SOUTHEND United's under 19 side registered their first National League Youth Alliance South Division victory of the season by defeating Bromley, 2-1, at Hayes Lane on Wednesday afternoon.

Blues were in control of the game for long periods, having taken the lead on 21 minutes when Obi Okafor’s cross was deflected into the net.

Ronnie Blake added a second shortly after half-time, but a stoppage time penalty by Bromley substitute Will Coates led to a nervous conclusion.

However the Shrimpers hung on, much to the delight of youth team coach Danny Heath

“I’m pleased with the performance,” said Heath.

“It’s something they’ve worked hard for since coming back into the building in pre-season, so they are enjoying the win in the changing room.”

“I thought we showed both sides of our game.

"We showed the ability to play and we were a lot more confident to play through the thirds and not try to force the ball, and towards the end we had to show a different side to us when they put us under a bit of pressure.

"There are going to be those times when you have to do all you can to keep the ball out of the net.”

Heath made three changes to the team that lost 4-0 to Hemel Hempstead Town in The FA Youth Cup on Friday evening as Aiden Shehu, George Pulham and Piers Hatcliff came into the side in place of Archie McGonigle, Jack Stone and Joe Poxon.

Louis Bragg and Harrison Bradbury both made their first league appearances of the season.

The opening 20 minutes saw little goalmouth action, although the visitors largely controlled possession.

Southend should have made more of a fourth-minute free-kick, but a short set-piece routine between Blake and Beau MacDonald broke down, and in the 12th minute Mikey Faulkner over-hit his intended cross for Pulham.

MacDonald then failed to bring Faulkner’s through-ball under control as Blues hit Bromley on the counter-attack, but the away side took the lead in the 21st minute, aided by a slice of fortune.

Okafor did well to beat his man on the right-hand edge of the penalty area and his cross took a wicked deflection over Jamie Johnson and inside the far post, with Pulham ensuring the ball crossed the goal-line.

Charlie Brown was called into action for the first time 60 seconds later, saving from David Diaz at his near post, and full-back Malik Shittu drilled ball across the face of goal on the half-hour for the hosts.

Hayden Iwtsiful then forced Zak Hammond to make a crucial block, with the Blues skipper limping off to be replaced by Jake Huet in the 39th minute.

The final action of the first half almost saw Southend extend their lead in extraordinary circumstances.

Goalkeeper Brown lined up a free-kick inside his own half and, when his delivery bounced in the opposition penalty area, it almost deceived Johnson, who managed to claw the ball against the crossbar before Bromley scrambled it to safety.

The second period started in the best possible fashion for Blues as Blake doubled the advantage in the 51st minute.

Faulkner drove into opposition territory before offloading to Pulham and, although his centre was cut out, it fell invitingly for Blake to sweetly connect with a 22-yard strike into the roof of the net.

Although Joe Aris skewed an effort off-target in response, Southend had chances to add to their lead with Faulkner’s fierce strike deflected narrowly wide following an impudent flick by Shehu, whilst Okafor and Shehu both located Johnson’s gloves with their shots.

Brown quickly made amends after misjudging Kaya Hansson’s chip to drop on the loose ball, and Okafor did well to track back and force a Shittu cross out for a corner as Bromley sought to get back in the game.

It looked as though Blues would have little to worry about as the game entered stoppage time, but the additional 10

minutes were action-packed.

First Bromley halved their deficit from the penalty spot after Bradbury was penalised for a foul as he flew into a challenge.

Coates converted from 12  yards and suddenly a comfortable cushion – and seemingly a routine first victory since 25th March when Forest Green Rovers were dispatched 3-0 at Boots & Laces - was a precious one.

Bradbury partially atoned when he blocked a Diaz effort out in seventh minute of additional time, but Archie Cassidy could have levelled from the resultant corner when he side-footed wide from eight yards out.

Substitute Joe Poxon also gave Blues a scare when he sliced a cross over his own crossbar but, when the corner was cleared, the referee’s whistle finally sounded on a Southend win.

“It was a really positive performance,” added Heath.

“I felt we deserved the win.

"We got into good positions and created some good opportunities and forced the goalkeeper into some good saves.

"The mindset and reaction after going out of The FA Youth Cup is a massive positive.

"Good teams bounce back and for us that was about putting in a positive performance.”

Southend United U19s: Brown, Bragg ( Jackson 70), Hammond (Huet 39),  Shehu, Bradbury, Blake, Okafor, Faulkner, Pulham (Poxon 87), MacDonald (McGonigle 70), Hatcliff (Stone 77).