Rushden and Diamonds U18's 1 Southend United U18's 1
Mark O'Keefe reports
Southend United's Under-18 team picked up another point as they strive to end the season strongly, trialist Michael Moon having given the Blues the lead in a 1-1 draw with Rushden & Diamonds.
There were further changes in personnel for the fixture, with forwards Rhys Henry (Harlow Town) and Sam Higgins (Bishop's Stortford) moving out on work experience and Moon coming in on trial having been released from Millwall's Academy set-up.
Jack Morris made way for the wide man, with Fredrik Ljungström and Tashan Adeyinka starting up front whilst Harry Crawford, the trialist who had notched the winner against Gillingham, was again named on the bench.
The game started with Southend retaining a lot of possession, and within five minutes Medi Abalimba had tested the Rushden goalkeeper with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area. Stuart O'Keefe and Moon on either flank were already posing a threat to the hosts' defence, with a dangerous set-piece from the former just eluding a diving Ricky Byrne.
The Blues did take the lead on 12 minutes with the impressive O'Keefe again providing the killer pass, sliding the ball into the path of Moon, who collected the pass and fired in from eight yards out.
Midfielder O'Keefe was again to the fore just minutes later, setting up Adeyinka, who flashed a shot across the face of goal, whilst strong defensive work from Byrne and Ronnie Jones allowed both Dan Harvey and Johnny Herd to push forwards and rendered Nathan McDonald obsolete in the Blues goal.
Nine minutes before half-time, Moon delivered a corner into the penalty area which was met by Adeyinka, the first-year scholar misdirecting his header over the crossbar. It was to prove his last action of the match as he was replaced by Crawford at half-time.
The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster was quickly into action, and a fine passing move sweeping the length of the pitch ended with the 15-year-old blasting over the crossbar. Team-mate Ljungström then wasted a guilt-edge opportunity to double the lead, struggling to control the ball with the goal at his mercy from a poor clearance and allowing a defender to effect a fine block.
Midway through the second period, Rushden equalised having broke free from defence. The hosts burst down the right-hand side and a good cross was only half-cleared, allowing a forward to finish with a vicious shot.
Gordon Rieck appeared in an unfamiliar forward role to replace Ljungström, but there was no way through, and Southend missed the opportunity to record back-to-back wins. The scholars that remain at the club will have Easter weekend off before returning to action at Boots & Laces on Saturday 29 March, when Barnet are the visitors.
Southend United U18s: Nathan McDonald; Dan Harvey (Ade Osifuwa 65), Ricky Byrne, Ronnie Jones, Johnny Herd; Stuart O'Keefe, Davis Abbey, Medi Abalimba, Michael Moon; Tashan Adeyinka (Harry Crawford 46), Fredrik Ljungström (Gordon Rieck 74).
Sub not used: Jack Morris.
Goal: Moon (12)
