The Moose himself who scored a brace on Saturday
Well its finally back!!!! Apart from the one Saturday when I was dragged down the aisle, Saturdays have been dull and empty since May but at last it has returned to lighten up our lives. I made the 15 minute walk, (well I say 15 minute walk but I was lazy and drove), to Ship Lane excited to see the Blues back in action and also what trialists would be trying to impress.
It was an experienced line up which started the game Big Steve Midenhall made his debut in goal, and in all honesty he could have spent the whole game swinging off the bar for all the work he had to do. Its always nice to see a keeper that can touch the bar without the aid of a step ladder and this fella could probably do it on his knees!
We took the lead after 20 minutes when The Moose started a run before he decided to have a pop from 20 yards out which did take a deflection of the Thurrock defender but for my money was always going in. With a lead we never looked like conceding, this was doubled 6 minutes later when some neat play and a classy turn from Barney led to him putting the ball in the bottom corner. We bossed the game after this and had time for Nicky Bailey to miss a sitter, (but for his benefit we'll say the keeper made a top save). Then just before Half Time The Moose fed Barney who had his shot saved by the Thurrock Keeper but it only rebounded to the Moose who had continued his run to calmy stroke in his second.
With us 3-0 up I expected us to make wholesale changes but to be fair they never came, just after half time Stuart O Keefe scored a peach when from just outside the penalty area and a standing posistion managed to curl the ball up and over the keeper hitting the underside of the bar and going over the line.
Then the changes happened and we brough on Ademano, Jones and Henry but to be honest the only real highlight of the game apart from Ademano having a chance was listening to the infamous Dagenham Kev who I swear supports every side in Essex, sporting a Southend away shirt with Thurrock hat, (the last time I saw him he was wearing a Grays shirt with Dagenham hat), and his views on Southend, including some slightly iffy ones on Tilson and Brush. He even had time to moan that physio John Stannard wasn't up to much and if we continued with those in charge we'd finish 23rd.
When the whistle did come the Thurrock players were as glad as Kev's "mate" that it had finished and that they could retire home - all in all a good work out but the proper test will be when a supposed strong Fulham side comes to the Hall.
Mildenhall: Very rarely tested - when he did have to do anything he did it very comfortably - 7
Forshaw: A left winger playing at right back? But in the whole looked steady - its was good to see Osei guiding the lad - 7
Blanchett: Trialist who to be fair I think we've seen the last off, the only reason he stood out was his red boots, iffy touches and certainly no Mulgrew - 6
Bailey: Missed the sitter but in general had a good game and nice to see him in the shirt after all the speculation with regards to his future - 7
Sankofa: Looked good - also like to way he coached young Forshaw along - 7
Barrett: Mr Southend was rarely troubled but when called upon did his job - 7
Scannell: Jury is out on him, he certainly isn't Marky G's replacement. I think he could do with a spell out on loan at a League Two club but still showed some good touches - 7
MOUSSA: Blinding game scored two and generally looked excellent in the middle of the park MOTM - 9
Barnard: Nice work out for him and if he stays injury free could see 20+ goals from him this year - 8
Walker: Had a good game, would have been nice to see him on the score sheet but glad he's still here - 8
O Keefe: Capped a good performance with a blinding goal - 8
Subs: Ademano: - 7 Jones: - 7 Henry: - 7