Southend United’s youth team coach Dave Huzzey was full of smiles after his side secured a narrow 1-0 win at Stevenage.

The Shrimpers’ under-18 team had started the season with back-to-back defeats.

And Huzzey was therefore delighted to pick up all three points against Stevenage.

“It was an excellent team performance,” said Huzzey.

“We played Crystal Palace in the week and we took a good second half performance from that game into the one against Stevenage to get the three points.

“It was a physical game but we coped with that well and we did to Stevenage what they normally do to teams so it was great for us to get the win.”

Blues striker Sewa Marah bagged the only goal of the game but it was the other end of the pitch which most pleased Huzzey.

“It was great to get a clean sheet because we had been working on the defence in training,” said Huzzey.

“In our first two games we scored four goals but had got no points so we had to tighten up.

“With the players we have I always fancy us to score and that’s how it proved at the weekend.”

The Shrimpers will now be looking to build on the win when they host Luton Town at their Boots & Laces base on Tuesday, kick-off 1pm.

Southend United U18s: Bishop, Humphreys, Osimeh, Cuthbert, Curran, Pianim, Kinali, Benton, Marah, Rush (Mitchell-Nelson 90), Egbri (Acquah 78) Subs not used: Hutchings, Confrey & Stewart.