SOUTHEND United’s Ricky Duncan hailed the professionalism of his side after they ran riot in their rearranged FA Youth Cup clash at Barton Rovers tonight.

The Shrimpers surged to a convincing 9-1 victory, just two weeks after their 6-1 win against the same opponents had been ruled out due to an underage player.

And Duncan was delighted by how his youngsters responded to having to head back to Sharpenhoe Road.

“The professionalism of the group was spot on and I’m very pleased with how they performed,” said Duncan.

“It wasn’t easy having to come back here because Barton knew all about us this time and lined up slightly differently because of that.

“I would’ve been happy if we won 1-0 or 9-1 it was just about getting through to the next round and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

Harry Phillips’ hat-trick enabled the Shrimpers to set up a second round tie at Newport County.

And Duncan was pleased to see the teenager shining in an unfamiliar role.

“We put Harry wide left and he did well out there,” said Duncan.

“He got the three goals but Dan Walker really stood out for me.

“He got two and could’ve had three but very unselfish in setting up a team-mate instead.

“It was another game which showed how much Dan has developed and improved.”

Blues broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Elvis Bwomono’s right wing cross was headed home by Renei Batlokwa.

Four minutes later, Southend doubled their lead with Phillips firing home his first goal of the night from 25 yards before he bagged a second just past the half hour mark.

Walker made it 4-0 on the stroke of half-time after impressive approach play from Batlokwa and Phillips before Norman Wabo also fired home a right wing cross from Batlokwa.

Phillips completed his hat-trick with a penalty in the 57th minute to make it 6-0 before Barton got themselves on to the score-sheet with Keiren Reid heading home.

However, Southend were soon back on top with Walker making it 7-1 with another assured finish and Wabo then also scored his second goal of the night.

Three minutes from time, Damani Dias completed the scoring after an unselfish pass from Walker.

Southend United: Bexon, Bwomono, Clifford, Bedford, Mackenzie (Ripsher 64), Salami, Wabo, Musselwhite, Walker, Batlokwa (Dias 55), Phillips (Gard 61)

Subs not used: Matthews & Macree