SOUTHEND United’s under 23 side returned to action with an impressive 3-0 win at Watford this afternoon.

Shrimpers winger Eren Kinali bagged a brace in the victory while centre-back Miles Mitchell-Nelson was also on target.

And Blues coach Craig Fagan was pleased with the level of performance.

“It was a good performance from us which was the main thing and the result topped it off,” said Fagan.

“It had been a while without playing for us and it was good to get a game in.”

Watford also provided a stern test for the Shrimpers with Nigerian international Isaac Success, who cost the club £12.5million, selected in the Hornets’ starting line-up.

“When you play teams at their place they tend to throw in first team players and there were one or two Watford put in,” said Fagan.

“One who stood out was Isaac Success who they paid £12miliion for.

“He’s had a few injuries and he certainly made our back four stay on the front foot and defend properly which they did.

“It was a big test for Rich (Taylor) and Miles (Mitchell-Nelson) in particular back there and they stood up to it.”

Mitchell-Nelson, who has not played for the first team since September, also hit the back of the net at the other end of the pitch.

And Fagan was also pleased to see Kinali work his way onto the score-sheet with two well taken efforts.

“I’ve said to Eren in the last couple of games about arriving in the box and getting more goals,” said Fagan.

“With Eren you know he will always work hard and put himself on the line for the team at times.

“But he needed to time his movement into the box and that was much better today.”

However, Fagan is still working to organise another game for the young Shrimpers.

“It’s a nightmare at the moment with Covid,” said Fagan.

“In category three where we are we’re struggling to get teams to travel but we’re having more luck against cat one and two teams because they always want fixtures.

“Over the next couple of weeks we will reach out to them and also to non-league teams if they’re up and running again soon.”

Southend United: Seaden, Howard (Chandler 46), R Taylor, Mitchell-Nelson, Osimeh, Phillips (O Coker 70), Stewart (Brogan 80), Benton (Brown 70), Walsh (Eastwood 60), Rush (K Coker 80), Kinali.