So my football double header began on Friday night with a match at Roots Hall,Southend, as the Blues welcomes Bury who were just above the hosts in the table in 7th spot looking to reduce the gap to the top six.
The Blues themselves were looking to do the same and knew a win would take them above Bury into seventh place and outside the top six only on goal difference. The opening exchanges were fairly subdued as both sides looked to strike the first blow in the contest.
Both teams had half chances in the first twenty or so minutes but Southend were beginning to get slightly on top and managed to take the lead midway through the half when Noel Hunt turned home a loose ball from close range and give the hosts the advantage. This gave them all the confidence they needed and began to dominate proceedings and Bury looked ragged.
The second goal came on the half hour mark and it was no surprise that is was the home side who doubled their lead when a cross was missed by the keeper and saw the ball played back into the dangerzone were Hunt turned home for his and the hosts second.
The Blues were well on top and in control now and looked to try and finish the game in the first half as the visitors were being outplayed. However with three minutes of the half remaining the tie took a dramatic swing as a long clearance from the visiting keeper caught out the Southend defence and saw ex-Blues striker Leon Clarke take advantage by running into the box and slotting home.
Suddenly the Blues looked nervous and it looked like the visitors could level before half time although they didn't manage to as the hosts held onto their now slender lead and knew they would have to work hard to hold onto that lead in the second half.
Half Time Southend United 2 Bury 1
The Blues continued to struggle after the break as Bury's momentum from the end of the first half continued into the second half and saw the hosts really have to dig deep to hold onto their lead as the visitors created a couple of good chances,including a free kick coming off the foot of the post, as they looked likely to level the match.
However Southend regrouped and as the half entered its final fifteen minutes Jack Payne went on a mazy run into the box and was upended as he was about to shoot at goal and a penalty was awarded to the home side and saw David Mooney tuck the spot kick away and see the Blues and a 6,000 plus strong crowd breathe a sigh of relief as they restored their two goal cushion.
A few minutes later and with the hosts now playing with more freedom again they made it four when a quick free kick found Payne who cuts inside onto his left foot and bent a quality effort into the top corner for a great strike and it sealed the three points for the hosts who now move up to 7th as a result.
Part two of the double header comes tomorrow afternoon from Portman Road as Ipswich Town host Derby County in a top six clash in the Championship. It proves to be another enjoyable game.
Full Time Southend United 4 Bury 1
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