Away v Luton Town - Saturday 7th March 2009 | |
 |
After 53 weeks without a Youth Alliance League reverse, Ricky Duncan's young charges will have to pick themselves up quickly in order to bounce back from this abject performance, which lacked creativity and spark even if determination and durability were not in short supply.
Duncan made four changes to the side that had beaten Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 at Boots & Laces, with the injured Craig Calver the most notable absentee. Harry Crawford replaced the ex-Ipswich Town marksman, whilst Callum Whittaker was rested after his exertions for the reserves in midweek, with Jack Morris restored to the team at left-back.
A soporific start was broken up only by members of both teams struggling with their footing on a bobbly surface. To make matters worse, twigs were strewn across the surface, although in their defence, Luton have only recently converted the public park into a training facility.
Blues had the benefit of a slope during the first period, and the opening chance was supplied by a 13th-minute Morris throw. Fredrik Ljungström flicked the ball into the path of the returning Jamie Dennis, who was off-balance in half-volleying wide at the near post. Soon afterwards, Medi Abalimba - making his first start since United's previous away game in late October - saw the home goalkeeper just get to a Dennis corner first to palm over.
At the other end, Ljungström tracked back to block an unmarked header at the far post with a follow-up effort directed comfortably over. Dennis was next to threaten, although the Hatters' shotstopper was untroubled by a weak effort from just outside the penalty area.
With less than three minutes remaining in the first half, Luton took the lead on the break after the visitors' best opportunity. Ricky Byrne's cross to the far post was headed downwards by Crawford, and the 'keeper did well to save low to his right. The ball was swiftly delivered upfield and McDonald spilled a low shot that appeared to bounce just in front of him, leaving a Town midfielder to tap home.
Justin Hazell and Marcus Milner were introduced to give United more attacking threat from the flanks at the expense of the duo that had replaced them in the starting line-up, Abalimba and Dennis. Immediately Hazell supplied a cross for Crawford after Ljungström had charged down an attempted clearance, but the forward's shot was blocked and his Swedish colleague scuffed the rebound wide.
McDonald was called upon to make a good save just seconds later, but he was beaten again in the 58th minute. An inswinging corner was delivered to the near post, and Luton's tall winger was allowed to glance a header inside the far post.
Kyle Asante replaced a visibly frustrated Ljungström and was almost presented with an opportunity immediately as Milner burst down the right wing to the bye-line, firing his centre towards the substitute, only for the home custodian to parry out to safety.
Crawford drilled wide from a long McDonald free-kick and Ronnie Jones nodded into the 'keeper's gloves from a Morris corner as Southend desperately sought the goal that would give them a chance to draw level. Despite this, it was Luton who almost grabbed a third when McDonald made a fine point-blank save from a close-range header in the penultimate minute.
Inside stoppage time, the action closed when Merrick James-Lewis was denied by a last-ditch header off of the goalline and Asante blazed the loose ball over the crossbar. After a day when Southend were simply off of the pace, the squad will be desperate to put things right when Northampton Town visit Boots & Laces next Saturday.
Southend United U18s: Nathan McDonald; Ricky Byrne, Ronnie Jones, Adetayo Osifuwa, Jack Morris; Jamie Dennis (Marcus Milner 46), Merrick James-Lewis, Davis Abbey, Medi Abalimba (Justin Hazell 46); Fredrik Ljungström (Kyle Asante 70), Harry Crawford.
Subs not used: John Owinja, Callum Whittaker.
Booked: Jones (68 - foul tackle), Abbey (80 - foul tackle).