manchester City vs­ QPR game last week?

    From jamie, on Wed 16 May 21:32

  12. How come there are so few comments here? Its as though­ this is a league two match or something. Seriously­ though, there must be more Crewe and Southend yahoo­ using fans than the comment count suggests.

    From jamie, on Wed 16 May 21:31

  13. come on u blues

    From LEE, on Wed 16 May 21:28

  14. Come on Southend,I have been waiting so long.I really­ want to see Southend in the league 1 next season.

    From Eshan, on Wed 16 May 21:24

  15. Come on Crewe nearly there you deserve it

    From Tony Butler, on Wed 16 May 20:39

  16. Iv turned it over Southend are useless when it comes­ to an important match

    From lance r, on Wed 16 May 20:19

  17. come on southend we are cheering from italy! ciao...

    From Jane, on Wed 16 May 19:42

  18. hope Crewe win

    From MARK, on Wed 16 May 17:47

  19. Looking forward to another great game tonight,,, mutual­ fan... Sunderland fan.

    From Nathan, on Wed 16 May 12:02

  20. come on crewe

    From RYAN, on Wed 16 May 10:06
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