Ryman League Premier Division side Concord Rangers took on a strong Shrimpers reserve side Wednesday evening and grabbed a deserved draw.
The Beach Boys took the lead on 35 minutes after an error from Southend reserve keeper Daniel Bentley let in a cross by Tom Bailey, both our shot stoppers are having the odd dodgy moment, but Dan did go on to have a good game making several decent saves.
The fact is though that Concord had most of the first half possession and struck the woodwork on several occasions, they should have been more than a goal to the good at the break though serial central defender trialist George Artemi did head on to the bar himself on 12 minutes.
After another incredible Concorde miss early on in the second half the son of Luggy himself, on his return from an ankle injury, decided to take control of matters by hitting the post twice in thirteen minutes before finally getting the equliser on 84 minutes from close range.
Not the most exciting of games, but a fair result in the end for the Graham Coughlan run team, not that any body made a great case for first team promotion, bar Blair I suppose, and the continuing poor form of Johnson must be a concern for the Blues boss Paul Sturrock.
Blair Sturrock told the Echo after the friendly: "Always nice to get a goal and my ankle feels fine. Could do with a few more games but up to gaffer when I'm back."
While the man himself tweeted: "Still a long road ahead. To be continued.....
We have been warned!
Southend United: Bentley, Leonard, Furlonge, Artemi, Gilbert, Stevens (Smith 55), Woodyard (Hyland 87), Johnson (Paxman 80), Sturrock, Crawford (Auger 87), Asante (Njie 76).
A more detailed report from the official site: www.southendunited.co.uk