Southend United's Ryan Cresswell: Goal was tribute to my sister (From Echo)

Southend United's Ryan Cresswell: Goal was tribute to my sister

3:32pm Thursday 8th November 2012 in Blues By Chris Phillips

SOUTHEND United centre-back Ryan Cresswell has dedicated his winning goal at Bristol Rovers to his sister who would have been celebrating her birthday.

Cresswell's second half header proved to be the difference between the two teams as Blues triumphed 3-2 at the Memorial Stadium.

And the 24-year-old insisted the goal was for his sister, Sophie

“I'd like to dedicate my goal on Tuesday night to my little sister who would've been celebrating her birthday,” said Cresswell.

“Sadly she isn't with us any more and she's a little star in the sky now but I'm sure she had a watchful eye on me the other night and that goal for her.”

Cresswell rose high to head Kevan Hurst's left wing corner in to the back of the net from close range for his fifth goal of the season.

And he was delighted the effort helped Paul Sturrock's side record a hard fought three points.

“It was great to go there and get the win and we hard to work hard to get them,” said Cresswell.

“We started well and could've been 2-0 in front before they took the lead which was disappointing.

“They caught us on the counter attack which is something we had been working on trying to stop happen but we were able to come back and deserved the win.”

Gavin Tomlin equalised for Blues before Kevan Hurst put the visitors in front on the stroke of half-time.

Cresswell's header made it 3-1 midway through the second half before Southend conceded a late David Clarkson penalty which made for a nervous finish to the game.

“We shot ourselves in the foot at bit at the end because we had been quite comfortable until they got the penalty,” said Cresswell.

“But after that I thought we weren't troubled too much and it was great to get the win.

“It's taken us to within two points of the play-offs and now we want to close that gap by being more consistent which is something else we've also spoken out.”