Southend Sign Off in Style and Seal Sixth Place
A Fast Start and a Fired-Up Roots Hall
Southend United wrapped up the regular season with a composed, confident 2–1 win over Wealdstone at Roots Hall — a result that confirmed sixth place and set up a Play-Off Eliminator away at Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night.
The Shrimpers had already secured a top-seven finish, but with Forest Green breathing down their necks, Maher’s side still had a job to do. After seven changes from the midweek defeat at Hartlepool, the response was exactly what the fans wanted: energy, control, and a first half that felt like Southend United at full tilt.
Southend came out flying. Charley Kendall pressed relentlessly, forcing Wealdstone into mistakes and setting the tone. One of those turnovers fell to Leon Chambers-Parillon, whose acrobatic volley was brilliantly clawed away by Dante Baptiste.
Appiah-Forson Ignites Roots Hall
The breakthrough arrived on 11 minutes. James Morton threaded a perfect pass in behind for Jack Bridge, who squared across goal for Keenan Appiah-Forson to smash home at the back post. A proper North Bank moment and a deserved lead.
Southend were purring. Morton dictated everything, Parillon covered every blade of grass, and Cardwell bullied defenders for fun.
Kendall Hits Goal No. 100 of the Season
The second goal — Southend’s 100th of the season — came on 34 minutes and was pure counterattacking class. Parillon burst from deep, gliding past challenges before slipping Kendall through. One touch, open the body, pass it into the corner. Calm, clinical, and 2–0.
Wealdstone Hit Back
Wealdstone responded four minutes later when Micah Obiero bent a 25-yard effort that deceived Collin Andeng-Ndi and nestled into the South Stand net. A soft one to concede, but it didn’t knock Southend off their stride.
Just before the break, Baptiste gifted Kendall the ball, but the striker’s scuffed effort deflected wide. Southend went in ahead — deservedly — but knowing the job wasn’t done.
Second Half: Control, Missed Chances, and a Bit of Needle
The second half had a bit of edge, but Southend still created the better chances. Parillon released Cardwell with a gorgeous through ball, only for Baptiste to block. Moments later, Sam Austin clipped the crossbar from six yards after Bridge put it on a plate for him.
At the other end, Andeng-Ndi held a fierce McAvoy strike and Goodliffe produced a heroic block to deny Adarkwa. Then came the moment that sent Roots Hall into uproar: Spasov spun Woodman in the box and was wrestled down — nothing given — before Gubbins was booked seconds later for an identical incident on halfway.
Coker’s Free-Kick Tease
Oli Coker came on and nearly stole the show. His first touch was a curling free-kick that clipped the top of the bar. His second effort, minutes later, whipped just wide.
Wealdstone had a late spell of possession, but Southend defended with maturity and calmness. Goodliffe, as ever, was immense.
What It Means
A deserved win. A composed performance. A proper send-off into the play-offs. Southend finish sixth and now head to Scunthorpe on Tuesday night for a massive Play-Off Eliminator.
Line-Ups
Southend United
Andeng-Ndi; Austin, Goodliffe (c), Golding (Ralph 78), Gubbins; Bridge, Appiah-Forson (Mawene 90), Morton, Chambers-Parillon (Coker 79); Cardwell (Walker 78), Kendall (Spasov 65)
Substitutes: Coker, Massey, Mawene, Ralph, Spasov, Taylor, Walker
Wealdstone
Baptiste; McAvoy, Woodman (c), Waller; Adu-Poku, Hinchy, Wells-Morrison, Georgiou; Kadji (Olomola 78), Obiero; Adarkwa (Agyemang 88)
Substitutes: Agyemang, Clay, Hutchinson, Johnson, Nathaniel-George, Olomola, Tiensia
Goals
Southend United: Appiah-Forson 11’, Kendall 34’
Wealdstone: Obiero 38’
Cards
Southend: Morton (37), Gubbins (73)
Wealdstone: Adarkwa (86)
Match Officials
Referee: James Durkin
Assistants: Joe Wright, Leigh Crowhurst
Fourth Official: Jonathon Wilks
Attendance
8,803 (252 away)
League Table
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York City | 46 | 33 | 9 | 4 | 114 | 41 | 73 | 108 |
| Rochdale | 46 | 33 | 7 | 6 | 88 | 41 | 47 | 106 |
| Carlisle United | 46 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 87 | 51 | 36 | 95 |
| Boreham Wood | 46 | 27 | 9 | 10 | 95 | 58 | 37 | 90 |
| Scunthorpe United | 46 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 77 | 62 | 15 | 82 |
| Southend United | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 83 | 47 | 36 | 81 |
| Forest Green Rovers | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 82 | 52 | 30 | 81 |
Final Word
A proper Roots Hall win to finish the season. Sixth place secured. Scunthorpe away on Tuesday. The season starts again — and the Shrimpers are ready.
Play-Off Fixtures
Eliminators
Eliminator A: Scunthorpe United v Southend United — Tuesday 28 April (7:45pm)
Eliminator B: Boreham Wood v Forest Green Rovers — Wednesday 29 April (7:45pm)
Semi-Finals
Rochdale v Winner of Eliminator A
Carlisle United v Winner of Eliminator B