SOUTHEND United started their pre-season campaign with a convincing 5-0 win at Great Wakering Rovers.

The Shrimpers fielded a different 11 in each half at Burroughs Park.

And they comfortably came out on top with new signings Ellis Brown and Myles Weston both on target, along with trialists Craig Fagan and Roman-Michael Percil before Jack Payne completed the scoring.

Brown, who joined on a free transfer after being released by Charlton Athletic, put the Shrimpers in front.

The striker collected a through ball from Jack Bridge before bringing the ball back on to his left foot and sending home a deflected left footed shot from 12 yards.

Moments later, Kevan Hurst had a long range shot tipped wide of the right post before Blues striker Lee Barnard somehow failed to double his side’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Barnard was picked out by Hurst’s square pass but, with the goal gaping, the ball bobbled up and he was unable to convert from close range.

Blues made 11 changes at the break and were even more dominant in the second half.

The visitors soon made it 2-0 when Jason Williams teed up Weston who stroked a controlled, left footed finish in to the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Ryan Leonard then slammed a stunning 30 yard against the top of the crossbar before the energetic midfielder saw another long range effort smothered by the Wakering goalkeeper.

Blues were not to be denied for long though and made it 3-0 when a deep right wing cross from John White was headed home at the far post by former Hull City forward Fagan.

Another trialist, Percil extended the lead even further when he jinked past two defenders before drilling home a low, 20 yard shot in to the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The Shrimpers then completed the scoring late on with Payne also netting with an impressive finish.

Southend United first half: Bentley, Wilson, Aslam, Prosser, Auger, Hurst, Clifford, Bridge, Atkinson, Barnard, Brown

Second half: T Smith, White, Thompson, Banton, Coker, Fagan, Payne, Leonard, Percil, Weston, Williams