SOUTHEND United stormed to a 7-0 win at Canvey Island tonight.
Shrimpers striker Callum Powell bagged a second half hat-trick in the convincing victory while Dan Mooney scored a brace.
Trialists Chris Wreh and Ibby Akanbi were also on target as Blues recorded a comfortable victory in their second pre-season outing of the summer.
Kevin Maher’s side opened the scoring in fine fashion in the 14th minute, with Mooney on target for the second game in succession.
The summer signing capitalised on good play from Jack Bridge down the right hand side before curling an left footed shot high into the left hand side of the net.
The Gulls hit back with Evans Kouassi sending a 20 yard shot inches off target before Blues came close to doubling their lead with trialist Chris Wreh seeing a close range effort blocked and Mooney firing over.
However, the Shrimpers were not to be denied for long and made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when Mooney’s free-kick was parried up into the air by Canvey’s trialist goalkeeper before Wreh – who was with Banbury last season - tapped home the rebound from close range.
Three minutes later, Southend made it 3-0 when Mooney created space for himself with some skilful footwork before rolling a low right footed shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Blues wasted a golden opportunity to go further in front shortly after the break when Bridge was brought down in the box, only for the hat-trick hunting Mooney to see his low spot-kick saved by the legs of the trialist goalkeeper.
The Shrimpers made nine changes on the hour mark and then went 4-0 shortly after when one of the fresh faces Powell was on target from the spot.
Powell also won the penalty after being brought down in the box and sent his shot into the left hand side of the net, despite the goalkeeper seeming to get a touch on his shot.
The Shrimpers then turned on the style to score three goals in the space of just three minutes.
Powell made it 5-0 with an excellent 20 yard shot which he curled into the top right hand corner of the net before trialist Akanbi – who has previously played for Aldershot and Dagenham - scored a well taken effort to make it six as he drove home a well-struck shot.
Blues were then awarded a third penalty of the evening in the 87th minute when Jack Wood was fouled in the area and that allowed Powell to complete his hat-trick and the scoring with a clinical effort from 12 yards.
Southend United: Arnold (Andeng Ndi 46), Hobson (Davis 60), Kensdale (Ralph 60), Reeve (Arrowsmith 60), Demetriou (Crowhurst 60), Miley (Husin 60), Coker (Taylor 60), Clifford (Wood 60), Mooney (Powell 60), Bridge (Benton 60), Wreh (Akanbi 46)
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