SOUTHEND United’s under 18 side ended their pre-season campaign with an entertaining 4-4 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Charlie Kelman bagged a brace for Blues while Freddy Eastwood and Jimmy Wallace were also on target.

And Shrimpers youth coach Dave Huzzey took plenty of positives from the clash which was played during Meet the Blues Day at the club’s Boots & Laces training ground.

“It was good experience for the boys to play in front of a bigger crowd than normal and we played some good stuff,” said Huzzey.

“This pre-season has been excellent and a real learning curve for everyone too.

“With under 23 players going in to the first team we’ve had under 18s going into the 23s and we’ve had a lot of under 16s players so it’s been great from a development point of view.

“Obviously pre-season is a process we go through and it’s been very encouraging.

“The only negative has been the goals we’ve given away but we’re working on making sure that won’t happen once the league games get underway.”

Blues head to Barnet for their first competitive match of the campaign this weekend and Huzzey has been encouraged by the team’s attacking play.

“We look dangerous going forward and Charlie has been unbelievable so far,” said Huzzey.

"He's taken to full-time football superbly well and if he keeps working hard then the future looks very bright for him."