Rovers lose out 1-0 in close fought friendly.....

Rovers lost a close fought match against a newly formed Southend United Under 21 side at Burroughs Park. With the League Two playoff trophy doing the rounds before the game, with a host of the first team players doing a tour of the ground, Rovers were more concerned about getting 90 minutes under the belt, following Grays Athletic's friendly cancellation three days earlier.

Southend United manager Phil Brown heaped praise on a young Shrimpers side after the match. Winger Brandon Scott bagged the only goal of the game from the penalty spot at the start of the second half.

And Brown was pleased to see how the side, who were all aged under 21, matched up against their Ryman Division One North hosts. “It was a man’s game for the young boys and I thought they acquitted themselves really well,” said Brown. "The goal was a bit of a gift and I didn’t see why it was a penalty but to see it out like they did was very professional. One or two of these young lads are pushing for a place in the first team squad now."

“There are opportunities for them at the moment too because we only have 16 outfield players signed up. The only downside for me was that three or four of them went down with cramp. That disappoints me but playing against men on a big pitch you can maybe understand it.”

Rovers more than matched the Shrimpers during the first half and saw an early effort ruled out for a for a foul on goalkeeper Josh Bexon before a header slammed against the crossbar.

After the break, John Bradley saw a 25 yard shop tipped over by Bexon who then also did well to palm away a powerful header from Billy Radley. But the Shrimpers soon hit back to score the only goal of the game, with Scott on target from the spot.

The penalty was awarded by referee Garry Maskell after Stuart Hepburn had handled the ball in the box and Scott sent his 12 yard shot into the left hand side of the goal, under the body of goalkeeper Adam Seal.

The effort was enough to secure victory for the Shrimpers but only after a well timed late challenge from centre-back Sonny Coutts to stop Eljay Worrell in his tracks.

Match Report by Chris Phillips (The Echo)