Penney targets high-point finish

BROTHERS IN ARMS: Paul Warhurst (second, left), Andy Ritchie and Ian Marshall, who were in the Athletic squad which reached the Littlewoods Cup final 20 years ago, were the guests at a question and answer night at Shaw Cricket Club. The event was organised by another former Athletic player Matthew Tipton (left).

HAVING come through an extensive rough patch that threatened Athletic’s existence in Coca-Cola League One, manager Dave Penney wouldn’t mind this season going on and on.

The creditable goalless draw at Southampton gave Athletic a record of only one defeat in the last six games, during which time 11 points have been picked up to all but ensure safety from the drop.

Southend travel to Boundary Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off) in the penultimate home match of the season.

Penney says there will be no room for sentiment for the likes of on-loan goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan, who made 351 career appearances for the visitors, and is aiming to claim another win that would condemn the visitors to League Two next season.

“Southampton had to win in midweek and that made it a good game, so hopefully (Southend’s situation) will make it a good one for us,” said Penney.

“We want to win and finish on a high at home by putting on a good performance and hopefully getting some goals.

“Most people are back to fitness and the end of the season is probably coming a little bit too quickly for us at the moment.”

Penney expects to give captain Sean Gregan his 73rd consecutive appearance in an Athletic shirt, and believes his side are fresh enough to put on another good performance tomorrow despite a heavy recent workload.

“We will have had seven games in 22 days come tomorrow,” added Penney.

“But the players have been excellent. We have got ourselves out of the mess and hopefully now we can enjoy these last three games.

“It is not done and dusted yet. But if we win tomorrow then we are safe mathematically.”

Penney confirmed that, barring setbacks, Jim Goodwin and Chris Taylor will both be involved before the end of the season.

Andy Holdsworth is described as “touch and go” over his chances of getting a game before the campaign is up, as is Rob Purdie, who has yet to pull on an Athletic shirt since signing from Darlington last summer.



THE SQUADS

Athletic (from): Flahavan, Lee, Hazell, Gregan, Black, Smalley, Worthington, Furman, Stephens, Marrow, Guy, Whitaker; Abbott, Eaves, Brill, Aljofree, Lomax, Millar, Colbeck, Brooke.

Southend (from): Mildenhall, Francis, Baldwin, Barrett, Herd, Grant, Christophe, McCormack, Moussa, Vernon, Laurent, Paterson, Crawford, O’Keefe, Sankofa, M’Voto, Malone, Jack.