Sky Sports turned out hoping for an upset as the Saints, relegated from the Premiership last season, sent a near reserve side down to South Essex, but Harry Redknapp’s side grabbed a victory in a match which was much tighter than the score-line suggested, but a game which was played in the spirit of a pre-season friendly.
Indeed, the match was pretty much just that for United who, with a minimal squad, do not want any sort of run in the League Cup to distract their League One form. It may sound strange, but defeat here was a welcome result for Blues, who were still far from embarrassed.
Mark Gower and Luke Guttridge were both rested from first team action following Saturday’s hard-fought draw whilst Duncan Jupp missed out having picked up a thigh strain. Freddy Eastwood found himself on the bench, with Chairman Ron Martin choosing to appeal against his harsh sending-off against the Terriers. As a result, Shaun Goater made his first start in a Shrimpers shirt whilst Spencer Prior, Mitchell Cole, Lewis Hunt and Jay Smith – his first start since February 2004 – also came into the side.
Southend lost the tie in the closing minutes of the first half, conceding two sloppy goals to give Southampton a comfortable half-time advantage. Firstly ex-Oxford United youngster Dextor Blackstock poked home from close range after Darryl Flahavan had spilled Kenwyne Jones’ header from a Yoann Folly corner, and then slack marking allowed Nathan Dyer to eventually slot home after a dangerous run and cross from David Prutton.
Prior to the Saints killer goals, Blues had created some great chances of their own to take the lead, but were thwarted by Saints’ excellent young shot-stopper Paul Smith – a man many Blues fans will remember for an incredible performance for his former Club, Brentford, in the Area Final of the 2001 LDV Vans Trophy.
Smith’s best save saw Goater’s fierce header pushed wide of the post whilst he also did well to cling onto an Adam Barrett header, following a swinging Carl Pettefer centre.
Steve Tilson’s side had enjoyed the best of early first half pressure, dangerous crosses from Pettefer and Cole causing havoc in the Saints penalty area, but without an opening goal fortcoming, Southampton grabbed the upper hand just as they built up to hit Blues with a pre-half-time double-whammy.
In a slowed-paced second half, Southampton were sparked to life only by the arrival of former Millwall player-boss Dennis Wise whilst United were given a boost as Eastwood was given a half-hour run out ahead of what is almost certainly going to be a three-match ban for the 21-year old striker.
Lively striker Blackstock, an England Under-19 International, saw a 25-yard drive bounce just wide of the post off Spencer Prior and the same player forced a magnificent stop out of Flahavan.
Mark Bentley, arriving at the same time as Eastwood, saw an ambitious 30 yard shot drift over Smith’s crossbar before the Saints custodian produced another fine stop, tipping Prior’s header, from skipper Kevin Maher’s flag kick, acrobatically over the top.
However, just a minute from time the visitor’ victory was confirmed with a real fluke of a goal as Rory Delap’s low shot took a huge deflection and sent helpless Flahavan the wrong way.
SOUTHEND UNITED:- Darryl Flahavan; Lewis Hunt, Che Wilson, Adam Barrett, Spencer Prior; Kevin Maher, Jay Smith (Freddy Eastwood 63), Carl Pettefer, Mitchell Cole (Mark Bentley 63); Wayne Gray, Shaun Goater. Unused subs – Andy Edwards, Luke Guttridge, Bart Griemink.
SOUTHAMPTON:- Paul Smith; Martin Cranie, Danny Higginbotham, Matthew Mills, Tomasz Hajto; Rory Delap, Yoann Folly, David Prutton (Dennis Wise ht), Nathan Dyer; Kenwyne Jones (Brett Ormerod ht), Dexter Blackstock. Unused subs – Alan Blayney, Ricardo Fuller, Theo Walcott.
MATCH STATS
Shots/headers on target: Blues 3, Saints 8
Shots/headers off target: Blues 2, Saints 4
Shot Blocked: Blues 3, Saints 2
Hit Woodwork: Blues 0, Saints 0
Corners: Blues 7, Saints 3
Free-kicks: Blues 18, Saints 14
Caught Offside: Blues 6, Saints 5
BOOKED:
Blues: None
Saints: Dyer (50 – foul)
REFEREE: Brian Curson (10/10)