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Southend included five trialists in their starting line-up; Neil Jenkins was playing again after a great performance against West Ham, whilst Rio Alderton was joined by Aston Villa duo Jay Smith and John McGrath with former Grimsby Town midfielder John Burnett completing the line-up of newcomers.
In what was a rather unexciting first period, Mark Beard saw his dangerous looking cross hacked out for a corner by Josh Leeke, before on 10 minutes a Leon Cort error could have handed Swifts the lead, but Kevin Budge could only stab the ball straight into the arms of Daniel Gay.
Burnett sent a shot just wide of the post on 18 minutes before Smith, connecting onto a good Jenkins cross, somehow fired wide at the far post with the goal gaping in front of him.
Barrington Belgrave then fizzed a shot just wide before the home side took the lead on 35 minutes, a David Rainsford through ball found Steve Portway who confidently slotted the ball past Gay from a tight angle.
As Heybridge looked to improve upon their one goal advantage, Budge saw a shot deflected just wide the same man again shot wide following a Chris Wilson cross.
As the first half came to a close, McGrath should have done better, shooting wide following a fine pass by Smith.
United made five changes at half time and the performance certainly improved as a result. Southend came ever so close to a leveller in the third minute of the second period, McGrath hitting a 20 yard free kick against the angle following a foul on Tesfaye Bramble.
The equaliser did finally arrive on 52 minutes, Daniel Lunan hitting a long ball forward into the path of Bramble who charged towards goal, and despite his powerful shot hitting goalkeeper Danny Potter, the ball fell straight back into the path of Bramble who had no problems in striding forward a couple of yards and tapping the ball into an empty net.
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Six minutes later Gay was called into action for thew first time since the interval, doing well to hold onto Rainsford's long range effort.
Swifts fullback Chris Wilson, a member of the Shrimpers youth team only last season, did very well to put a halt to a skilfull Steven Clark run before Stuart Thurgood's low free kick was deflected well wide on 68 minutes.
Potter did well to claim the ball at the feet of Beard following a neat flick on by Rio Alderton on 70 minutes before Phil Whelan nodded a McGrath cross just wide five minutes later. Clark, playing in a rather unfamiliar striking role then squandered a great opportunity, badly slicing the ball wide from a neat McGrath knock.
Gay did very well to deny Wilson a scoring chance on 84 minutes, bravely diving at the youngsters feet 15 yards from goal before the Shrimpers second choice custidian again did well to block a fierce effort from Budge.
That however was just about that as far as the action was concerned. There was no doubt that Heybridge gave United a very good match, but especially following such a good performance two days earlier, perhaps United really should have produced more.
SOUTHEND:- Daniel Gay; Mark Beard, Neil Jenkins (David McSweeney 46), Daniel Lunan (Neil Jenkins 74), Leon Cort (Phil Whelan 46); Rio Alderton, Wayne Burnett (Stuart Thurgood 46), Jay Smith, John McGrath; Daniel Webb (Tesfaye Bramble 46), Barrington Belgrave (Steven Clark 46).
HEYBRIDGE:- Kingsley Banks; Josh Leeke, Chris Wilson, Danny Barber, John Pollard; Andy Tomlinson, David Rainsford, Rob Walker, Louis Baille; Kevin Budge, Steve Portway. Subs (all used) - Danny Potter, Glenn Moss, Jamie Window, Simon Walker, Danny Stanley.
SCORER - Bramble 52.
REFEREE - John Hayto.
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com