SOUTHEND United’s under-18 side completed the first phase of their league season with a 1-0 defeat to EFL Youth Alliance South East Conference champions Northampton Town.

The setback saw the Shrimpers finish the league campaign sitting in third place.

But academy manager Ricky Duncan has still been delighted by the youngsters’ season so far.

“I’ve been pleased with what’s been happening and we’ve qualified for Merit League One now which is always a target of ours at the start of every season,” said Duncan.

“We will have 11 games in that and we’ll be playing against top teams once it gets underway in mid-February but the boys have been doing well.”

The Cobblers bagged the only goal of the game at Boots & Laces five minutes into the second half when Michael Harding fired home.

But Duncan still felt there were plenty of positives to take from the contest.

“Of course it was disappointing to lose but it was a good game,” said Duncan.

“Northampton are a good side but so are we and we had the chances to have got something from the game.

“With Charlie (Kelman) being involved with the first team and Matt Rush having joined Great Wakering on loan we were missing more than 40 goals between those two.

“But it’s about bringing players through and it was good to give other people a chance to play.”

>Blues’ under-23 side won 3-0 at Dagenham & Redbridge in a behind closed doors friendly yesterday.

Isaac Hutchinson scored twice for the Shrimpers while Renei Batlokwa was also on target for Kevin Maher’s side.