SOUTHEND United under 23 coach Kevin Maher praised his side’s attacking talents following an entertaining 4-3 win against Peterborough in the Central League Cup.

Defender Harry Kyprianou bagged a brace while Theo Robinson and Amadou Ba were also on target at Boots & Laces.

And Maher was thrilled to see the Shrimpers edge a seven goal thriller.

“I think entertaining would be the best way to describe the win and I’m delighted to have won it,” said the former Blues midfielder.

“After letting Peterborough get back to 2-2 after being 2-0 up we could easily have folded and the momentum was with them at that stage.

“But I was happy with how the lads responded and the character they showed as well.

Echo:

On target - Theo Robinson celebrates his goal

“I wasn’t happy to concede the three goals but our attacking quality at the other end meant we were able to win the game.”

Three of the Shrimpers’ goals came from set pieces delivered by the impressive Harry Phillips whose display was also praised by Maher.

“Harry has great quality on the ball and we’re always telling him to affect the game which he certainly did here with the three assists,” said Maher.

“But there were good performances all over the pitch.

“I was happy for Harry to get his two goals, Elvis (Bwomono) was good defensively and I thought Renei (Batlokwa) did well in a new role for him too.”

Echo:

In fine form - Blues midfielder Harry Phillips

Blues broke the deadlock early on when a right wing corner from Phillips was headed home by Robinson before the Shrimpers doubled their lead when Kyprianou nodded in another fine delivery from Phillips.

However, Posh hit back with a penalty from Junior Morias before the visitors equalised just before the break with Idris Kanu firing home after a jinking run forward down the left hand side.

The Shrimpers regained the lead at the start of the second half when Ba powered into the right hand side of the penalty area before firing a rasping shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

But Peterborough immediately replied with Morias netting with an intelligent back-healed shot after the Blues defence had failed to deal with a right wing cross.

Southend were not to be denied though and Maher’s side soon bagged what proved to be the winner when Phillips’ right wing corner was headed home by Kyprianou who netted his second goal of the afternoon.

Echo:

Trying to clear his lines - Blues goalkeeper Nathan Bishop

And the Shrimpers came close to extending their lead late on with Phillips sending a left footed shot inches over the crossbar from long range before the attacking midfielder also chipped another effort just wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area.

Southend United: Bishop, Bwomono, Pianim, Kyprianou, Cotton, Batlokwa, Klass, Yearwood (Mitchell-Nelson 65), Phillips, Ba (Clark 88), Robinson