Craig Calver helped himself to a hat-trick and Justin Hazell took his goalscoring tally for the season into double figures with a brace as Ricky Duncan's team closed to within two points of table-toppers Queens Park Rangers after a tenth League win of the 2008/9 campaign.
For the first time in two seasons, Nathan McDonald was not between the sticks for the Shrimpers youth team as Under-16s custodian Daniel Bentley lined up in goal. There was a double change at centre-half with Ronnie Jones and Ade Osifuwa replaced by Callum Whittaker and an injury-free Duran Reynolds, whilst Harry Crawford started up front in place of Fredrik Ljungström.
Bentley was given an early touch on a beautiful sunny morning in south-east Essex when the Shots' centre-forward prodded goalwards from a neat cut-back. During the first quarter of the fixture, the visitors were much the more dangerous outfit and, aside from Hazell's low drive past the left-hand post in the 13th minute, they created all of the chances in this period.
Blues' new goalkeeper made a fine save on 16 minutes as he turned a well-struck shot onto the left-hand upright and even when he spilled a 25-yard free-kick that bounced awkwardly in front of him, Bentley was quick to avert the danger by leaping on the loose ball.
Harry Crawford nodded Ricky Byrne's pinpoint cross from the right into the gloves of the Town 'keeper at the midway point of the first half before the tide of opportunities turned in Southend's favour with the opening goal on 24 minutes. Calver won an aerial challenge on the edge of the penalty box and, when Crawford was tackled, Hazell was well-positioned to smash a rising shot into the roof of the net.
Four minutes later it was former Ipswich Town front man Calver who was celebrating a close-range finish of his own. Byrne delivered another fine centre from the right flank and Crawford was involved again, seeing his initial effort blocked before his strike colleague tapped in easily to make it 2-0.
Although Bentley was called upon to turn a glancing header over the crossbar, the remainder of the opening period was spent in the Aldershot half. Calver guided a left-footed shot around the left-hand post just after the half-hour and Milner attempted an elaborate flick that was sent inches over the bar before Davis Abbey opened up his body on a volley from twelve yards that was directed wide.
The half finished with a long Bentley goal-kick flicked on by Calver into the path of Crawford. When the first-year scholar couldn't get his shot away, the ball fell to Hazell, who this time delivered a stinging shot that brought a fine save from the Aldershot goalkeeper.
Southend continued their domination after the interval although, despite the determination of the front two, the confident display was not rewarded until the 63rd minute. Crawford slipped the ball through to Calver in the inside-left channel, and the striker held off the attentions of a defender before sending his 15th youth team goal of the season into the top right-hand corner with the help of a touch from the 'keeper.
Crawford's hard-working performance deserved to be rewarded with a goal, but the closest he would come was a driven effort from the edge of the box that cannoned back off of the woodwork. Jack Morris' free-kick flew just over the crossbar and the left-back then embarked on a long run that culminated with an attempt curled with the outside of his left boot which was pushed out to safety.
With twelve minutes left Calver completed his second hat-trick of the season. Substitute Medi Abalimba combined with Crawford, who crossed to the far post. The ball just missed the head of Jamie Dennis, and Calver was expertly placed to touch into the roof of the net.
A flurry of late strikes began three minutes from time when a free-kick was conceded 25 yards out and the set-piece was superbly dispatched into the top right-hand corner of the net by an Aldershot centre-forward.
Within a minute-and-a-half, United had restored their four-goal lead as Reynolds' slide-rule pass was passed into the net for his eleventh goal of the campaign by Hazell, the ball slipped beautifully underneath the advancing goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, during the second minute of stoppage time, Reynolds was guilty of being too casual on the edge of his own penalty area and Town reduced the arrears to 5-2 with their other front man the grateful beneficiary.
Blues now travel to Barnet on Wednesday afternoon knowing that a victory in Hertfordshire will lift them back to the pinnacle of the Youth Alliance South-East Conference by a single point.
Southend United U18s: Daniel Bentley; Ricky Byrne, Callum Whittaker, Duran Reynolds, Jack Morris; Marcus Milner (Kyle Asante 66), Davis Abbey (Medi Abalimba 66), Merrick James-Lewis (Jamie Dennis 61), Justin Hazell; Craig Calver, Harry Crawford.
Subs not used: Adetayo Osifuwa, John Owinja.
Goals: Hazell (25, 89), Calver (29, 63, 78).
Booked: Calver (28 - foul).