Canvey Island 0 Southend United 4

Last updated : 14 July 2009 By S24news
Another four goals making thirteen in the three warm-up games so far and the second 4-0 win, this time against a team from the Ryman Premier that was expected to give Blues their hardest test so far.

This time it was Franck Moussa, Dougie Freedman, Craig Calver and Francis Laurent that did the damage at Park Lane Tuesday evening.

Eight changes were made by Tilly at half-time with Camano, French trailist Juan and Johnny Herd all playing the full 90 minutes.

After a quiet opening the Moose, playing on the left, grabbed the first with a hard, fast shot beating the Canvey keeper James Russell at his near post from a Freedman pass.

It was Dougie himself who got in on the act just before half-time with a typical cheeky effort, lobbing Russell from 20 yards out when he spotted the home keeper off his line.

For the second 45 Juan, who had played centre-half moved to right back, while Adam Barrett joined Camano in central defence.

Lee Sawyer ran on to start his second spell with the club after joining from Chelsea that very day on a six-month loan. He nearly even scored when he forced a good save from Russell after taking a direct free-kick from 25 yards out.

Calver though did score with a smart volley from the edge of the area just after the hour mark and Laurent made it four in the 80th minute smashing home in a one on one with the home keeper after a lovely Sawyer pass.

The jury is out on the 6ft 4in Spaniard, some feel he dominated, others just clumsy; more game time is needed and at least he didn't get injured.

More positive feedback on Juan, who reportedly was recommended to the club by Laurent, and has now spent more time on the pitch than anybody in the first team squad outside Herd.

Seems comfortable on the ball and would certainly keep the French connection up to speed with Dervite going. Might be in with a chance of a short term contract.

Southend United: Mildenhall (Joyce h-t), Francis (Barrett h-t), Camano, Juan, Herd, Betsy (Laurent h-t), Christophe (Grant h-t), McCormack (Sawyer h-t), Moussa (O'Keefe h-t), Freedman (Calver h-t), Revell (Barnard h-t).

Next game: Saturday July 18th, Chelmsford (a), kick-off 15.00.

Full preview, including how to get there and the best pubs to have a pint, posted on S24 Friday, July 17th.

For a view of the game from the official site go here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1722567,00.html