SOUTHEND United beat Kettering Town 2-1 in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at Roots Hall tonight.
Goals from Max Fiddes and Mo Amir put the Shrimpers in control before a late strike from Poppies substitute Charlie Wilson saw the hosts hanging on in the closing stages.
Blues started on the front foot with a quick free-kick teeing up Fiddes who rounded Kettering goalkeeper Danil Nikiforov before seeing his low shot, from a narrow angle, blocked by defender Ethan Dann.
Kettering replied with Josh Drain having a goalbound effort blocked before Blues hit back with Mitch Fallows delivering an excellent left wing cross, Mo Amir headed wide of the right post from close range.
With play switching back to the other end of the field, Drain fired straight at Blues goalkeeper Fin Purcell from 20 yards.
But the Shrimpers hit back and opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Amir’s left wing cross found Fiddes who sent a close range header into the bottom left hand corner of the South Stand net.
Henry Sandat then saw a curling effort blocked in front of goal before Fiddes raced onto a fine through ball from Jacob Bland and sent a chipped effort off target in the closing action of the first half.
Blues stayed on top and doubled their in the 55th minute, with Amir collecting the ball from Fallows before slamming a 20 yard shot into the roof of the net.
Moments later, Fallows fired wide of the right post after cutting in from the left hand side but, 10 minutes from time, the visitors got back into the game with a well struck shot from Wilson dropped into the top left hand corner, despite Purcell getting a touch.
Purcell then pushed a low, left footed shot Wilson wide of the left post as Blues hung on to secure a place in the second round against either Northampton On Chenecks or Milton Keynes Dons.
Southend United: Purcell, Kamara, Bolarinwa, Droney, Norman, Fallows (Bragg 71), Bland, Amir, Williams, Fiddes, Sandat.
Subs not used: Cerullo, Ebondo, Terry, MacDonald, Hatcliff & Bangs.
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