Thursday, December 21, 2006

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Sports Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com

LONDON, England: Jamaican international Jamal Campbell-Ryce, a former Charlton Athletic player, had a busy game for Southend against a strong Tottenham Hotspur side, but was unable to prevent his team from going down 1-0 in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at White Hart Lane.

Following the displacement of Manchester United and Leeds United, Southend were seen as a strong challenge to move into the last four, but they fell short, despite a gallant performance from Campbell-Ryce, whose performance helped to push their more illustrious counterparts all the way on their own turf.

After a slow start to game, the Reggae Boy got his game going and impressed both managers and pundits. His best chance in the first half came in the 44th minute, but he was unable to direct a shot at Paul Robinson in goal from 12 yards, as his initial shot was charged down and blocked by Tottenham defender Paul Stalteri.

The short, tricky and pacey Jamaican created threatening chances from the right-flank, but none of his intended deliveries inside the area were fully met by his teammates, and the game ended 0-0 at the interval.

Tottenham came out in the second half looking for goals and their quick marches up the field were the evidence. The Premiership top flight team took the charge to Southend, but goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan was up to the challenge, denying Spurs with a string of saves, until Defoe struck the winner.

The away side managed to get their chance in and it was that man, Campbell-Ryce, who was at it again as he took on the Tottenham back line in the 74th minute with a spirited run, which resulted in a corner. He then raced over for the short corner, knocked the ball back to Steven Hammell, whose cross was just missed by Freddy Eastwood from close range.

Both sides featured in end-to-to attacks, but were unable to break the dead lock during the regulation 90 minutes, which meant that extra-time would have to be played to determine the winner of the match.

After a dull first period in extra-time, Campbell-Ryce came alive again, immediately after the interval - taking on a tired looking Spurs back-line with his pace and busy foot movements.

The Jamaican went down the right-flank and swiped a cross inside the six-yard box, but again, his Southend teammates failed to get a body on the delivery and the ball sneaked across the face of the goal.

However, after a five minute period of pressure, Tottenham, the Premiership’s seventh-placed team, finally got the go ahead goal when Jermain Defoe finished off a cross by Ahmed Mido five-minutes before time from the left wing from 12 yards, to send his team into the semi-finals.

Notably, Tottenham's goal came seconds after Campbell-Ryce had been substituted to give his team some fresh legs on the pitch.

After the game the Southend Chief, Steve Tilson hailed the terrific performance his players put in and admitted that they could not have given anymore.

"The lads in there are all gutted, as they worked so hard and did the Club proud," Tilon told the club's website after the match.

"Everyone worked themselves into the ground. I have had a look after the game and their goal was offside, but these things even themselves out over the season.

"But it is hard to take based on the performance we have just given," he added.

Southend are bottom of the Championships League, following promotion last year, and they have only won one game in the last seven.

The draw for the Carling Cup semi-finals will be held on Saturday.

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