Southend boss Kevin Maher gives an emotional reaction on the stunning win against Oldham amid tough times and a threat to the club’s future.
The Shrimpers put their off-field issues to one side as they stormed to a 4-0 victory against 10-man Oldham to go top of the National League.
At a time when Southend can only register 15 players for their opener due to a transfer embargo due to money owed to HMRC, Callum Powell opened the scoring on 8 minutes.
Oldham went down to 10 men in the 57th minute after Will Sutton lunged at Nathan Ralph.
Oliver Coker made it 2-0 to the hosts, scoring just seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute, netting from 25 yards before Dan Mooney calmly made it 3-0 four minutes later.
Harry Cardwell then got Southend’s fourth in the sixth of 10 minutes added time.
👑 The gaffer’s thoughts on today’s victory. pic.twitter.com/bLcv4Ue5Kp
— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) August 5, 2023
The club website says ‘the result made a mockery of many pre-season predictions’, and on that, Maher said: “I don’t think anyone turning up today expected that. It’s thanks to the fans who came here last week that we had a game on. It’s testament to the players and how they go about their business.
“They’re quite calm in the dressing room to be fair and there’s a few tired bodies. We won’t get too ahead of ourselves but it was just an outpouring of relief from everyone at the football club.
“I thought we started ever so well, having one or two off the line and having an appeal for a penalty. It was nice to get that first goal when we were on top.
“A few times last season we were ahead and didn’t put games to bed, like against Oldham last year. To get the extra goals we did was very pleasing. It was a bit emotional at the end because of everything we’ve been through.”
On their finishes, Maher added: “We know Cokes has got great quality and hopefully he’ll have a good career with us and do well this year. It’s a hell of a finish from Moons – we know he’s got that in his locker. We need to keep getting him in the right areas and that’s up to me.
“We probably didn’t score enough goals last year so it’s great to have Cards off the mark as well. I thought he was exceptional leading the line – a goal was the least he deserved. We haven’t got too many strikers in the building so I’m delighted for Cards and Powelly.”
Maher concluded: “There’s no doubt that Oldham will be around it. As I’ve said before I think the strength of the football club is its fans and the staff who’ve stayed loyal to the football club.
“That one was for them and they can all go home and enjoy it. I’ll enjoy it tonight but the madness starts again on Monday!”
Blues XI: Andeng-Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Ralph (c), Kensdale, Bridge (Demetriou 90+1′), Husin, Cardwell, Powell (Mooney 72’), Taylor, Miley, Fonguck (Coker 81’). Subs Not Used: Wood
Oldham Athletic XI: Norman, Kitching, Hogan (c), Hobson, Shelton, Nuttall (Fondop 71’), Ward (Dickenson 29’), Sheron, Raglan, Sutton, Norwood. Subs Not Used: Hudson, Willoughby, Gardner
Referee: Richie Watkins
Assistants: Andrew Gray & Christopher Darling
Fourth Official: Gerry Heron
Scorers:
Southend United: Powell 10’, Coker 84, Mooney 87’, Cardwell 90+6’
Oldham Athletic: None
Yellow Cards:
Southend United: Miley 34’, Kensdale 59’, Coker 90+9’
Oldham Athletic: Norwood 18’, Hobson 24’, Hogan 42’, Dickenson 45+3’
Red Cards:
Southend United: None
Oldham Athletic: Sutton 57’
Oldham Athletic assistant manager John Ebbrell, in charge with David Unsworth absent due to Covid, thought Will Sutton shouldn’t have been sent off.
“As soon as it happened, I knew there was a decision to make,” Ebbrell said.
“I didn’t think it was a red card.
“It was all grass as supposed to going into someone’s leg.
“Probably the reaction to it gave the referee a decision to make.”
On the defeat, he adds: “It was a long afternoon and we’re massively disappointed with the result,” said Ebbrell.
“They started brighter than us and credit to them, they were really sharp.
“We’ve got to match that and match what they do.
“We knew it would be tough,” said Ebbrell.
“It was almost the perfect storm with them all pulling together.
“I think there’s been a bit of chaos here, I don’t much about that, but they all seemed to be on the same page today.
“They started incredibly quickly but we have to take stock.
“It’s the first game of 46 and we won’t overreact to what’s happen today but we know we must do better.”
This is what fans had to say as Southend boss gives an emotional reaction on the stunning win against Oldham amid tough times they’re going through behind the scenes…
@plbacon: New owners (whenever they turn up) give this man a 10 year contract!!
@SenseiPhil2: A special guy and very talented coach. Lucky to have him!
@gcfirestorm: Very well said @kevlaa7 …A Legend by the sea if ever there was one. I am proud to have you , your team , the players , staff and the fans at my club . Shame about man at the top though ….
@simoncooper99: We are so lucky to have @kevlaa7 as our manager, never takes any credit for the wins yet always says its down to him when we lose, it’s down to him and staff that the players looked fit and full of running, deserves success.
@persianpunch: What a gaffer. Southend extremely lucky to have him 👏👏
@Prestonoldham51: Result aside what a top man Maher is. Staying loyal when he could have been walked. As a player you’d run through brick walls for him. #oafc
@FarmdogSUFC: Would run through a brick wall for this man
@IamJayL: Absolute 👑 @kevlaa7
@natashaboo7: Absolutely superb 👌….bloody well deserved 💙💙💙💙💙
@HarryConstabl13: We slip and slide as we fall in love and I just can’t seem to get enough of you SUPER SOUTHEND ❤️🦐💙
@Kaylalula: Just brilliant stuff – the difference between a group of players who know and play to each others’ strengths and a group of strangers 💥
@J_849: Well deserved for the players and supporters who have endured so much this year.
@BrodyStopher16: All credit to the back room staff and players, truly remarkable! #MartinOut
@SteveShelsher: Suitors look what you could be buying into?! ?!The fan base, the team, the potential. So proud to be a supporter of this club, unbelievable!!!!!
@MickCordukes: Great result for you guys . The results today proves you don’t always need money .
@Brighton_Peer: Get in there Southend, what a start to the season. After everything your club has gone through, your fans deserve something to cheer. From a very happy Brighton fan in residence in Southend. Sea sea Seasiders 💙😃
@MPD211967: What a result!! Especially in the circumstances! Full credit to everyone at the club!
@JDLeadbetter81: Performance of the weekend, without any shadow of doubt. To thump one of the title favourites 4-0 with just 4 players listed on the bench, no sub keeper & after a horrendously stressful summer with virtually no pre-season is miraculous. What a club this is…. 😍🔵🦐 #MartinOut
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