Share

cover art for The Curtain Call

The Custard Splat

The Curtain Call

Season 202526, Ep. 48

Scott and Oli break down a chaotic week for Southend United as the Blues smash 6 past FC Halifax Town in a historic performance before falling short in a 7-goal thriller at Hartlepool United.


With the playoffs locked in and Wembley on the horizon, this episode dives into form, fitness, selection headaches, and what really matters now.


🔵 In this episode:
  • Halifax 2-6 Southend - a record-breaking attacking display, goals flying in from everywhere
  • Hartlepool 4-3 Southend - what went wrong after 7 changes and a disrupted rhythm
  • Playoff preparation - why Saturday doesn’t matter as much as Tuesday
  • Squad depth analysis - Gus, Dallas, Kendall and goals all over the pitch
  • Injury concerns - managing key players ahead of the eliminator
  • Midfield debate - who starts when it really counts?
  • Playoff predictions - 6th or 7th… and who do we actually want?

🔥 Big talking points:
  • Is this the most complete Southend squad in years?
  • Does knockout football actually suit this team better?
  • Are we one result away from something special… or one mistake away from it ending?


🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube


📲 Follow The Custard Splat for weekly Southend United coverage, match analysis, fan debate and behind-the-scenes insight

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 50. Wembley Awaits...

    47:08||Season 202526, Ep. 50
    Our full FA Trophy Final special as Southend United prepare for a huge day under the arch against Wealdstone with silverware on the line.We build up to the final by discussing the occasion itself, what it means for the football club, the fans and the city, plus how this current group have dragged Southend to within one game of lifting a trophy at Wembley.We also get into the contract situations surrounding several players, the unnecessary noise and distractions bubbling away before a domestic cup final, and whether this squad deserves to stay together beyond this season.Plus all the usual tangents, Wembley awaits.
  • 49. The Morning After... 💔

    33:07||Season 202526, Ep. 49
    Less than 24 hours after Southend United’s crushing 1-0 playoff elimination to Scunthorpe United, Scott and Oli sit down for a raw, unfiltered reaction.This wasn’t just a defeat - it was, in our opinion, the poorest performance of the season. A game where Southend never looked like Southend. No identity, no intensity and a side that looked beaten before a ball was even kicked.Now the reality hits…A sixth straight season in the National League.Around 15 players out of contract.A summer that could define the future of the football club.Where do we go from here?In this episode:Immediate reaction to the playoff lossWhere it went wrong on the dayQuestions over mentality, setup & approachHuge squad turnover incomingWhat the rebuild needs to look like
  • 47. Play-offs Secured 🔒

    55:44||Season 202526, Ep. 47
    Southend United have secured their place in the National League play-offs… and there’s a lot to unpack.In Episode 47 of The Custard Splat, we break down what it means for the Shrimpers heading into the business end of the season, including back-to-back clean sheets and a defensive unit that’s quietly putting together a serious run.We also tackle the narrative around goals… because despite what some might say, Southend are scoring plenty this season. And then there’s Gus Scott-Morriss, who at this point is doing things that just aren’t normal for a wing-back.On the pitch, we cover the 0-0 draw with Solihull and the 2-0 win away at Aldershot.As always, we go off on a few tangents… including talk around Tottenham and Leicester’s looming relegations, plus a bit of groundhopping chat thrown in for good measure.Plenty to discuss.
  • 46. Play-Off Push Heats Up | Braintree & Sutton Wins | Oliver Gage Appointed Director of Football

