Southend United reserves thrashed by Colchester United (From Echo)

Southend United reserves thrashed by Colchester United

6:10pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010 in

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BLUES reserves suffered a comprehensive 5-1 defeat at home to local rivals Colchester United this afternoon.

Southend fielded just three players with first team experience in their line-up.

And the more experienced visitors were by far the stronger of the sides at Roots Hall.

Billericay Town striker Simon Thomas played as a trialist for the U’s and it was him who opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he drilled a low, left footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Colchester then doubled their lead in the 40th minute when midfielder David Fox slammed home a well struck 20 yard shot via the inside of the right post.

The U’s remained on top and added a brilliant third goal just two minutes later when, after a free-flowing move, Medi Elito’s left wing cross was impressively volleyed into the back of the net by Henderson.

At the start of the second half, Thomas wasted two good chances to score before Southend midfielder Jamie Dennis had an effort cleared off the line by Bradley Hamilton.

Colchester hit back and made it 4-0 in the 75th minute when Elito’s low drive deflected into the bottom right hand corner of the net from 20 yards.

Simon Hackney then hit the bar from a similar distance before Southend finally hit the back of the net when substitute Harry Crawford headed home five yards.

The U’s still had the final say though with Thomas nodding in his second goal of the afternoon after Craig Arnott had been impressively denied by Blues goalkeeper Dan Bentley.

Southend: Bentley, Sankofa, Herd (Osifuwa 46), James-Lewis, Clayton, Reynolds, Asante, Dennis, Harrison, Calver (Crawford 67), Freedman (Milner 77).

Subs not used: Chambers and Whittaker

Colchester: Cousins, Maybury, Batth, Hamilton, Knudson (Sanderson 46), Elito (Arnett 89), Fox, Coccoran, Hackney, Thomas, Henderson.

Subs not used: Cussack, Rafter and Ekim.

>BLUES' fielded Ashford Town striker (MX) Byron Harrison in attack but he saw little of the ball.