Matt Mundy reports on a successful Southend performance…
David Worrall scored a brilliant individual second-half goal to secure three vital points for Southend United.
The Shrimpers were without a home win in 4 games, but Worrall struck midway through the half to edge out a deserved win and lift the mood around Roots Hall.
The suspension of left-back Jerome Binnom-Williams forced a shuffle across the Blues backline with the incoming Adam Thompson filling in for John White at right-back, who moved out to the left side.
The game sprang into life immediately with Charlie Wyke volleying wide after 10 seconds for the visitors.
The home side responded well through Worrall who had a shot on target, before good work from the energetic youngster Jack Payne on the edge of the box created an opening for Barry Corr whose shot was straight at Scott Flinders.
The Shrimpers found their fluidity again 10 minutes later when Corr played a raking pass out to White on the left, who played in Worrall to the byline to cut back for Hurst, but his header was held by Flinders.
Again it was the home side who were looking likely to break the deadlock, showing no signs of nervousness after the cup disappointment. Worrall’s deft touch sat up nicely for Corr, but his shot was off target this time.
Hartlepool found a spark 35 minutes in and began to get a lot of joy down their left hand-side through Nicky Featherstone and Jonathon Franks. Featherstone jinxed his way into the box and forced Bentley into a save, before Franks whistled one inches over the bar.
As halftime approached, deputising right-back Thompson smashed over from close range for the Shrimpers in a half which offered chances but little in the way of clear-cut ones.
The second half started in much the same vein as the first finished, with the home side piling on the pressure.
Michael Timlin – back after a long injury lay-off – took aim from 30 yards out, but Flinders stretched out and claimed the ball diving to his left.
Ryan Leonard was next to try his luck, driving from midfield at the Pool defence and digging out a shot on target.
The problems that seem apparent from recent home results were obvious as Southend struggled to break down the bottom placed team in the league although they weren’t without imagination but more a clinical edge.
65 minutes in, their luck changed. Worrall, a danger all game from the left, received the ball from Corr on the right, ran 40 yards into the box and cut in on his left foot to slot a neat finish past Flinders from 12 yards.
It was a well taken goal and just what the Blues deserved.
Wyke led the Hartlepool response minutes after going behind. His shot from 25 yards was pushed wide from a great Bentley save in the Southend goal, followed by Bradley Walker whose similar effort was just wide of the left post.
Hartlepool’s third chance in quick succession fell to Franks this time but he also shot wide to the left, much to the relief of Bentley who was beaten.
Southend pushed on to try and double their lead through Payne, who was constantly probing and causing trouble for the visitors defence all afternoon, directing a half-volley from 18 yards just wide.
They couldn’t manage a second but the Blues did hold out for maximum points to make it back-to-back league wins and keep amongst the chasing pack in a League 2 play-off position.
TEAMS:
Southend: 1. Daniel Bentley, 2. John White (c), 5. Adam Thompson, 6. Luke Prosser, 7. David Worrall, 8. Micahel Timlin, 10. Barry Corr, 14. Kevan Hurst, 15. Cian Bolger, 18. Ryan Leonard, 19. Jack Payne. Substitutes: 21. Paul Smith, 12. Will Atkinson, 16. Conor Clifford, 17. Shaq Coulthirst, 20. Isaac Layne, 22. Gary Deegan, 34. Dan Matsuzaka
Hartlepool: 1. Scott Flinders (c), 2. Neil Austin, 5. Sam Collins, 7. Jonathon Franks, 8. Bradley Walker, 16. Nicky Featherstone, 21. Michael Duckworth, 24. Charlie Wyke, 26. Scott Harrison, 27. Sidney Schmeltz, 29. Matt Crooks. Substitutes: 3. Darren Holden, 4. Matthew Bates, 9. Marlon Harewood, 17. Scott Fenwick, 18. Lewis Hawkins, 19. Jordan Richards, 20. Dan Jones
ATT: 5,436