18-year-old Kightly has added just ten seconds to his eighteen previous Southend United appearances during 2004/5, replacing hat-trick hero Freddy Eastwood in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the 4-2 win over Swansea City six days ago. Although he was named on the substitutes’ bench for the 3-2 defeat to Scunthorpe three days later, he did not appear, and as a result he has been loaned out to Town.
The move is a sure sign of collaboration between current Blues boss Steve Tilson and former team-mate, ex-Southend right-back Dean Austin, who is the director of football at Farnborough. Kightly also joins former trialist goalkeeper Craig Holloway at Cherrywood Road, although rumours are being circulated that Town players are currently going unpaid.
The youngster will go straight into the side to face metropolitan Essex outfit Dagenham & Redbridge at home tomorrow, although he will not be allowed to play in the side that tackle Barnet in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup a week later – Tilson has ensured that Kightly is not Cup-tied. He could also feature in Pontin’s Holidays Combination fixtures for the club, if the Shrimpers decide to risk him, although he will not be eligible for the Essex Senior Cup clash against Brentwood Town.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com