It what looked a strong Shrimpers seconds line-up, proof we believed of what a decent squad Blues boss Paul Sturrock has built up even with a the injury list as it is.
By the end of the game the few that made the effort may be wondering if that's the case, with striker Kyle Asante missing a sitter and Jemal Johnson continuing his poor form since signing for the club, he seems unable to find his teammates let alone do anything creative!
We won't talk about Blair!
Luggy was in fact in the technical area for the whole game, along with several first teamers sitting in the stand, as reserve team boss Graham Coughlan was skippering the lads out on the field, so he saw the whole complete mess.
As Michael Timlin can't play against his parent club Swindon on Saturday, it's in the loan agreement, he took this rare chance, there will only be eight Combination league games this season, to get 90 minutes under his belt before he can come into contention for the home game against Gillingham next Tuesday, which he must be as he was the only player out there, James Stephens to some extent, who looked as if he had remembered how to pass the ball, to those in Blue shirts especially!
Luton though were no mugs, they didn't have a bad side as well, and had new signings midfielder John Paul Kissock, best player on the pitch, and winger Collin Samuel in their starting line-up, along with defenders Dean Beckwith and Ed Asafu-Adjaye, and striker Aaron O’Connor.
No surprise when it was Kissock that got the only goal of the game on 16 minutes, a free-kick that was deflected wide of Southend keeper Daniel Bentley.
The miss; eleven minutes later, young Kyle rising six yards out to head a decent Teddy Nesbitt cross from the left, over the bar.
A loan deal with a Conference side may be being discussed as we talk, maybe a job lot with Harry who was also poor, Tilly to help us out?!
As for the second half, well, to be fair, Asante did have the ball in the net,, but the linesman's flag was raised for offside and on the hour Crawford shot over the bar and the wondewrfully named sub Seedy Njie headed wide.
This was poor stuff at wet and windy Roots Hall, the few that braved the cold would ask for their money back, but as was free we're let them off, at least with those five goal hammerings you saw some goal action!
Still with only seven more Combination league games until May Coughers has a lot of time with the fringe members of the team who on paper should be performing much better than this!
As for what Sturrock was thinking?
Possibily if there's enough dosh hanging around for a loanee or two when that particular transfer window reopens this week, we need them!
Southend United: Bentley, Artemi, Coughlan, Gilbert, Nesbitt, Asante (Agyakwa 66), Timlin, Stevens (Paxman 75), Johnson, Crawford, Sturrock (Njie 66).
Subs: Chambers, Auger.
Luton Town: Kidd, Jibodu, Asafu-Adjaye, Beckwith (Carney 66), Carden, Kissock, Stephens, Tavernier, McAdams, O’Connor (Henry 66), Samuel (Ann 84).
Subs: Deeney, Nash, Da Siva.
Next up the reserve Farmers at Roots Hall - Tuesday, September 20th; kick-off 14.00.