Southend United 2 Brentford XI 3

Pre Season Friendly, Wednesday August 4th

I was back at Roots Hall to see Southend United's second home pre season of three on another glorious sunny evening (although that sun proved rather hot and blinding during the opening forty five minutes!!!) and it was the turn of a young Brentford XI to take on the Blues in this contest.

The hosts had begun well in their previous home showing against a young West Ham XI, and they almost made a spectacular start inside a minute when Demetriou's cross was almost over head kicked into the net by Murphy, but his acrobatic effort flew wide, however on five minutes Southend did grab an early lead as Demetriou's ball through found Jack Bridge and although under pressure from a defender he managed to slot home.

And it got even better for the hosts on 17 minutes when they made it 2-0, and it was a first goal for Sam Dalby in a Blues shirt after he tapped home a rebound from close range following a Murphy effort which was parried by the keeper, it had been another decent start to a home game for the hosts, but could they keep it up this time.

Well they shot themselves in the foot three minutes later when a mix up at the back resulted in keeper Arnold bring down Young-Coombes for a penalty, and Bees skipper Adams fired home the spot kick despite Arnold guessing the right way and almost getting to the effort, and the young Bees side were quickly back in the contest.

Dunne and Murphy then went close for the Blues, whilst Adams forced a save from Arnold down the other end, but it was Brentford who netted the next goal to bring themselves level as skipper Adams, who had been involved heavily so far, fired home the loose ball after The Blues failed to clear after Young-Coombes, who also looked dangerous, had thumped an effort against the post. 2-2 then going into the latter stages of an entertaining opening forty five minutes.

Bridge did have a decent chance to put Southend back in front before the break but side footed over, before Murphy then headed narrowly wide early on in the second period, but the majority of the 1,201 in attendance would see their side fall behind nine minutes after the break as Brook swept home a first time effort beyond Seaden, who had taken over from Arnold in goal for the second half, and The Blues now found themselves behind.

Southend went in search of a leveller and Murphy forced Cox into a save before gathering at the second attempt, and then Walsh, who had just come on for Demetriou with ten minutes to go, almost made an immediate impact but fired wide, before Dalby then hit the side netting with another hosts effort as Brentford were hanging on somewhat.

And the Blues almost found a deserved late leveller when a corner was knocked down towards the far post, but sub keeper Winterbottom got across to gather before the Blues could pounce, and soon after this the final whistle went and although Southend had lost the game, they had many positives to take from this one, this was a much better performance then the one in their 1-5 loss to West Ham, they just needed to be sharper up front as if they had of been they would have definitely forced a positive outcome. Lots to work on still but lots for Phil Brown to be pleased with too...

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