Newly-promoted Blues, playing in front of a home crowd for the first time since May’s Play-Off success at the Millennium Stadium, were simply a class above their higher-ranking opponents, Lions new boss Steve Claridge surely grateful that his side were not on the end of a real hiding.
The Shrimpers manaed a single goal victory over Ryman Leaguers Chelmsford City on Saturday, but in a classy performance Millwall rarely threatened as they were put to the sword against an energetic Blues side.
Cole certainly impressed in his first Roots Hall outing. With just three minutes played the all-action 19-year old picked up a loose ball in defence before sprinting fully 70 yards upfield, although his eventual centre wasn’t quite met by frontman James Lawson.
Lawson, himself a youngster at just 17, was given a starting place along side Wayne Gray and will come away very pleased with his performance. The local lad can also count himself very unlucky that he failed to win his side what looked like a blatant penalty on nine minutes following a clumsy trip by Bob Peeters.
Jay Smith, excelling in his first real football since February 2004, stabbed a low shot at goalkeeper Andy Marshall following superb work on the right flank by Mark Gower.
The opening goal arrived on 27 minutes, and it was a strike worth waiting. It was also a strike worth the £45,000 Blues paid to Grays for the services of Cole who already looks like a player to influence the side in the coming season. Gower surged down the right side again, delivering a low cross that Cole picked up at the far post before smashing past Marshall from a seemingly improbable angle. (1-0)
United’s lead could have been doubled on 33 minutes, Wayne Gray shooting over the top from six yards following fine work by Eastwood, just on for Lawson.
A clumsy foul on Cole brought another justified spot-kick claim from Southend, but referee Grant Hegley once again waved away appeal. Unfortunately for Hegley, it has transpired that referees also need pre-season and he is currently along way from top form!
Steve Tilson once more rung the changes at the interval. Darryl Flahavan replaced the untroubled Bart Griemink between the sticks with impressive Serbian trialist Nikola Jozic and skipper Adam Barrett making way for Spencer Prior and Andy Edwards at the back.
Another trialist, Mark Wright replaced Che Wilson whilst Duncan Jupp, Mark Bentley and Kevin Maher came on for Jay Smith, Mark Gower and Kewis Hunt.
Southend though, despite the change in personnel,. Continued to completely dominate their South London opponents and within seconds of the re-start, Eastwood had tested Marshall with a header from Coles’ assist.
Then, on 50 minutes a bad slip in the Millwall rearguard presented the ball to Luke Guttridge who strode forward before planting a fierce shot against the upright with Marshall well beaten.
The ever dangerous Cole shot just over the top from 20 yards before Mark Bentley’s goalward header was desperately bundled off the goalline.
Millwall’s first real chance of the game didn’t arrive until the 75th minute, Flahavan producing a fine stop to push a low shot around the post.
However, two minutes later Southend’s lead was rightly doubled. Bentley sent Lawson, having returned for Gray, through on goal but just as the youth team striker was about to shoot he was upended by David Livermore. A penalty was certainly on the cards but up popped Eastwood to slam home the loose ball and seal a satisfying evening for the Shrimpers. (2-0)
SOUTHEND UNITED:- Bart Griemink (Darryl Flahavan ht); Lewis Hunt (Duncan Jupp ht), Che Wilson (Mark Wright ht), Nikola Jozic (Spencer Prior ht), Adam Barrett (Andy Edwards ht); Luke Guttridge (Paul Goodacre 90), Jay Smith (Mark Bentley ht), Mark Gower (Kevin Maher ht), Mitchell Cole (Kurt Husnu 80); Wayne Gray (James Lawson 73), James Lawson (Freddy Eastwood 30).