Freddy Eastwood on target as Southend United beat Leyton Orient

Unwin put Blues in front just before the hour mark and Eastwood doubled the advantage with 10 minutes remaining.

And, despite an injury time consolation for the hosts, youth team coach Danny Heath was able to hail a positive result for the squad.

“Full credit to the boys,” said Heath.

“They deserved every ounce of those three points.

“We had a game-plan and worked on stuff in the week where we felt we could play to our strengths and try to exploit some areas on the pitch, especially on the regain, and full credit because both of the goals have come from doing exactly that.”

There were few opportunities in the opening stages, although an Ahmet Biler cross from the left flank was almost sliced into his own net by an Orient defender in just the seventh minute.

Left-back Biler was then involved in a defensive capacity as he cleared a corner with a diving header to set away Unwin, although a heavy touch allowed the O’s goalkeeper to claim at the winger’s feet.

Blues began the second half on the front foot, with Unwin curling a free-kick over in the 52nd minute and Eastwood going close with a deflected effort.

But, in the 59th minute, Unwin put the Shrimpers ahead.

The move started with Ergis Shala winning a dominant header at the back, and that allowed Adetayo Adeooja to flick the ball around the corner and set Unwin away.

On this occasion the wide-man kept his composure to slot the Shrimpers in front.

Southend then doubled their lead when substitute Tommy Lambourne connected with Oli Coker’s pass and he unselfishly squared to Eastwood, who took a touch before smashing into the roof of the net.

Orient replied late on with a goal of their own but it was not enough to stop Blues winning.

Southend United U18s: Taylor, Chandler, Biler, Brogan, Wallace, Shala, Eastwood (Anyadike 85), Brown (Crowhurst 89), Adeooja (Lambourne 75), Coker, Unwin

Subs not used: Grossart & Davis