Southend United v AFC Fylde: a home response against serious away form

There was more at Eastleigh than the ending

Colclough won the ball, carried it forward and crossed for Omochere’s header. Southend then had further openings, including the late counter that ended with Townsend saving from Austin.

That matters because we were not simply waiting for Eastleigh to score. There were chances to change the final minutes by adding a second goal. Instead, Lundstram’s cross found Eweka and a useful away win became a draw.

The task at Roots Hall is to keep the attacking threat while dealing better with the moments that leave opponents a route back.

Fylde’s travel record is the warning

Five wins from six away league matches is an impressive return. Fylde have scored 14 and conceded seven on the road, with their only defeat coming at Woking.

Since then, they have won at Solihull, Yeovil, Harrogate and Boston. The 4–1 result at Yeovil shows their attacking ability; the 1–0 win at Boston shows they can protect a narrow advantage too.

Danny Mayor scored the winner there and Luca Thomas remains another threat. A 2–0 home defeat against Carlisle in midweek does not erase those away performances.

Decisions in Southend’s attack

Omochere’s third goal since joining gives him a strong case to keep his place. Cardwell offers another option after returning from the bench at Eastleigh.

Behind them, Colclough’s contribution was important, Chambers-Parillon keeps finding ways to influence games and Massiah-Edwards again showed his ability to carry the ball forward. Austin and Twamley add further choices.

We want the wide players to help the full-backs as well as attack. Southend have enough goals in the side; keeping the team connected when possession changes may be just as important here.