Southend United take an unbeaten away league record to Grosvenor Vale on Saturday, where Wealdstone beat them twice last season before the Shrimpers gained revenge in the FA Trophy final at Wembley. Kieron Dyer’s third-placed side have avoided defeat in all eight National League away matches this campaign, although they have conceded in every one, while Wealdstone are looking to respond to successive home defeats.
Southend were held to a 3-3 draw at Worthing on Tuesday despite establishing a two-goal first-half lead. Kyle McAdam created goals for Oli Coker and Promise Omochere before Dominic Johnson-Fisher scored a remarkable solo effort and set up Cory Adjetey-Brew’s equaliser. Debutant Tyreece Simpson restored Southend’s lead, but Jordan Young made it 3-3 after goalkeeper Joe Duncan failed to hold his shot. Simpson subsequently struck the crossbar as the visitors searched for a winner.
The result followed a 2-2 home draw with FC Halifax Town, where Southend twice led before Tayt-Lemar Trusty’s 90th-minute equaliser sparked controversy over a substitution and led to the dismissals of Dyer and goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola. Southend have now drawn their last two league matches after conceding late equalisers, although their overall unbeaten sequence stands at five games.
Dyer initially questioned his players’ defensive desire following the Worthing draw, but subsequently said that a review of their running statistics showed the squad had produced its best physical figures of the season. The Southend manager has instead emphasised the need for better organisation when possession is lost. His own availability on the touchline remains uncertain following the Halifax dismissal, with a disciplinary hearing scheduled before Saturday’s fixture.
Southend also have several selection decisions to make. Harry Cardwell is back in contention, while Zavier Massiah-Edwards has returned to training after missing the Worthing match with a knock. Josh Maher remains doubtful with an impact injury and Rico Richards is still building match fitness. Dyer has also confirmed that the club’s seven loan players must be reduced to five in the matchday squad, leaving two unable to be selected.
Wealdstone suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Solihull Moors on Tuesday after conceding twice in the opening 19 minutes. Marvin Johnson and Jamie Andrews established the visitors’ lead before Aaron Henry pulled one back in the 81st minute. Substitute Scott High restored Solihull’s two-goal advantage three minutes later, and Fejiri Okenabirhie’s 89th-minute goal proved insufficient to rescue a point.
Gary Waddock’s side had previously won 1-0 at Aldershot Town through Olufela Olomola’s second-half goal, but their most recent home league match before Solihull brought a 6-0 defeat to Yeovil Town, when Wealdstone had two players sent off. The Stones have won only one of their seven home league fixtures this season, drawing one and losing five.
The clubs met three times last season before facing each other again at Wembley. Wealdstone won 3-2 at Grosvenor Vale in September 2025, with Sean Adarkwa scoring twice, before Olomola settled a 1-0 FA Cup victory in November after Ben Goodliffe’s early dismissal. Southend won the return league fixture 2-1 at Roots Hall in April, then defeated Wealdstone 4-2 on penalties following a goalless FA Trophy final in May.
Southend enter Saturday third in the National League with 29 points from 15 matches, while Wealdstone sit 19th on 15 points. The Shrimpers are seeking to extend their unbeaten league sequence to six matches and preserve their away record, while Waddock’s side are looking for their first home league victory since beating Gateshead 4-0 in September.
