Exiled Shrimper
Manager
The boys from the OS were at the match this afternoon, but I thought I'd post a short report here as the Under-18s moved to the top of the Youth Alliance South-East Conference with a narrow 1-0 win over Colchester United.
The Shrimpers' only goal of the game was scored by 17-year-old attacker Peggy Lokando, who was formerly with Arsenal's youth set-up. The Democratic Republic of Congo-born winger received the ball thirty yards from goal and drilled it into the bottom left-hand corner from just inside the penalty area two minutes before half-time, with goalkeeper Jack Smelt only able to touch the ball into the net.
Blues' Youths had enjoyed much the better of proceedings up to that point, with Smelt denying Charles Ademeno and parrying a James lindie effort around his near post. When the custodian was not on hand to claw away, defender Ryan Amass nodded Tom Hopkins' header off of the goal-line from a Lee Smyth corner, and both Luke Thurlbourne and Johnny Herd saw skimming efforts flash inches past either upright.
However, just after Southend had taken the lead, Jeremiah Olusanya smashed a 30-yard shot against the inside of Joe Welch's right-hand post, and after the break, Fabian Quintyn and Olusanya both saw low efforts shave the left-hand upright.
With the wind at the visitors' backs, Quintyn also tested Welch with a fierce shot, whilst substitute Jimmy Pirie was denied by Hopkins, who hacked his header off of the line after some deliberation. Sam Corcoran was also unfortunate to see a free-kick curled just over, and a dipping half-volley just clear the crossbar.
That is not to say that Blues did not have their chances, and Smyth's free-kick had to be touched over the crossbar by Smelt as it threatened the top left-hand corner, whilst Nathan Speed almost deflected Lindie's cross into his own net. Thurlbourne could have calmed the nerves in stoppage time, but he caressed a long-range shot with the outside of his right boot just past the left-hand post.
The result means that Southend top the table from Gillingham on goal difference, with the Gills travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, whilst Ricky Duncan's men host Portsmouth. Queens Park Rangers remain a threat, just a point back with a game in hand. They play Northampton Town this weekend, and complete their season a week later as they make the trip to Brighton.
Team: Joe Welch; Dan Harvey, Ricky Byrne (Ronnie Jones 70 mins), Tom Hopkins, Johnny Herd; Peggy Lokando, Luke Thurlbourne, Richard Priest, Lee Smyth (Jamie Forshaw 85); James Lindie, Charles Ademeno (Davis Abbey 82). Sub not used: Rhys Henry.
The Shrimpers' only goal of the game was scored by 17-year-old attacker Peggy Lokando, who was formerly with Arsenal's youth set-up. The Democratic Republic of Congo-born winger received the ball thirty yards from goal and drilled it into the bottom left-hand corner from just inside the penalty area two minutes before half-time, with goalkeeper Jack Smelt only able to touch the ball into the net.
Blues' Youths had enjoyed much the better of proceedings up to that point, with Smelt denying Charles Ademeno and parrying a James lindie effort around his near post. When the custodian was not on hand to claw away, defender Ryan Amass nodded Tom Hopkins' header off of the goal-line from a Lee Smyth corner, and both Luke Thurlbourne and Johnny Herd saw skimming efforts flash inches past either upright.
However, just after Southend had taken the lead, Jeremiah Olusanya smashed a 30-yard shot against the inside of Joe Welch's right-hand post, and after the break, Fabian Quintyn and Olusanya both saw low efforts shave the left-hand upright.
With the wind at the visitors' backs, Quintyn also tested Welch with a fierce shot, whilst substitute Jimmy Pirie was denied by Hopkins, who hacked his header off of the line after some deliberation. Sam Corcoran was also unfortunate to see a free-kick curled just over, and a dipping half-volley just clear the crossbar.
That is not to say that Blues did not have their chances, and Smyth's free-kick had to be touched over the crossbar by Smelt as it threatened the top left-hand corner, whilst Nathan Speed almost deflected Lindie's cross into his own net. Thurlbourne could have calmed the nerves in stoppage time, but he caressed a long-range shot with the outside of his right boot just past the left-hand post.
The result means that Southend top the table from Gillingham on goal difference, with the Gills travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, whilst Ricky Duncan's men host Portsmouth. Queens Park Rangers remain a threat, just a point back with a game in hand. They play Northampton Town this weekend, and complete their season a week later as they make the trip to Brighton.
Team: Joe Welch; Dan Harvey, Ricky Byrne (Ronnie Jones 70 mins), Tom Hopkins, Johnny Herd; Peggy Lokando, Luke Thurlbourne, Richard Priest, Lee Smyth (Jamie Forshaw 85); James Lindie, Charles Ademeno (Davis Abbey 82). Sub not used: Rhys Henry.
Last edited:
