SOUTHEND United’s under 18 side kicked off their EFL Youth Alliance Merit League One campaign in style with a superb 3-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth at Boots & Laces.

Blues bounced back from conceding a second-minute goal to the Cherries for the second time this season to record an impressive win as Terrell Egbri, Emile Acquah and Sam Knock turned the match on its head.

Acquah also missed a second-half penalty that could have made the scoreline even more comfortable.

But coach Dave Huzzey was full of praise for the performance.

“To finish the game with four schoolboys on the pitch against a team that have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup and are a Premier League club is great” said Huzzey.

“For us to do that as a category three side in League One and to put in a consistent performance like that is testament to the academy.”

Despite the final score-line, it was the visitors who made the perfect start to the encounter when they took the lead with the first meaningful attack of the game.

Luke Pardoe combined with Luke Gray as Bournemouth swept forward, and he then found Brooklyn Genesini in the penalty area.

The right wing-back dribbled the ball around the advancing Blues goalkeeper Harry Seaden before firing into the net.

However, the Shrimpers levelled in the ninth minute of the match when Terrell Egbri contributed his ninth goal of the season.

The winger’s finish owed much to Emile Acquah, who won the ball on the halfway line before embarking on a strong run and offloading to Egbri just inside the penalty area.

The second-year scholar made no mistake with a precise finish dispatched just inside the far post.

The game was being played at real pace, and O’Shane Stewart drew a fine save from Cherries custodian Will Dennis midway through the opening period after Eastwood and Issa Mpenga had combined to set-up the midfielder.

Shortly afterwards Eastwood unselfishly laid the ball into the path of Mpenga, who was challenged well by Hanfrey.

However, Blues went in front in the 52nd minute when Eastwood’s corner was flicked on at the near post by Miles Mitchell-Nelson, enabling Acquah to head home.

Moments later, Eastwood’s outstanding pass released Acquah but his heavy touch allowed Dennis to save at his feet.

The forward then had an even better opportunity to make it 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining when Hanfrey kicked him and the referee awarded a penalty.

But Dennis guessed correctly and turned the spot-kick around the post to keep Bournemouth in touch.

However, Southend made sure that they would register a victory in the first Merit League match of the season five minutes later when Eastwood’s corner dropped to Sam Brogan on the edge of the penalty area.

The midfielder sent the ball into the box and skipper Sam Knock smashed home via the underside of the crossbar to extinguish any lingering doubts.

Southend United U18s: Seaden, Dabbs, Bragg, Brogan, Knock, Mitchell-Nelson, Egbri, Stewart (Unwin 56), Acquah, Mpenga (Lambourne 76), Eastwood ( Shala 88)