HARRY Phillips scored on his 18th birthday to secure Southend United’s youth team an eighth successive victory with a 3-1 win at Peterborough United on Saturday.

Phillips was joined on the score-sheet by striker Norman Wabo, who bagged a brace, as the Shrimpers continued their unbeaten start to the season.

And Blues’ youth team chief Ricky Duncan was full of praise for the performance.

“I was really pleased with the display and how the boys responded to going a goal down,” said Duncan.

“They were really angry at half-time, throwing water bottles around because they knew they were capable of playing far better and they showed that in the second half.

“I was really pleased for Norman to get a couple of goals on his return to the team and for Harry to score on his birthday as well.

“He didn’t bring any cakes in but he got a goal so we might just let him off!

“But the important thing remains keeping the boys’ feet on the ground and making sure they push on through the ranks here as well.”

Blues wasted a great early chance to score when Lewis Gard saw his volley kept out by Peterborough’s goalkeeper before the hosts took the lead when a right wing cross was headed home from close range.

But going behind jolted Southend into action and Wabo attempted to haul his side level within two minutes when he received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and jinked past a couple of defenders before dragging his shot wide of the left-hand upright.

However, 10 minutes later, the striker was far more clinical as he brought Blues back level with a powerful effort after good approach play from Renei Batolkwa.

Wabo was at it again in the 57th minute when he was picked out by a fine right wing cross from Damani Dias and made no mistake with an accurately placed header.

The speedy striker was soon denied a hat-trick by the Peterborough goalkeeper but the Shrimpers were not to be denied for long as Phillips made sure of the win in the 63rd minute.

The birthday boy was picked out by Gard following good play from Joe Bedford and fired home a fine, close range effort to seal his side’s victory.

Southend United U18s: Bexon, Bwomono, Clifford, Bedford, Mackenzie, Salami, Gard (Asare 80), Batlokwa (Musselwhite 68), Wabo, Phillips, Dias (Ripsher 73)

Subs not used: Macree.