SOUTHEND United’s first team may be struggling for goals at the moment but their under 18s are having no such difficulties.

The Shrimpers made it 11 goals in four games with a 3-2 win at Northampton Town on Saturday.

And boss Ricky Duncan was delighted to have extended his side’s unbeaten start to the season with a fourth successive victory.

“We had to grind it out a bit in the end but I always felt as though we would win the game,” said Duncan.

“It was a boiling hot day and we were playing on a dry, bobbly pitch but the boys did well to get another win especially as it was our third game in the space of the seven days.

“It’s good to have made it four in a row as well but nobody is getting carried away by the start we’ve made and our feet will remain firmly on the ground.”

Blues striker Dan Walker bagged a brace to secure Southend’s latest triumph while Norman Wabo bagged his fourth goal of the season.

However, the teenager’s latest strike came as a substitute as Duncan opted to shake up his attack.

“Norman scored and then looked at me as if to say why did you ever leave me out,” said Duncan.

“But Dan deserved his chance after doing well in a friendly against Sawbridgeworth and it was great to see them both score.”

Southend opened the scoring after just three minutes when Walker headed home via the underside of the crossbar after the Cobblers goalkeeper had failed to deal with Alex Clark’s corner.

Walker then doubled the Shrimpers lead three minutes after the break when he collected a fine pass from Joe Bedford before firing home an excellent effort from 25 yards.

Northampton hit back in the 55th minute with Shaun McWilliams converting from close range.

In reply, Blues restored their two goal lead 20 minutes from time with the in-form Wabo rolling his marker on the edge of the box before clinically dispatching the ball into the back of the net from six yards.

However, Northampton continued to attack and, with just two minutes left, Ethan Lamptey fired home a penalty following a foul by Tom Clifford but Blues were able to hang on to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Southend United U18s: Bexon, Bwomono, Clifford, Bedford, MacKenzie, Salami, Gard, Batlokwa (Dias 82), Walker, Phillips, Clark (Wabo 67)

Subs not used: Macree, Musselwhite & Ripsher.