Home v Brentford - Saturday 21st February 2009 | |
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The Bees may find themselves in a mid-table position in the South-East Conference of the Youth Alliance, but they remain a team difficult to break down, although during an inspired first-half performance, Southend could have netted more than Ljungström's solitary strike.
The Swedish striker partnered Craig Calver up front in place of Tashan Adeyinka, who dropped to the bench, whilst the only other change from the 3-1 success over Colchester United saw Ade Osifuwa replace the injured Duran Reynolds, who sits on the sidelines with damage to his ankle ligaments.
Inside the first minute, the visitors almost caught Blues out, with Geoff Banks-Smith, who scored the second goal in the 3-3 F.A. Youth Cup first round draw at Roots Hall in November, waltzing through the defence direct from kick-off before Nathan McDonald blocked his shot with an outstretched right leg.
During a feisty opening, Ljungström tussled with a Brentford defender on the halfway line, although the referee was unsighted as the Southend forward appeared to have his face thrust into the pitch. The tall front man was soon in the action in the penalty area, flicking on Marcus Milner's right-sided cross for Justin Hazell to aim an overhead kick the wrong side of the left-hand post.
Southend's persistence finally paid off in the 23rd minute. Calver worked hard on the left-hand edge of the penalty area to set up a crossing opportunity for Jack Morris, and the left-back dug out a pass to Hazell. The first-year scholar controlled the ball before finding Ljungström, who turned the ball underneath the goalkeeper from close range.
Hazell could have doubled the lead two minutes later when Byrne's long throw picked him out eight yards out with the necessary finish eluding the Leigh-born youngster, who slashed wildly over. The final action of the opening period saw Merrick James-Lewis make an excellent block just inside the area and Banks-Smith denied when his low follow-up was deflected wide.
The Shrimpers found it tougher in the second period, but a resolute defensive performance, led by Jones and Osifuwa at the heart of the back four, ensured that the south Londoners would not equalise.
Again Brentford enjoyed a chance inside the first sixty seconds of the half, this time Banks-Smith mis-controlling a short pass when one-on-one with McDonald and watching the ball dribble wide.
When Blues did break forward, Craig Calver was the fulcrum of the attack, although on the opening occasion he favoured a fierce shot from distance that was easily blocked when a simple pass to James-Lewis could have been more dangerous. The next opportunity saw the Saffron Walden-born striker exchange passes with Hazell before curling into the goalkeeper's gloves.
With a little over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, substitute Jamie Dennis' cross was headed out as far as James-Lewis, lurking some 20 yards out, but his driven effort flew inches wide.
Despite suffering a few scary moments in the closing stages, Southend stood firm to record a second successive home victory in 2009 and continue to chase down Youth Alliance leaders Rushden & Diamonds, who have played four more matches than the Shrimpers. Next Saturday is due to see Ricky Duncan's charges travel to Leyton Orient as they set out on a hectic run-in.
Southend United U18s: Nathan McDonald; Ricky Byrne, Ronnie Jones, Adetayo Osifuwa, Jack Morris; Marcus Milner (Jamie Dennis 69), Davis Abbey, Merrick James-Lewis, Justin Hazell; Craig Calver, Fredrik Ljungström (Harry Crawford 67). Subs not used: Medi Abalimba, Tashan Adeyinka, Callum Whittaker.
Goal: Ljungström 23. Booked: Abbey, Calver.