Southend United's Combination League fixture against Colchester United may have ended in defeat, but it certainly gave Blues some optimism for the future.

The Shrimpers fielded an under-21 side at Roots Hall on Wednesday afternoon, who put on a spirited performance against their Essex rivals' experienced line-up, which included £2 million rated frontman Lomano Tresor Lua Lua.

And Blues' babes' vigorous display, following recent lacklustre outings from some of the Seasiders' more senior players, was refreshing to watch.

However, for all their endeavour and skilful inventiveness, Southend's youngsters did have one thing in common with the Shrimpers' first-team, their inability to turn superior possession into goals.

Colchester, who were on the back-foot for long periods, didn't have the same problems however, and found the net once in each half, through defensive skipper Jack Wignall and midfielder Chris Keeble.

Although, Blues' director of youth Peter Trevivian, who had keenly observed his fledglings from the dug-out, wasn't downhearted by the final result.

"The average age of our team against Colchester was just 17-and-a-half, and I'd be surprised if any other Combination sides have fielded such a young line-up this term, if ever!," he said.

"I'm proud of these lads, they've acquitted themselves well against a strong and physical side and they can hold their heads up high.

"The final scoreline may indicate a defeat, but the performance from these youngsters is a definite victory for Southend United as it highlights the wealth of talent which is blossoming at Roots Hall."

Blues' team also included three trialists all under the age of 18 -- Crystal Palace keeper Adrian Jones, Portsmouth sweeper Gary Connelly and Finland youth international Rami Raivio.

And they started off like a house on fire with injury-plagued front-runner Yemi Abiodun skinning Colchester's defence down either flank to set up early opportunities

for his team-mates Garry Cross, Raivio and Danny Kerrigan, which weren't taken.

Spurs target Lua Lua headed wide of the left-hand post after taking advantage of a split second of confusion between Jones in the Southend goal and home defender Tom McDonald, before Blues midfielder Leon Hunter forced a save at the other end.

Jones pulled off a magnificent point-blank stop from Colchester striker KK Opara's well-struck drive on 31 minutes, but the visitors found the target on the counter-attack just before the break when Wignall hammered home Jamie Moralee's centre.

The U's doubled their advantage 13 minutes from time when Keeble netted from close range.

Southend: Jones, McSweeney (Simmons), Cross, Kerrigan, McDonald, Johnson, Hunter, Raivio (Window), Abiodun, Pitts, Connelly.

Eager battle - Southend's Danny Pitts (right) battles for the ball with Jack Wignall

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.