SOUTHEND United coach Dave Huzzey heaped praise on his young side after they reached the southern section final of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup.

The Shrimpers saw off Cambridge United 3-0 in the semi-final at Boots & Laces.

And Huzzey was delighted with Blues’ display.

“It was really good and it was probably one of the most disciplined and professional performance we’ve put in all season so it was great it came in a semi-final,” said Huzzey.

“It looks like we could finish second in the league but we’re a little bit disappointed we didn’t push Northampton more and win it.

“But to get to the final of the cup is a massive achievement and it’s something we haven’t done in a few years.

“However, nothing is done yet and we want to win the area final to get through to the main final.”

Blues began brightly against Cambridge and opened the scoring inside the first two minutes with Freddy Eastwood scoring his 13th goal of the season.

Matt Rush did well to hold the ball up on the right-hand side before switching play to the opposite flank and Jon Benton.

The midfielder found full-back Ide Osimeh, who calmly rolled the ball into the path of Eastwood who fired the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net from 14 yards out.

The Shrimpers extended their lead just before the half hour mark when Sam Brogan slid a pass into the path of Jon Benton who crashed his shot home via the underside of the crossbar.

With 58 minutes on the clock, striker Matt Rush saw a penalty kick saved but, three minutes later, Blues made sure of their lead when Miles Mitchell-Nelson converted Osimeh’s corner as the hosts made it through to the competition’s final - where they will play Exeter City.