SOUTHEND United’s Dave Huzzey has urged his under 18 side to learn lessons from their 5-2 defeat against MK Dons.

Blues were heavily beaten in their final Youth Alliance South East Conference clash of the season.

But the setback has given the Shrimpers plenty to work on as they begin preparing for their Merit League campaign.

“It was a bit disappointing because I felt as though we were in control in the first half but it has given us things to work on which isn’t always a bad thing in development football,” said Huzzey, a professional development phase coach at the club.

“We will reflect on it this week and the challenge is to make sure we do better defensively when the Merit League gets underway.”

The top seven from Blues’ league will join the top five from the south-west section in the Merit League which is due to start in mid-February.

And, despite Tuesday’s defeat, Huzzey has been delighted by his side’s first half to the season.

“To finish second like we did is a massive achievement from the boys,” said Huzzey.

“We’ve had some really good performances and we’ve had boys named in first team squads due to how well they’ve been playing.

“But we want more of the same in the Merit League now and we want to do well in part two of the season as well.”

Echo:

Harry Phillips - bagged a late consolation for Blues

Southend will need to improve on their performance against MK Dons for that to happen.

However, they were initially on top in a game which was switched to the Len Forge Centre at Eastwoodbury Lane due to the state of the surface at Boots & Laces.

Dan Walker put the Shrimpers in front with his 17th goal of the season in the 26th minute but the visitors equalised at the start of the second half before two goals in quick succession either side of the hour mark put them 3-1 in front.

Dons added a fourth in the 78th minute before Blues hit back with Harry Phillips thumping home his 14th goal of the season.

But Southend were unable to conjure up a late comeback and the conceded a fifth goal deep into stoppage time to complete a miserable afternoon.

Southend United U18s: Bexon, Humphreys, Clifford, Ripsher (Musselwhite 80), Mackenzie, Salami, Bedford (Dias, 55 (Hirst, 86)), Phillips, Walker, Batlokwa, Gard

Sub not used: Macree.