Powell impressed by Southend response to Plymouth hammering

Posted Tuesday, April 03, 2018 by PA

Southend manager Chris Powell was delighted as his side responded from their 4-0 hammering at Plymouth on Good Friday by beating Gillingham by the same scoreline on Easter Monday.

The Shrimpers struck four times in the first 40 minutes at Roots Hall, with Michael Turner, Theo Robinson, Michael Kightly and Stephen McLaughlin all on the score-sheet.

It was some turnaround for Southend, whose defeat in their previous outing had given Powell a restless weekend.

He said: “The last two nights had been sleepless nights for me. I had been thinking about the team and whether to change things or keep it the same but hopefully I’ll sleep tonight now.

“I’m really pleased for the players and their reaction and intent was first class. In my all my games as a manager I don’t think I’ve ever seen a reaction like that or a performance like that either.

“For 45 minutes it was superb. I’m very proud of the team and the supporters because Friday was tough to take and for us to get four goals is nothing short of outstanding.”

The Shrimpers went in front after just eight minutes when Turner headed home a left-wing corner from McLaughlin.

And, three minutes later, Robinson volleyed in from 12 yards after Ben Coker’s effort had been saved by Gills goalkeeper Tomas Holy to net his first league goal in a year.

Southend went further ahead in the 18th minute when Kightly headed home after a stunning strike from McLaughlin had struck the underside of the crossbar.

McLaughlin also worked his way onto the score-sheet in the 40th minute as he netted against the Gills for the fifth game in succession.

The Irishman headed home a right-wing corner from Kightly before Gills suffered a further blow when Lee Martin was sent off for a poor challenge on Robinson on the stroke of half-time.

After the break, Holy denied both McLaughlin and Dru Yearwood from long range while Gills striker Tom Eaves had a header ruled out for offside.

But the second period was far less eventful and Gills boss Steve Lovell was left ruing his side’s slow start.

“That’s one of the most disappointing first halves I’ve ever been involved in,” said Lovell.

“I didn’t see that coming at all and sometimes things like this hit you.

“Certain individuals have got to have a look at themselves in the first half because they let themselves down and they let the team down and the supporters down.

“The boys were brilliant in the second half, they rolled their sleeves up and gave everything.

“But I feel sorry for all the supporters that have come up and supported us in their numbers.

“If I was in there, I probably would have gone home at half-time.”