Southend United stepped up their pre-season campaign with a routine victory at Conference League outfit Kettering Town.

The Shrimpers eased past the non-leaguers, thanks to goals from strikers Yemi Abiodun and Martin Carruthers, leaving Blues boss Alan Little happy with a good night's work.

"We never looked in any trouble against Kettering and it was quite easy for us in the end," said the Seasiders' chief.

"Kettering are a big, physical and direct side, but we soaked up everything they had to throw at us and grabbed a deserved win.

"It was a good exercise for us overall and allowed us to step on with our pre-season preparations.

"I was also happy to see the lads get a victory under their belts. I always say that fitness counts more importantly at this stage of the season, but wins breed confidence, which is something we need."

Little fielded his youngsters, plus trialists - Saffron Walden midfielder Scott Forbes and South African hitman Konye - during the first-half last night (Tuesday).

And they were a credit to the Southend boss as, driven on by new midfield signing David Lee, they comfortably coped with their hosts.

Former Spurs schemer Lee fired wide and then forced a good save out of home keeper Adam Sollitt in the first ten minutes, before creating Blues' opening goal.

Lee got away down the right-wing and sent a deep penetrating cross to the far-post, which Abiodun chested down smartly and rifled into the net from eight-yards after 19 minutes.

Kettering forward Brett McNamara nearly forged an equaliser on 31 minutes as he tried to lob a speculative chip over a poorly positioned Mel Capleton, but Blues' custodian recovered quickly to save himself embarrassment.

Capleton then did well to hold on to a firmly struck 20-yarder from Phil Brown, before Konye was fractionally off target with a long-range effort for Southend.

Little changed his line-up for the second period, sending on his first-team and, apart from an early drive from Kettering's Dale Watkins, they never looked in any trouble.

Southend forward Trevor Fitzpatrick flashed a couple of shots past the right-post, before the Seasiders doubled their advantage nine minutes from time.

New left-back Damon Searle made a storming run down the channel and found Fitzpatrick with a low cross, which the young Irishsman turned and hit into the path of Carruthers, who lashed home from six-yards.

Southend: Capleton (Prudhoe), Cross (Booty), Kerrigan (Searle), Perkins, (Roget), Johnson (Morley), McDonald (Tinkler; McSweeney), Lee (Maher), Edwards (Connelly), Abiodun (Carruthers), Forbes (Hunter; Houghton), Konye (Fitzpatrick). Att: 457.

Blues' next warm-up match takes place behind closed doors at Second Division Cambridge United's training ground tomorrow afternoon.

However, Southend fans can see their team in action again this Saturday at Billericay Town. Kick-off 3pm.

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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