Really time to get a more up to date photo of Matty, anyway he scored
Well, this was better!
Yes, Ron is a shit, Tilly was shafted; but you have to give it to Sturrock with what he's done in a fortnight, calling in his old boys, (literally in son Blair's case, out injured here), and getting some sort of competitive side together
that held not just one, but two Derby sides in 90 minutes!
Rhys Evans seems to have won the battle of the keepers from the Dartford debacle, as Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz was nowhere to be seen, but former Borient favourite Glen Morris warmed the bench and grabbed 45 minutes in the second half.
All the new pre-contract signings were there bar Sofiene Zaaboub who we presume was also carrying a knock, but big centre-forward Barry Corr was declared fit to play.
There was also some trailists in the form of Louis Soares, seen previously on Friday and a defender from Aldershot; also Graham Coughlan, a free agent defender previously with Shewsbury.
The game started with shots from Anthony Grant after only a couple of minutes and after some fine passing between Soares and Ryan Hall, it was the latter who let loose with his favourite left foot to drive just wide.
Hall going on to impress on both wings and could well end up being a real favourite, and as S24 wrote today, he could be the best of the Sturrock signings if he decides at 22, this is the time to make his mark in a good way.
However, it was the Championship side, playing a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation and giving former Shrimper youth Medi Abakimba a start, who took the lead after only 10 minutes.
Kris Commons beauty of a free-kick was powerfully headed home by Rob Hulse.
Soon after Evans in the Shrimpers goal did his future prospects no harm at all when he saved well from scorer Hulse.
Derby just shaded it in the first half, though it was Southend who finished it the stronger when Corr just failed to meet another wonderful Hall cross after an equally fine pass from new skipper Craig Easton.
A completly new Rams side took the field for the second period and nearly doubled their lead when Luke Varney headed against the bar from Ben Pringle's accurate corner.
After Soares had shot over the bar from way out, Johnny 'oh bugger I'm back on the bench' Herd got a chance with Peter Gilbert getting a knock, and later on Scoptt Spencer replaced the tirering Corr.
Yet, as the half wore on this was obviously Derby's second eleven and the home side pushed forward eventually getting their reward, Vernon adjudged to have fouled Grant in the box and Matt Paterson stepped up to score.
Nice to see a couple of the old names getting together!
In fact a third, old name that is, Scott Spencer, found himself in a one-on-one with new Rams shot stopper Saul Deeney, but failed to take advantage.
And that was that, plenty of encouraging signs for Sturrock and the Shrimpers faithful alike.
Next up, assistant boss Tommy Widdrington's old club, Salisbury City on Friday.
Now we just need the return of Chairman Ron Martin, some bills to be paid, and a High Court judgement to go our way, easy.
Teams:
Southend United: Rhys Evans (Glen Morris h-t), Sean Clohessy, Peter Gilbert (Johnny Herd 51), Craig Easton (c), Graham Coughlan, Mohsni Bilel, Loius Soares, Anthony Grant, Barry Corr (Scott Spencer 55), Matt Paterson, Ryan Hall.
Subs not used: Adetayo Osifuwa, Merrick James-Lewis, Scott Spencer.
Derby County: 1st Half: Bywater, Brayford, Leacock, Moxey, Martin, Green, Abalimba, Cywka, Doyle, Commons, Hulse.
2nd Half: Deeney, Varney, Anderson (Garton), O'Brien, Roberts, Savage, Bailey, Mills (Ledgister), Pringle, Connolly, Morgan-Smith.
Subs: Garton, Ledgister
Attendance: 1,502 (163 Derby County fans, congrats to you all.)
Updated Pre-Season Schedule
Friday, July 16th - Dartford 2 Southend United 0
Monday, July 19th - Southend United 1 Derby County 1
Friday, July 23rd - Salisbury City (away); kick-off 19.30.
Wednesday, July 28th - Rushden & Diamonds (away); kick-off 19.30.
Saturday, July 31st - Eastbourne Borough (away); kick-off 15.00.