Match report: Southend United 3, West Ham United 2

The impressive Irishman netted two well taken goals after David Mooney had earlier given Blues the lead at Great Wakering Rovers’ Burroughs Park base.

But the Shrimpers – who lost Michael Timlin to a hamstring injury in the second half – were made to sweat late on after conceding twice in the closing stages.

Before that late drama, the game had started slowly in the warm conditions before Mooney headed over an excellent left wing cross from McLaughlin.

After that near miss, Blues continued to press for the opening goal with Simon Cox impressively working his way through the West Ham defence before seeing his low shot smothered by Hammers goalkeeper Nathan Trott.

Moments later, Trott impressively parried a Mooney header over the crossbar but the Irishman was not to be denied for long as he fired Blues in front on the half hour mark.

The striker was picked out by another impressive left wing cross from McLaughlin and sent a powerful header high into the left hand side of the goal.

The Shrimpers – who were lining up in their new pink away kit – came close to doubling their lead when McLaughlin headed wide from close range and, in the 35th minute, Cox was again denied by Trott.

However, five minutes before the break, Southend did make it 2-0 with McLaughlin netting with an accurate diving header at the far post.

Blues made three defensive at half-time with Jakub Sokolik, Adam Barrett and John White all entering the action.

But the Shrimpers continued to pose problems going forward with McLaughlin and Cox both being denied in quick succession by West Ham’s substitute goalkeeper before he was finally beaten in the 51st minute, with McLaughlin again on target.

The winger was picked out by a brilliant ball forward from Jason Demetriou and fired home a low, left footed shot from 12 yards.

After McLaughlin’s second goal, the game became less eventful before Blues make another triple substitution in the 55th minute as Jermaine McGlashan, Jack Bridge and Michael Timlin all came on.

However, Timlin lasted less than 10 minutes before coming off injured as he made way for Ronan Murray.

Jason Williams came on in attack at the same time but West Ham soon started to pose more of a threat.

As  a result,Blues’ goalkeeper Ted Smith did well to deny a Hammers striker when clean through on goal but the Londoners were not to be denied for long as Scully netted with a penalty in the 80th minute.

The spot-kick was given after Sokolik brought down Hector-Ingram in the box, allowing Scully to fire an accurate effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Four minutes later, West Ham were again on target when Hector-Ingram tapped home after Joe Powell’s powerful effort had struck the inside of the right post.

But the Shrimpers stood firm and came close to making it 4-2 right at the death with Bridge having an effort tipped away by the goalkeeper. 

Southend United: Smith, Demetriou, Thompson (Sokolik 46), Edjenguélé (Barrett 46), Coker (White 46), O’Neill (McGlashan 55, Leonard (Bridge 55), Atkinson (Timlin 55 (Murray 60)), McLaughlin, Cox (Williams 60), Mooney