Oh Lord Lee Barnard, three in two for the Blues striker, and he's still fit!
The League Cup is not a competition I've supported over the years, the odd win over Manchester United an exception.
But the chance to catch up with the daughter and enjoy the delights of Cheltenham was too good to miss so armed with a one pound coach fare on the way up, and a nine pound train ticket the morning after, I set off with the main attraction catching the Sunderland loanee Jean-Yves M'Voto make his Blues debut for the rested skipper Adam Barrett.
Far too many beers were sunk in glorious August sunshine before the game, which meant the 90 minutes passed reasonably quickly in a crowd of less than 2,000.
Finding the end that we were in last season, and pleased to only have to cough up a tenner, I was shocked to be surrounded by a hundred twelve-year old Robin supporters, who did get quite annoying by the game's end with their mindless chanting, as they had moved the away support to the side!
A quiet word with a couple of stewards soon got things sorted and I became one of the 176.
'Man mountian' M'Voto on debut; 'Thou shall not pass'
M'Voto looking strong and assured in the back four without quite having the class of Dervite but early days yet.
The Colchester two had another fine game.
The good Lord's finishing was, as ever, excellent, meaning we have a second round draw to look forward to to-night at 22.15 on Sky Sports News where we could get Hull away, or not.
In fact not much happened in the first half, surprised Tilly felt we could have been four or five up(!), but it was a bit of a surprise when Cheltenham grabbed the lead.
What was not a surprise was the fussy referring of Mr. McDermid who hasn't improved since his outrageous display at Orient a couple of seasons ago in the 2-2 draw.
As the second 45 wore on the away side grew stronger and it seemed only a matter of time before the equaliser came and the good Lord duly delivered with 14 minutes left.
There was only one winner from there and extra-time was saved when an excellent whipped in cross from Simon Francis was met by the head of Barnard who completed his brace and made sure there was no shock result in this particular tie.
Passed a few moaning home fans on the walk back into town before the drinking continued in a pub open to 2am which even the daughter was surprised to find on a Tuesday evening in Cheltenham. Packed, served good beer reasonably priced, with the odd decent sound thrown in.
I was pleased to wake up in time to make sure I got the right train to make it to work this morning, not that a lot of work is being completed!
Southend United Player Marks: Mildenhall - 7; Francis - 7, Heath - 7, M'voto - 7, White - 7; Grant - 7, Christophe - 6 (L Sawyer 70 - 6), McCormack - 7, Moussa - 7; Barnard - 8 (A Revell 90), J Walker - 6 (D Freedman 70 - 6.) Subs not used: Joyce, Sankofa, Herd, Betsy.