Harry Crawford: 2-year pro deal for the young striker
Great news for the 18-year old Harry Crawford, who has been offered a two-year professional contract after impressing in the Under-18 side where he has scored 11 goals in just 18 games this season.
He's also been warming the bench for the last couple of first team games without being called into service.
Head of Youth Ricky Duncan told www.southendunited.co.uk: "We've made an offer to Harry and he is thinking it over at the moment. He's done well this season and it's a good opportunity for him."
Southend have also offered four second year scholars third year extentions, they are defenders Duran Reynolds and Adetayo Osifuwa, and midfielders Marcus Milner and Merrick James-Lewis. Striker Kyle Asante is also being considered for a deal but is out injured at the moment.
More on all this and midfielder George Smith's adventures in Greece witth The Republic of Ireland's Under-17 side in our Youth section soon.
Meanwhile, back to the reserves and their trip to the Cobblers, where they might find the going easier than recent matches.
Wearing his reserve team manager hat Ricky Duncan will be pleased he can call on the services of Sunderland loanee Jean-Yves M'Voto to join Osie Sankofa in a stronger back four, but no left back Johnny Herd, who has been playing in these fixtures recently.
Midfielder Stuart O'Keefe had recovered enough from his surgery on a hernia injury to turn out for the first half only.
Southend United: Bentley, Osifuwa, M'Voto, Sankofa, Nesbitt, Okai, James-Lewis, O'Keefe, Milner, Spencer, Crawford.
Subs: O'Archie, Dennis, Ferdinand (Kane!)
Full report available on S24 after the game.