SHRIMPERS BRIDGING THE GAP TO PLAY-OFFS
EASTLEIGH 0 SOUTHEND UTD 1 Bridge 53 (pen)
A SECOND HALF penalty from Jack Bridge secured Southend United a well-deserved win at Eastleigh.
The Shrimpers wasted a number of clean cut chances to secure a more convincing victory.
But Southend manager Kevin Maher stressed picking up three points was all that mattered.
“First and foremost to come away from home and win the game is the most important thing and to get a clean sheet was brilliant as well,” said Maher.
“I didn’t feel like they opened us up or that we were under massive pressure for long periods and I’m delighted with the win.”
However, Maher had earlier been fearing it could be a frustrating afternoon for his side after new signing Marcus Dackers, Wes Fonguck and Henry Sandat all wasted clear cut chances to score in the opening 45 minutes.
Southend started with intent with Noor Husin seeing an early long range effort tipped wide of the left post by Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell before the returning Dackers missed a huge chance to put the Shrimpers in front, going clean through on goal after latching onto a poor backpass, but with just Eastleigh goalkeeper McDonnell left to beat, Dackers fired a right-footed shot wide of the right post.
In reply, Spitfires top scorer Paul McCallum sent an acrobatic overhead kick wide of the left post before the Shrimpers wasted another excellent chance to score as Fonguck burst into the left hand side of the penalty area only to send his shot wide of the right post from six yards.
But Southend finally made their pressure tell in the 53rd minute when Sandat was brought down in the area and referee James Westgate immediately pointed to the spot.
Bridge made the most of the opportunity as he sent his sixth goal of the season into the centre of the net.
Eastleigh never looked like getting back into the game and failed to register a single shot on target.