(Saturday 19th April, 12:30)

So here we are — play‑offs secured, three games left, and suddenly the pressure feels very different. Tuesday night at Aldershot was the moment the Shrimpers finally slammed the door shut on the chasing pack. A 0–2 win, a clean sheet, Gus Scott‑Morriss thundering in his 16th of the season, Charley Kendall nicking a second before the break… job done. Eight points clear of Halifax with only six left to play for. Maher called it “seeing the game out,” but really it was Southend doing what good sides do in April: getting over the line.

But this group doesn’t look like one that’s satisfied. With seventh wrapped up, the Shrimpers head to The Shay with a chance to climb even higher. Fourth and fifth are still on the table — and with them, a home Eliminator. Add in the small matter of a Wembley trip for the FA Trophy Final, with over 11,500 tickets already snapped up and the allocation bumped to 21,000, and suddenly the season feels like it’s opening up rather than winding down.

Halifax, meanwhile, have watched the gap stretch away from them. They’ve had a solid season — sixth top‑ten finish in seven years — but their late‑season form has dipped at exactly the wrong time. One win in five, a missed stoppage‑time penalty against Tamworth, and a goalless draw with Yeovil have left them stuck on 67 points, too far back to catch the Shrimpers now. They still carry threats: Will Harris has been lethal with 26 goals, Josh Hmami has chipped in with 16, and their backline of Will Smith, Shaun Hobson and Ash Palmer has been steady all year. But the momentum has shifted firmly away from them.

For a long time this looked like it might be a straight shootout for seventh. Instead, it’s become a chance for Southend to show they’re not just making up the numbers in the play‑offs — they’re going into them with purpose.

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Recent Form & Momentum

Southend are flying. Seven unbeaten, 11 points from the last 15, and the kind of calm, controlled performances you want at this stage of the season. The clean sheet at Aldershot followed a dominant 3–0 at Sutton and a gritty 0–0 against Solihull. The balance looks right, the squad looks settled, and key players are hitting form at the right time.

Halifax, by contrast, have stumbled. Draws with Yeovil and Tamworth, a narrow win at Altrincham, and defeats to Scunthorpe and Carlisle have taken the wind out of their play‑off push. They’re still awkward, still organised, still capable of dragging games into battles — but they’re not carrying the same threat they had earlier in the season.

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By the Numbers

Southend sit 7th on 75 points. Halifax are 8th on 67. The Shrimpers have scored 72 league goals to Halifax’s 66, and the goal‑difference gap is huge: +30 versus +6. It’s a clear reflection of where the two sides are heading as the season closes.

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Form Guide (Last Five)

Halifax Town		Southend United
D 0–0 v Yeovil		W 0–2 v Aldershot
D 2–2 v Tamworth		D 0–0 v Solihull
W 1–0 v Altrincham		W 0–3 v Sutton
L 1–2 v Scunthorpe		W 3–2 v Braintree
L 0–1 v Carlisle		W 2–1 v Yeovil

Two very different trajectories.

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Head‑to‑Head

Southend have had the better of this fixture for a while now. The Shrimpers are unbeaten in their last seven against Halifax, winning six of them. The reverse meeting in September was one of the most comfortable afternoons of the season — a 3–0 win at Roots Hall with headers from Dallas, Scott‑Morriss and Goodliffe.

Last season’s trip to The Shay ended 0–2 to Southend thanks to Bim Pepple and Adam Crowther. Halifax have only beaten the Shrimpers once in nine meetings since 2024.

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What’s at Stake

For Halifax? Pride, and the chance to finish strongly. For Southend? Everything to gain. A win keeps the pressure on the teams above and keeps the dream of a home Eliminator alive. A draw keeps the unbeaten run rolling. And with Wembley on the horizon, momentum matters.

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Tactical Notes

Southend’s 4‑3‑3 has clicked nicely. The midfield three gives structure, the full‑backs push high, and the front line has a good mix of movement and physicality. Appiah‑Forson has been excellent between the lines, Morton keeps things tidy, and Cardwell’s return has added presence up top.

Halifax will try to slow the game down. They’re compact, disciplined, and rely heavily on transitions. Their biggest threat is Will Harris, who doesn’t need many chances. Expect long throws, set‑pieces, and a lot of scrappy moments.

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Opposition Watch

Will Harris — 26 goals and the heartbeat of their attack.

Josh Hmami — clever, creative, and always involved.

Ash Palmer — four clean sheets in eight since arriving on loan.

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Predicted Line‑Up

Southend United

Formation: 4‑3‑3

Predicted XI:
Andeng‑Ndi; Scott‑Morriss, Taylor, Goodliffe, Gubbins; Boyes, Coker, Morton; Appiah‑Forson, Cardwell, Dallas.

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Players to Watch

For Southend:
Gus Scott‑Morriss — 16 goals from right‑back. Ridiculous numbers.
Charley Kendall — sharp, lively, and full of confidence after Tuesday.

For Halifax:
Will Harris — their main man, always a threat.
Josh Hmami — makes them tick.

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The Venue: The Shay

The Shay is never easy. Big, open, windy, and usually heavy underfoot. Games here rarely flow — they’re battles. Southend will need to manage the conditions as much as the opposition.

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Final Word

The pressure’s off, but the ambition isn’t. Southend have earned the right to enjoy these last three games — but they’ve also earned the right to push for more. A result at The Shay keeps the momentum rolling, keeps the confidence high, and keeps the Shrimpers heading into the play‑offs with their tails up.

It’s been a long road to get here. Now it’s about finishing the job properly.