Only a slip up along the lines of Devon Loch in the Grand National can possibly stop Yeovil Town taking their rightful place in Coca Cola League One following this afternoon's brave and battling victory at Roots Hall.
In front of over 11,000 fans, including some 1,600 from Yeovil, The Glovers ground out the victory they needed based on a bedrock of some superb defending from the entire back line but with Efe Sodje and Terry Skiverton both putting in superb displays.
With Darren Way have been struck down with food poisoning Gary Johnson was forced into some changes and he gave Colin Miles a welcome return at left back, Andy Lindegaard came in for Kevin Gall and Bartosz Tarachulski started up front.
Predictably Southend started well and had most of the possession in the early stages but it was not way one way traffic and when Yeovil did attack Phil Jevons and Bartosz were both looking dangerous.
In a match of such importance to both sides is was perhaps predictable that the game wasn't a classic, but with an atmosphere such as we had, it was certainly exciting and nerve racking.
Yeovil were forced into a change after 30 minutes when Bartosz Tarachulski had to come off with a suspected broken toe. Marcus Richardson came on to replace him and was in fact unlucky not to put Yeovil in front when he "scored" but the effort was adjudged to be offside.
Within fifteen minutes of coming on though, Richardson too had to go off with a suspected hamstring strain. The injury couldn't have been helped when he collided with the perimeter fencing heavily when chasing and crossing a
Lee Johnson through ball that almost created a chance for Paul Terry but Flahavn saved well.
So as half time approached, and with Andrejs Stolcers on for Richardson, things weren't looking too great for Yeovil. Both recognised strikers off injured and Scunthorpe and Swansea both winning - not the greatest scenario.
Half time: Southend United 0 Yeovil Town 1
However a stirring half time talk from the Gaffer and Yeovil returned to action and started to dominate the play.
Kevin Amankwaah was making more runs from deep, Paul Terry was in charge in midfield with Lee Johnson, and Phil Jevons was always a threat.
Southend seemed to be running out of ideas as the sound Yeovil defence didn't look likely to crack, although almost on the hour they did have their best chance of the game when Maher set up Gray but he headed straight at Yeovil keeper Steve Collis.
Prolific goalscorer Freddie Eastwood was having his own battle with Amankwaah and he nearly set up a chance for Gutttridge be he miscued his shot wide instead of at the target.
Slowly you felt Yeovil were controlling the game with Collis hardly in danger, but he had to be alert when Maher created a chance for Southend in the 70th minute.
Yeovil eventually sent their travelling army of fans into raptures in the 83rd. minute when Davies picked up the ball just over the half way line. His run took him into acres of space and as Spencer Prior ran into to try and stop his shot the ball fell to Phil Jevons who coolly chipped the ball past Flahavan and into an empty net.
Sixteen hundred Yeovil fans go wild but with some 7 minutes still left and an added 2 minutes of injury time it was to be a hectic finale as Southend threw everybody up front in a desperate effort to draw level.
Yeovil held firm though and a place in League One can only be denied them if they lose at home to Lincoln and all the other games went the wrong way.
It had not been the greatest spectacle but I suspect those present will long remember the sight of that Jevons chip hitting the back of the net.
So next Saturday should be party time at Huish Park when rumour has it Sir Gary will be arriving by Popemobile.
You have been warned Benedict!!
Final Score: Southend United 0 Yeovil Town 1
30th. April 2005, 3pm kick-off.
Conditions: Dry, warm and sunny
Pitch: Good
Scorers: Jevons (83 mins)
Attendance: 11,735
Referee: P.Melin
Assistants: T.McCoy, G.Ward
Bookings:
Yeovil: None
Southend: Wilson
Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)
13. Steven Collis 12. Kevin Amankwaah 14. Efetobore Sodje 4. Terry Skiverton 5.Colin Miles 7. Paul Terry 16. Andy lindegaard 8. Lee Johnson 18.Bartosz Tarachulski 11. Phil Jevons 25. Arron Davies
Subs: 1. Chris Weale (GK) 3.Michael Rose 9.Kevin Gall (73 mins for Miles) 10.Marcus Richardson (30 mins for Tarachulski) 27. Andrejs Stolcers (45 mins for Richardson)
Southend United: 13.D.Flahavan, 2.D.Jupp, 6.A.Barrett, 7.M.Gower, 8.K.Maher, 10. C.Pettefer, 14.W.gray, 15.S.Prior, 18.C.Wilson, 23.F.Eastwood, 29.L.Guttridge
Subs: 1.B.Griemink, 5.A.Edwards, 9.M.Bentley (66 mins for Guttridge), 11.L.Dudfield (80 for Gower), 28. A.McCormack
