Match Preview
Southend United vs Bromley
Stadium: Roots Hall (Capacity: 12,392)
Table Position: 6th
Top Scorer: Callum Powell (7)
Manager: Kevin Maher
Nicknames: The Blues, The Seasiders, The Shrimpers
2022/23 average attendance: 5,360
Stadium: Hayes Lane (Capacity: 5,000)
Table Position: 11th
Top Scorer: Adam Marriott (8)
Manager: Andy Woodman
Nicknames: The Ravens, The Lillywhites
2022/23 average attendance: 2,284
Southend United have the chance to go three games unbeaten on Boxing Day as playoff chasing Bromley make the trip to Roots Hall.
Despite not winning in the league since mid-November, Kevin Maher’s men can come into this game with their confidence high following a 2-0 FA Trophy win over Boreham Wood on Tuesday night.
Bromley on the other hand suffered a humiliating defeat away to National League South outfit Bath City. The Ravens went 2-0 up thanks to first half strikes from Byron Webster and Corey Whitely however, second half strikes from Scott Wilson and Rex Mannings sent the tie to spot kicks which the hosts won 5-4.
Both sides have struggled to find form in the Vanarama National League of late. Southend have only picked up one win in five; a 2-0 win over Dorking Wanderers sandwiched between 2-2 draws with Notts County and Altrincham and defeats at Gateshead and Aldershot Town.
Bromley on the other hand have only picked up one win in 11 games, a 3-2 victory over Dorking last month their only victory since October. This poor run of form has seen draws with Gateshead, Notts County, FC Halifax Town and Wealdstone and defeats to Hereford, Chesterfield, Barnet, Maidenhead United, Woking and Bath.
The head-to-head record between the Shrimpers and the Ravens leans in the formers favour. The two sides have only met twice in their histories with both meetings taking place last season. A Boxing Day clash at Hayes Lane in 2021 saw a Matthew Dennis strike earn Southend a point in front of the BT Sport cameras. The reverse fixture in February saw the Essex club run out 2-0 winners thanks to two goals in three minutes from Dennis and Shaun Hobson.
There is further reason for Blues fans to feel confident ahead of this fixture. Southend are unbeaten at home since September and furthermore they are able to boast a fine festive record. The Seasiders are ten games unbeaten on Boxing Day not losing on December 26th since 2009 when Essex rivals Colchester United ran out 2-1 winners at Roots Hall.
However, Bromley’s Boxing Day record makes for grim reading. The Lillywhites are winless in four Boxing Day fixtures not winning on this date since 2016 when they triumphed 1-0 over Sutton United.
On paper this should be a home win however Southend have only beaten two of the current top half in the National League this season so Bromley may prove to be a tough test.
Key Players
Jack Bridge
A former Raven, Jack Bridge will be looking to get one over his former club on Boxing Day and continue his recent run of form.
The 27-year-old, who is now in his second spell with Southend, re-joined the club from Bromley last season.
This term Bridge has netted four goals for the Shrimpers – three of which have been scored from November onwards.
Bridge spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign at Hayes Lane during which time he bagged three goals.
Previously in his career Bridge has also represented Chelmsford City, Northampton Town, Carlisle United and Concord Rangers.
Omar Sowunmi
A former Colchester United man, centre back Omar Sowunmi returns to Essex with the hopes of experiencing a better Boxing Day than he did at Roots Hall in 2020.
Two years ago, Sowunmi was part of the Colchester side that were on the receiving end of a festive 2-0 loss at Southend when goals from Simeon Akinola and Tim Dieng sealed a Shrimpers victory.
The 27-year-old departed North Essex for Kent last summer and has so far enjoyed a successful stint with Bromley.
As well as helping the Ravens to seven clean sheets Sowunmi has also popped up with six goals – scoring two goals in his last two league appearances.
Southend will need to be aware of the 6ft 6in defender who poses a threat in both penalty areas.
They’ve played for both
Ryan Hall
A football journeyman Ryan Hall played for 15 clubs during his career before retiring at Eastbourne Borough in 2019.
The 34-year-old enjoyed three separate spells at Hayes Lane however it was arguably with Southend where he found the best form of his career.
The winger arrived at Roots Hall from Bromley in 2010 and following an impressive first term with the Blues he notched up 25 assists in the 2011/12 season – a campaign that ended with playoff heartbreak against Crewe Alexandra.
Hall departed South Essex in 2012 for then Championship outfit Leeds United. Following an unsuccessful spell at Elland Road Hall would go onto represent other EFL clubs Sheffield United, MK Dons, Rotherham United Notts County and Luton Town.
Hall played with Bromley from 2008-2010, from 2013-14 and in 2017.
Form
Southend United
L – 1-3 vs Gateshead (A)
L – 0-2 vs Aldershot Town (A)
D – 2-2 vs Altrincham (H)
W – 2-0 vs Boreham Wood (H) - FA Trophy
Bromley
D – 1-1 vs FC Halifax Town (H)
W – 3-2 vs Dorking Wanderers (A)
D – 3-3 vs Wealdstone (H)
L – 2-2 vs Bath City (A) 4-5 on pens – FA Trophy
Head-to-head
08/02/2022: Southend United 2-0 Bromley
26/12/2021: Bromley 1-1 Southend United
My Prediction: Southend United 2-0 Bromley
By Nathan Williams
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