Southend United U18's 1 Northampton Town U18's 0
Report by Robert Craven
Photos by Graham Bridgeman-Clarke
Southend United's Under-18 side immediately returned to winning ways with a well-earned 1-0 victory over Northampton Town at Boots & Laces.
Justin Hazell's first-half strike - his first goal for three months - separated the sides on a crisp morning at Blues' training ground, although his team created a number of opportunities during the opening 70 minutes of the match that could have seen a far more convincing scoreline.
Hazell and Marcus Milner, who both featured in Wednesday's 1-1 reserve team draw at Watford, were restored to the starting line-up for the Under-18s at the expense of Medi Abalimba and Merrick James-Lewis. Jamie Dennis switched into the centre of midfield whilst Craig Calver returned from injury to partner Fredrik Ljungström up front.
In total, seven of Ricky Duncan's team had played in midweek, but they showed no signs of sluggishness in a bright first period. Both clubs attempted to play exciting football and were intent on getting forwards quickly to create openings.
Despite those attacking ambitions, it was not until the ninth minute that either goal was genuinely threatened as Ljungström raced onto a chipped through ball. The Swedish forward lobbed the advancing Northampton goalkeeper from 25 yards, but the wind carried the ball onto the crossbar and Ljungström followed up by blasting the rebound over.
There was a heart-stopping moment for Dennis when he sliced a dangerous free-kick past his own left-hand post after a quarter-of-an-hour and Southend took advantage five minutes later when fellow first-year scholar Hazell handed them the lead.
Right-back Ricky Byrne was the provider as he sent a long cross-field ball into Hazell's path on the left-hand side of the penalty area. The wide man made no mistake as he collected the ball twelve yards out and impressively converted his ninth goal of the season with the outside of his right boot.
Centre-back pairing Ronnie Jones and Adetayo Osifuwa have created a formidable partnership at the back and continued their excellent work on the half-hour, combining to first hold-up Joe Benjamin and then clear the danger from inside their penalty area.
Jamie Dennis (centre) wins this aerial battle
At the other end, Osifuwa side-footed a good chance wide at the back post from a Dennis corner after Ljungström's low shot was deflected over the bar by a defender. Byrne also flashed a free-kick across the face of goal and a Ljungström effort later lacked sufficient pace or precision to beat the 'keeper as United ended the half firmly in the ascendancy.
Having been backed by a gusty wind in the first period, Southend had to counter a disadvantage in the second half, and Nathan McDonald was soon drawn into a good save.
When Blues did get possession they still appeared threatening and Jack Morris embarked on a scintillating fifty-yard run from left to right before offloading to Milner. The winger's cross seemed destined for Calver's head, but the Cobblers' right-back nodded out for a corner on the hour.
Four minutes later, Calver won possession thirty yards out for Milner, who this time drove a low centre into the six-yard box, where Ljungström just failed to get the required touch to slide the ball home.
Had United taken those opportunities, it would have prevented a nervy final 20 minutes as Northampton's left-back, who possessed a Johnny Herd-like long thrown, constantly flung the ball into the penalty area. McDonald largely dealt with these well, sensibly electing to punch in the conditions, although on one occasion a Town defender did manage to get a shot away, scooping over.
A series of corners were also cleared as the visitors threw everything at the Southend defence, but the last moment of danger arrived three minutes from time when the powerful Benjamin, who has made four substitute appearances in League One and earned a professional contract in January, cut in from the left and was denied by a fine challenge by Jones, who diverted the ball back to McDonald.
The three points keep Blues in contention for their first-ever Football League Youth Alliance title, with the destination of the championship still in their hands after Queens Park Rangers dropped points against Colchester United in a 1-1 draw last Saturday. The Blues welcome Aldershot Town to Boots & Laces next weekend.
Southend United U18s: Nathan McDonald; Ricky Byrne, Ronnie Jones, Adetayo Osifuwa, Jack Morris; Marcus Milner (Anton [trialist] 80), Davis Abbey, Jamie Dennis, Justin Hazell (Merrick James-Lewis 83); Fredrik Ljungström (Tashan Adeyinka 66), Craig Calver.
Subs not used: Callum Whittaker, Medi Abalimba.
