Blues 0 Southend United 3 – pics added
Blues were left empty handed despite another good display against a full-time team as they went down 3-0 against Southend United, on Tuesday.
Anton Ferdinand and Stephen Hendrie were among the ten players with first team experience fielded by the Shrimpers, but Adam Flint’s side again impressed with some flowing football against the League 1 club.
Southend began the brighter of the two sides and looked a threat down the right-hand side but it took until just before the quarter of an hour mark before the first attempt on goal, as Isaac Hutchinson made room for a shot which was straight at Bobby Mason.
The hosts were next to try to break the deadlock with Ryan Charles testing Nathan Bishop, and forcing a good save from the visiting keeper.
But it was the visitors who took the lead in the 22nd minute when Amadou Ba hit a volley high into the net after Isaac Hutchinson’s right-sided free-kick was not properly cleared.
Theo Robinson was close to doubling the advantage as he tried to make contact on Hendrie’s excellent cross but he couldn’t poke the ball home.
Blues continued to play the ball around nicely, but United’s Robinson doubled the lead going into half time when he latched onto a loose ball from close range after Bwomono had his shot saved and slotted the ball under Mason and into the net.
After the interval Hutchinson burst into the penalty area and fired narrowly wide and then Klass had a header from a corner which had to be tipped behind by Mason.
Blues continued to play the ball around nicely, but United’s Robinson doubled the lead going into half time when he latched onto a loose ball from close range after Bwomono had his shot saved and slotted the ball under Mason and into the net.
After the interval Hutchinson burst into the penalty area and fired narrowly wide and then Klass had a header from a corner which had to be tipped behind by Mason.
Foxley was always a threat for the hosts, causing Southend problems down the flanks, but Southend wrapped up the win in the 64th minute when Harry Phillips picked out Ba running onto the ball after a defensive error and he fired past Mason from six yards,
Both sides had half chances in the closing stages, but although his side again tasted defeat, Flint will have been pleased with their display.
Blues: B Mason (G Mutimor 80), S Omofe (M Brassington 65), J Renee, D Green, J Robinson, D Foxley (C Osadebe 65), J Thomas (D Harris 77), I Nzuraba (A Mason 46), J Westcott, R Charles (Y Farah 77).
Att 302.
