SOUTHEND United started their National League under 19 Alliance Academy South Division campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Eastleigh.

Blues made the perfect start to the 2024/25 season when Jack Stone turned home in the 16th minute, but Eastleigh responded 38 seconds into the second half through Jamie Arnold before grabbing the winner thanks to Sam Gorfroy 19 minutes from time.

There was a fresh look to Danny Heath’s line-up as he handed out five debuts.

Julius Nwike, Mitchell Ward, Nathan Woodley and twin brothers Johnny and Joe Gurie all made their first appearances for the club, taking their places alongside new skipper Joe Poxon.

Although Southend would eventually take the lead, it was the hosts who threatened first with Gorfroy sweeping a third-minute free-kick into the side-netting.

Jack Fox then nodded a Tyler Field corner wide before Yuvraj Landa and Connor Underhill combined in the seventh minute to set up forward Arnold, who failed to find the target from eight yards out.

The teenage Shrimpers earned a couple of corners as Woodley and Joe Gurie made enterprising runs down the right-hand side, and a further measure of Eastleigh’s frustrations came when their captain, Lewis Colvin, shoved Poxon to the ground during an off-the-ball run, earning a yellow card.

With a little over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock, Blues took the lead.

Ward linked up well with Joshua Jackson on the left touchline, and Jackson swung in a right-footed cross that was met by Stone, who saw his initial effort repelled by goalkeeper Dan Blackburn before tucking away the rebound.

The Spitfires looked for an immediate response, with Dan Aitken glancing another Field delivery wide before Arnold slipped the ball beyond Charlie Brown, only to see Ward covering and clearing from inside the six-yard box.

Arnold then headed a right-wing cross off-target before the players paused for a drinks break in warm conditions on the south coast.

The home side continued to carve out chances as the first half progressed, with Underhill sending Joe Ryan’s centre over and Field curling a free-kick in a similar direction before Fox steered a 25-yard strike narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Despite those opportunities, the half-time whistle blew without Brown having been truly tested.

That was to change straight after the restart as Eastleigh gained possession from the visitors quickly and Landa’s header released Ryan down the right.

His cross was perfect for former Colchester United forward Arnold, who guided his finish inside the left-hand post to equalise.

Nwike joined Woodley in the referee’s book for a mistimed challenge shortly afterwards, which was indicative of the work Southend were putting in, and Olu Shobowale sent a set-piece over in the 53rd minute following a foul on Joe Gurie as Blues attempted to restore their advantage.

However, the hosts continued to pose the greater threat, with Underhill volleying straight at Brown in the 63rd minute, whilst Aitken dragged an effort wide six minutes later.

The pressure finally told a couple of moments later when Gorfroy’s corner eluded Brown’s grasp and the ball crossed the line to make it 2-1.

Heath had already introduced new vice-captain George Pulham in place of Ward, and he also brought on Obi Okafor in place of Woodley, pushing him up with Poxon alongside Stone in a three-man attack.

That meant Southend were a little more susceptible to Eastleigh pushing forwards, and Nwike did well to get back and dispossess Ryan as he seemed set to bear down on goal in the 79th minute.

Freddie Miller replaced Johnny Gurie with three minutes remaining but, despite a couple of penalty area entries, Southend were not able to bring Blackburn into action, and the closest either side came to scoring during 10 additional minutes was a shot into the side-netting by Arnold.

Southend United U19s: Brown, Nwike, Ward (Pulham 66), Jackson,  Molefi, Shobowale, Joe Gurie, Johnny Gurie (Miller 87), Stone, Woodley (Okafor, 82), Poxon.

Sub not used: Makangu.