Shrimpers boss hails John White and Mark Oxley after Bradford win

Posted Sunday, April 29, 2018 by PA

Manager Chris Powell paid tribute to key duo John White and Mark Oxley as Southend celebrated their third win in eight days – a 2-0 success at Bradford.

Both goals came in the space of six second-half minutes.

White broke the deadlock, putting Southend ahead in the 72nd minute with a header from Stephen McLaughlin’s cross.

The second, in the 78th minute, came at the end of a swift breakaway orchestrated by Dru Yearwood, who then passed the ball to Marc-Antoine Fortune and his shot took a deflection off defender Nat Knight-Percival before looping into the far corner.

The two goals came after Oxley made two crucial goal-line saves in the 56th minute – first to keep out Timothee Dieng’s header then blocking substitute Dom Poleon’s effort when the ball came out to him.

Powell said: “John White is a character – not loud, understated, but a leader in the way he plays and the lads look up to him.

“The two saves that Mark Oxley made were testament to the work he does and his concentration levels.

“He is a top keeper, but everyone played their part today. It was a top away performance. We had to dig deep and I’m really pleased for the players.

“It’s been a really difficult week with three games and two long journeys to Oldham and Bradford and we have come away with nine points and three clean sheets.

“It was a real test of resolve and energy on a pudding of a pitch.

“We knew how Bradford play – uncompromising and direct – and we had to fight and show character, but we said that if we get the ball down and play we will get our chances and we did.

“You put in a rearguard performance, stick at it and give yourself a platform.”

Defeat ended Bradford’s four-match unbeaten run, but manager Simon Grayson said: “I cannot fault the players, their attitude and work-rate or desire.

“Both teams cancelled themselves out and the first goal was important.

“We didn’t get the breaks in a tight game. There were scrambles that didn’t go our way and Mark Oxley made two good saves. We put plenty of balls in the box, but we didn’t have the end product.”

Bradford have two matches left – against Walsall who are just above the relegation zone and top-six side Scunthorpe – and Grayson said: “We still want to finish the season positively.

“The two teams we play next week have plenty to play for, so they won’t be dead rubbers.”

To compound their misery, Bradford lost striker Kai Bruenker in the 14th minute, stretchered off with an ankle injury.

Grayson said: “He went up for a header and fell awkwardly. Let’s hope it is not too serious.”