Shrimpers’ revival delights Kev
SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher hailed his in-form side’s ‘new mentality’ following a win at Woking.
The Shrimpers let slip a two-goal lead before a backpost header from Harry Cardwell extended their unbeaten run to nine league games.
And Maher was full of praise for the Shrimpers after a fourth successive victory, and a continuation of a recent run that has reignited their season.
“I’m delighted with the character shown by everyone,” said Maher, whose side are now eight points outside the National League play-offs.
“The disappointing thing was we could’ve gone in further in front and killed the game off.
“But they got a goal back early in the second half and the momentum swings after that.
“We dug in to show great character and the change of mentality we have here now to get the winner.
“Hopefully we’ve instilled the right mentality now and we’ve shown here once again that we don’t give up.”
The Shrimpers appeared to be cruising to victory early on when goals from Jason Demetriou and Callum Powell put the visitors 2-0 up inside the opening 11 minutes.
However, two goals in quick succession from Inih Effiong brought Woking back level at the start of the second half before Cardwell’s header, 14 minutes from time, saw Blues make it four wins in a row.
Southend started brightly and opened the scoring in the eighth minute with Demetriou on target.
The defender reacted sharply after Woking goalkeeper Mark Smith somehow spilt a low shot from Powell and stroked a first time shot into the back of the net from close range for his third goal of the season.
Southend remained on top and doubled their lead just three minutes later with Powell scoring his first goal for the club.
The winger started the move by rolling the all into the path of Sam Dalby.
The Shrimpers striker saw his effort blocked in front of goal but Powell latched onto the rebound to send a powerful low shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net from eight yards out.
Woking hit back in the 47th minute with Effiong scoring with a deflected shot from 14 yards and, the 58th minute, the Cards were back level with Effiong again on target.
The striker held his nerve to fire home a confidently taken penalty after Southend defender Shaun Hobson had brought down Tarryn Allarakhia in the box.
However, the Shrimpers recovered from the double blow to land their own knock-out punch with Cardwell heading home a deep left wing cross from Tom Clifford to secure all three points for the visitors.
Noor Husin came close to adding a fourth late on when his effort bounced back off the inside of the right post but Southend held on to move up to 12th in the table as their revival from a slow start continues.
STAR MAN: Noor Husin (Southend)
ATT: 3,819
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Elliott Swallow