Mildenhall Town 2 Southend United U18s 4

[Exiled Shrimper]

Southend United were also victorious in the 'other' pre-season friendly at Recreation Way this morning. Billed as a Southend United XI, Ricky Duncan's Under-18 side defeated the first team of Ridgeons League Premier Division Mildenhall Town in an 11 a.m. kick-off.

After going behind early on, James Lindie equalised before a second hat-trick in successive matches from fellow forward Rhys Henry put Blues Youths 4-1 in front. A late consolation followed, but in sapping heat, the young Shrimpers held off a comeback to record another pre-season success.

A full report will appear in the usual places later.

The Under-18s are next in action in their final pre-season friendly of 2007/8 next Saturday against Barking Abbey's Under-18 side at Boots & Laces. Kick-off is 11 a.m.

 

[JoshC]

this rhys henry is looking good for the future, how old is he?

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

this rhys henry is looking good for the future, how old is he?

He's a second-year this season so he'll be 18 during the current campaign. If he keeps scoring goals then obviously he'll put pressure on the management staff to offer him a contract towards the end of 2007/8.

Rhys did start last season very well, but lost confidence and the goals dried up. Hopefully he will keep up his form so far this year, he is slightly taller than last year and his main attribute of his pace remains a real threat. To perform as well as he, and everyone else did, against an adult side today was a credit to SUFC.

 

[Hazey]

Having not seen him play, how would you rate him compared to mooose and ademeno, if not now then potential wise.

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

Having not seen him play, how would you rate him compared to mooose and ademeno, if not now then potential wise.

Obviously he's closer to Ademeno in that he's a forward (though he can play wide right), but he hasn't got the obvious physical strength that Charles has. Whereas Ademeno was sent out to Bishops Stortford and Cambridge to improve his reading of the game because he could batter his way through Youth Alliance matches, I think the opposite would be true for Rhys - he read the game perfectly today, but I would like to see him improve physically. That said, he is a lot stronger this year than he was last season.

He is more of a natural scorer than Ademeno is, but I do have to reiterate that despite this youth team having a bucket-load of potential, we have got to be patient with them. Their results have been really impressive, both in the run-in last year and pre-season this year, and there is a fantastic team spirit in the squad, but if any are propelled quickly into the first-team arena, then supporters shouldn't expect immediate results - although I wouldn't be surprised if that did happen!

 

[Shrimperstrust]

Match Report now online here.

 

[Ricey]

Rhys Henry is a cracking player. Really hope he matures well and plays well so he gets offered a contract I recon he will be better than Ademeno and Ademeno is class!