SOUTHEND United started the National League season with a home defeat and a stern stark reminder at Roots Hall on Saturday.

A streetwise Boreham Wood saw off the Shrimpers despite being shown two red cards in the second half. 

And, in doing so, Luke Garrard’s side reminded Blues they are in for another big battle this term.

The Shrimpers ended last season having gathered real momentum following the appointment of Kevin Maher as head coach back in October.

And, bolstered by the addition of eight summer signings, excitement and expectation were high heading into the weekend’s curtain raiser.

But the afternoon ultimately began and ended in frustrating fashion.

Blues’ first blow came early on when their most recent acquisition – striker Jake Hyde – had to be taken off with a hamstring injury.

And his withdrawal and subsequent lay off has further weakened an area where the Shrimpers were already lacking in proven quality.

The addition of Hyde – on loan from Wrexham – was something of a gamble given his recent injury record and he did not last long on Saturday.

Hyde needed minutes if he was to regain full match fitness but it was concerning to break down so easily and so early on.

Without him, Blues lacked physicality in attack at the weekend and were never going to trouble a dominant Boreham Wood defence aerially.

With Harry Cardwell and Rhys Murphy still also out injured it is glaringly obvious the Shrimpers are crying out for striking reinforcements and Kevin Maher must be backed where that is concerned.

Last season’s top scorer Sam Dalby left to join big-spending Wrexham last week and, once the Welshmen had offered the striker such a lucrative deal, it became almost impossible for Blues to stand in his way even though he is unlikely to sample regular first team football at the Racecourse Ground.

Without Dalby and now Hyde, Blues started slowly but did improve in the second half on Saturday with Callum Powell coming off the bench to make more things happen.

Powell, Chris Wreh and Cav Miley were all denied by Boreham Wood goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore as the visitors stood firm despite having both Lee Ndlovu and Dion Kelly-Evans dismissed in the final quarter of the clash.

But, while obviously disappointing, nothing should ever be read into just one match.

I learnt that the hard way by convincing myself Blues were destined for success after beating Blackburn on the opening day of the 2017/18 season – only for a miserable campaign to unfold.

That being said, lessons will need to be learned.

The Shrimpers need to move the ball quicker than on Saturday and are perhaps still lacking an aggressive performer to help with the uglier side of proceedings at this level.

Boreham Wood excelled where that was concerned at the weekend and also stopped Blues building up momentum by regularly disrupting play.

It is of course frustrating to watch but it worked for the visitors on Saturday and showed the Shrimpers will not have anything easy this season.

Yes, hopes are high and so should they be for Southend at this level.

But that expectation will be matched by several other sides who will also feel they have what it takes to push for the play-offs.

And – as Saturday showed perhaps more than anything else – Blues will need to be at their best to pick up points and will also need to find more in the final third.

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