HARRY Cardwell will be bidding to become the first Southend United player in 61 years to score in the opening four league matches of a Shrimpers season this weekend.

Cardwell has netted against Oldham Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge and Dorking Wanderers already this season.

And, should he work his way onto the score-sheet against Hartlepool United at Roots Hall on Saturday, Cardwell will be the first Blues star since Micky Beesley back in 1962 to kick off a campaign is such prolific fashion.

The forward will be eager to help get the Shrimpers back on track after a midweek defeat at Dorking Wanderers and boss Kevin Maher has praised the impact the striker is making.

“He’s a big player for us with how he leads the line,” said Maher.

“The work he does for the team is very important and he’s got to get his fair share of goals which he’s done so far as well.

“We want to keep giving him chances and in the right areas as well, that’s the important thing.

“We’re pleased with Cards and for the work he does for the team it’s good to get that recognition.”

Cardwell fired Blues into an early lead at Dorking on Tuesday night before the hosts hit back to secure a 2-1 victory.

But Maher still took positives from the performance.

“We were disappointed to lose the game the other night but the way we performed for large parts of it and the chances we created was very good,” said Maher.

“We’ll be looking to do the same on Saturday but we’ll be up against opposition who will try their best to stop us.

“It’ will be nice to be back in front of our fans again at home and we’ll be looking to hit the level of performance we need to hit.

“We want to keep the standards as high as possible too.”

Blues have taken six points from their opening three games of the season and sit fourth in the table.