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Milestone for Flahavan
SHRIMPERS shot-stopper Darryl Flahavan wants to celebrate his 350th game for the club with victory over Doncaster Rovers in tonight's crucial play-off clash at Roots Hall.
The goalkeeper, who first joined Southend United from Woking in 2000, will become only the eighth Blues player to reach the landmark.
And he is hoping to do it in style as his side attempt to secure a first-leg lead before the return fixture at Doncaster next Friday.
"It's a massive night and it goes without saying that we want to be going back to their place with an advantage," said Flahavan, 30.
"From a personal point of view I'm proud and delighted to reach the 350 landmark for Southend and hopefully it will be a good night for us."
Flahavan has happy memories of the play-offs, having helped Blues win promotion that way from League Two in 2005.
He pulled off a string of fine saves to help his side beat Northampton Town in the semi-final that season and is therefore fully aware of what to expect this evening.
"The games are tight and nervy because there is so much riding on it and nobody wants to make a mistake," said Flahavan.
"It's very tense and I'm sure it will be the same this time too, but you just have to concentrate on what is going on.
"You have to play the game, not the occasion and I'm sure we will do that."
This evening's encounter, which is being screened live on Sky Sports, will also be Flahavan's first against Rovers this season.
He missed the first meeting between the two teams at Roots Hall back in September with a back injury and was on the bench for the return fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium in December.
"I was sulking a bit for the first game because I was annoyed at being injured, but in the second game Doncaster showed what a good team they are," said Flahavan.
"We lost 3-1 and they fully deserved the win. They showed their strengths and have a good record at home, so that's why it's so important we do the business tonight."
Doncaster head into the game on a downer though having missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season with a 2-1 defeat at Cheltenham Town.
It was a similar story for the Shrimpers back in 2005 when they dropped down to third and were overtaken by Swansea City following a 1-1 draw at Grimsby Town.
And Flahavan therefore knows exactly what Rovers are experiencing.
"It's awful," he recalled. "You have everything in your own hands and know what you need to do to win promotion, so when that doesn't happen it's hard to take.
"It's a massive disappointment and that's what they will be feeling now. It's a test of character and is more a mental thing than anything else.
"You can't afford to dwell on it and have to be up for what you hope will be another three games, but from our point of view we obviously want them to still be feeling down."
5:16am Friday 9th May 2008
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