Shrimpers all at sea
SOUTHEND’S Football League survival hopes were left hanging by a thread after another dismal home defeat.
Mark Molesley’s side now have only seven games left to save their skins as National League football looms, after a 12th home loss of the campaign.
Carlisle’s win – their second on the bounce – left them only three points outside the play-off places, and Chris Beech’s side totally dominated at Roots Hall.
But it could have been so different for struggling Southend, who fell behind to Offrande Zanzala’s excellent early strike, if Simeon Akinola had not totally fluffed his penalty just before the break.
Molesley said: “Simeon has a style of taking penalties and it has served him well, but it just didn’t go for us.
“It was a great chance to get back in the game, but we didn’t take it. But SOUTHEND: Oxley 6; Demetriou 5 (Mellis 73, 6), Hobson 5, Cordner 6, Clifford 6; Nathaniel-George 6, Ferguson 6 (Bwomo 73, 6) , McCormack 6 (Taylor 34, 6), HackettFairchild 7; Acquah 5 (Holmes 59, 6), Akinola 5 (Goodship 73, 6).
CARLISLE: Farman 7; Tanner 7, Hayden 7, McDonald 7, Armer 7; Riley 7, Guy 6, Mellish 7 (Anderton 83); Patrick 7 (Toure 73, 7), Zanzala 8 (Walker 80), Alessandra 7.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Offrande Zanzala. Finished ruthlessly and gave Southend all sorts of problems with his strength. REFEREE: Alan Young 7. there are no excuses. We have to show a lot more. We let the game drift and we paid for it. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves – there are still seven games left and there are points to play for. Every game from now is vital.”
There were only 17 minutes on the clock when Congolese striker Zanzala picked up the ball and drove through the middle unchallenged to fire low into the Southend net.
The Shrimpers created very little – but when Callum Guy tripped Akinola and referee Alan Young pointed to the spot, they should have capitalised.
Akinola’s shuffling run-up though saw him shoot weakly straight at Paul Farman for one of the easiest saves he will ever make.
Carlisle never looked back. Ten minutes from time Lewis Alessandra found sub Gime Toure free in the area, and the big Frenchman took one touch and slotted the ball calmly into the far corner.
Beech said: “We have one of the best home records in the division, but I challenged the players to improve our away form.”
Southend by stark contrast are now five points from safety – have won only eight games all season, and not scored at home in six.