JOE Bedford bagged one of the best goals Southend United manager Phil Brown has ever seen in the Shrimpers’ under 21 team’s 5-3 win against AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

Bedford - who had already fired Blues in front - brilliantly beat his marker with a fine piece of skill before sending a stunning 35 yard shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

And Brown was full of praise for the strike.

“It was the best goal I’ve seen, certainly on a training ground for sure,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“People might saw it was only at the training ground in an under 21 game but you still have to have the technique to be able to do that and Joe certainly does.

“It was a hell of a strike and it was an entertaining game.

“Defensively we weren’t at our best but we certainly were going forward.”

Echo:

Joy - Joe Bedford is congratulated on his second goal by Adbul Salami

Bedford fired Blues in front with a low 20 yard shot in the 10th minute before doubling his tally in terrific fashion in the 24th minute.

Wimbledon halved Southend’s lead in the 41st minute when George Oakley fired home but Blues extended their lead before the break when Paul Kalambayi diverted Elvis Bwomono’s right wing cross into his own goal.

Two minutes after the break, Egil Kaja was on target for the Dons before the Shrimpers hit back to make it 4-2 with Adam King firing home a left wing cross from Zavon Hines.

However, Wimbledon continued to fight with Oakley again on target before Norman Wabo made sure of Southend’s victory with a well taken individual effort.

Southend United: Bexon, Bwomono, Matsuzaka, Salami, Clifford, Hines, King (Phillips 71), Bedford (Wabo 84), Cotton (Coutts 71), Bridge, Williams (Walker 90)