    58:33||Season 202526, Ep. 46
    Southend United’s play-off push is well and truly alive after a huge Easter weekend.Scott and Oli are back to break down two massive wins – a chaotic 3-2 victory over Braintree on Good Friday, followed by a dominant 3-0 away performance at Sutton on Easter Monday. Six points, six goals, and momentum building at exactly the right time.With the Shrimpers now sitting in the play-off places with games in hand, we take a deep dive into the National League table and ask the big question… how far can this team go?We also look at Southend’s attacking output this season, with Gus Scott-Morriss and Andrew Dallas both hitting 15 league goals. With 70 goals already on the board, is it finally time to drop the narrative that Southend don’t score enough?Looking ahead, we preview the next big test at home to Solihull Moors as the promotion race intensifies.In Part Two, we discuss the appointment of Oliver Gage as Southend United’s new Director of Football. What does the role actually mean? What does his background in the UK and North America bring to the club? And could this be the structural change needed to take Southend forward long-term?All that and more on Episode 46 of The Custard Splat.
  • 45. Wembley Bound! | FA Trophy Final Reaction, Playoff Push & Club Restructure

    01:03:52||Season 202526, Ep. 45
    Southend United are heading back to Wembley after a huge 3-1 win over Southport in the FA Trophy Semi-Final, and we break it all down on this episode of The Custard Splat.We react to Southend United’s dominant performance at Southport, analyse the key moments, standout players and what this result means ahead of the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium.Attention then turns to the National League playoff race, as Southend United secured a crucial 2-1 win over Yeovil Town to strengthen their position in the playoff places. With a 3-point cushion and two games in hand, we assess Southend’s chances of promotion and whether Kevin Maher’s side are peaking at the perfect time.We also preview a massive Easter weekend with fixtures against Braintree Town and Sutton United, two huge games that could define Southend United’s season.In the second half of the podcast, we discuss the major club restructure announced by Southend United, including CEO Tom Lawrence stepping down at the end of the season. We break down the new leadership structure, including the introduction of a Director of Football and General Manager, and what it means for the future of the football club.We also cover the departures of John Still and Jason Demetriou, and discuss how the new football structure could shape recruitment, performance and long-term success at Southend United.This is a huge moment for Southend United on and off the pitch, with Wembley on the horizon and a National League playoff push building momentum.
  • 44. Wembley on the Line… Southport vs Southend United | FA Trophy Semi-Final Preview

    01:12:07||Season 202526, Ep. 44
    A real mixed bag for Southend United over the last 10 days.We break down the win against Rochdale, the frustrating defeat to Altrincham, and the draw with Woking — what it all means and where this leaves Southend heading into a huge week.With the FA Trophy Semi Final against Southport coming up, we look ahead to one of the biggest games of the season… with a place at Wembley on the line.Performances, patterns, and pressure — this is where it starts to matter.
  • 43. Monkey Off The Back

    55:10||Season 202526, Ep. 43
    Scott and OG are back to break down a busy week for Southend United.The episode starts with a look back at the frustrating 1–1 draw with Gateshead, another midweek game that felt like a missed opportunity despite the Blues continuing to create chances and apply pressure.Attention then turns to Saturday’s impressive 2–0 win over Forest Green Rovers, a result that finally saw Southend beat a team above them in the table this season and delivered a huge boost in confidence heading into the final stretch.The lads also look ahead to a huge test against league leaders Rochdale, discussing whether the Blues can build on the Forest Green performance and prove they can compete with anyone in the division.All that and more as Scott and OG talk all things Southend United.Up the Splat.
  • 42. Che Wilson

    55:16||Season 202526, Ep. 42
    This week we’re joined by former Southend United defender Che Wilson, a key part of the squad that delivered back-to-back promotions under Steve Tilson and won the League One title in 2006.With this season marking 20 years since that historic title win, Che joins us to relive the memories of one of the most successful eras in Southend United history.We discuss:• The dressing room culture of the Tilson promotion squad• Playing alongside Freddy Eastwood, Mark Gower, Kevin Maher and Adam Barrett• Che’s first professional goal in the 4–1 win over Brentford at Roots Hall• His memorable strike in the Essex Derby against Colchester United at Layer Road• What made the 2005/06 title-winning team so special• The atmosphere around Roots Hall during the promotion runFor Shrimpers fans, this is a nostalgic look back at a team that delivered memories that still live long in the memory.