Southend United 2–1 Wealdstone: sixth place secured, now for Scunthorpe

That was more like it. After the maddening afternoon at Hartlepool, I wanted Southend to give us something reassuring before the play-offs. A 2–1 win over Wealdstone did the job, secured sixth place and sent more than 8,800 people home from Roots Hall with something to look forward to. But if I’m honest, I also came away feeling we should have won it by considerably more.

There was plenty to like: two excellent team goals, Charley Kendall harrying defenders as if the season were only beginning, James Morton picking a pass that opened up the whole pitch, and Jack Bridge and Leon Chambers-Parillon making things happen out wide. We also missed chances that would have spared us an unnecessarily nervy scoreline. That mixture of encouragement and mild exasperation probably sums up Southend rather well as the league season closes.

And what a strange afternoon it was. Wealdstone were our opponents here, and they will be again in the FA Trophy final at Wembley in three weeks. Before that, we have the rather small matter of a play-off eliminator at Scunthorpe on Tuesday. So this was about getting the three points, yes, but also about leaving the pitch believing we can handle what comes next.

The start we needed — and Morton’s pass deserves credit

Kevin Maher made seven changes from the side beaten 4–3 at Hartlepool. This time the response was immediate. Kendall set the tone by hunting down defenders and refusing to let Wealdstone pass out comfortably. Within a couple of minutes, that pressure helped create a chance for Chambers-Parillon. His first effort was blocked and Dante Baptiste made an important save from the follow-up.

The opening goal arrived in the 11th minute, and it was lovely football. Morton spotted Bridge advancing down the left and sent a superb ball into his path. Bridge did what he does so well when given room: he got behind the defence and put a proper delivery across the six-yard area. Keenan Appiah-Forson had followed the attack and was exactly where a midfielder should be, arriving to finish the move.

Bridge will quite rightly get the assist, but it was Morton’s awareness that made the opportunity. That kind of pass changes the shape of a game in a moment. Too often we can be patient with the ball without actually hurting anyone. Here, Morton saw the forward option early and had the confidence to use it. It was a reminder of what he can give this midfield — even if his work without the ball and occasional loss of possession still leave Maher a genuine choice to make.

Kendall’s goal was worth the admission alone

The second goal in the 34th minute was even better in its own way. Wealdstone had a corner; Southend turned it into a counterattack. Kendall helped move the ball on and Chambers-Parillon carried it forward with pace and purpose. There was no unnecessary touch, no delay while defenders recovered. He returned the pass to Kendall, who produced a composed finish for 2–0.

I love that sort of goal. It requires players to recognise the space, trust one another and make decisions quickly. Chambers-Parillon has raw pace that frightens opponents, but what impressed me most was when he released the ball. The final pass was every bit as important as the run. Kendall, meanwhile, made finishing look straightforward. He has a wonderful knack of finding an angle and giving himself the smallest window in which to score.

It was also Southend’s 100th goal of the season in all competitions. One hundred! I still find it a remarkable number when I think about where this club has been and the difficult days we have all endured. It is not a trophy, and nobody is going to put it on a banner, but it is evidence that there is serious attacking ability in this squad.

Two up, then an avoidable invitation back

The irritating part is that we had barely finished enjoying Kendall’s goal before Wealdstone were back in the match. In the 38th minute, Dylan Kadji worked the ball to Micah Obiero and he curled a brilliant shot beyond Collin Andeng-Ndi. The finish deserves credit; it was a fine strike from a player who gave us a glimpse of exactly why he will be dangerous when we meet again at Wembley.

That does not mean the defending escapes scrutiny. The speed of the restart and the room afforded to Obiero made life easier for him than it needed to be. Southend have to be sharper at those moments. At 2–0 we were in command, and suddenly it was 2–1 with more than a half to play. We have already seen at Hartlepool how quickly a spell of carelessness can turn a comfortable position into a difficult one.

I would not hang that goal solely around the goalkeeper’s neck. Collin returned to the side and made an excellent save later from Connor McAvoy’s fierce effort. Getting him back on the pitch and seeing him produce an important stop was encouraging before the knock-out matches. The responsibility for stopping a dangerous shot starts long before the ball reaches the six-yard box.

We could — and should — have settled it

The second half was not quite as lively as the first. Wealdstone enjoyed passages of possession, Southend were content to manage the game at times, and the heat seemed to take a little of the urgency out of it. Yet the chances to make it safe kept arriving.

Harry Cardwell had a particularly presentable one-on-one opportunity but could not beat Baptiste. He worked hard, occupied defenders and pressed from the front, all things that matter to the way Maher wants to play. Even so, a centre-forward will know he ought to take an opening like that. Sam Austin then had the sort of chance you almost start celebrating before the ball is struck. Bridge’s low delivery reached him close to goal, only for the finish to go over. A bobble may not have helped, but it was a painful miss.

Baptiste made another strong save from a Cardwell header, and Slavi Spasov, on for Kendall, sent a looping header onto the top of the net. Then Oli Coker almost supplied the spectacular moment with a free-kick that clipped the crossbar. For a few seconds, I thought that was flying into the top corner. Coker’s energy when he came on was another reminder that Maher has options. He can carry the ball, arrive in the right areas and strike a dead ball beautifully. The question is how to fit those qualities into a midfield that also needs discipline when we lose possession.

To their credit, Wealdstone never looked like a side simply turning up to complete the schedule. Obiero was a threat, Sam Adarkwa asked questions of our defenders and McAvoy’s effort needed that fine Andeng-Ndi save. They are a much stronger opponent than the league position alone might suggest. I will remember that when we get to Wembley.

The players giving Maher difficult decisions

If there was one pleasing problem to come out of today, it was the number of players making a case to be involved on Tuesday. Kendall was relentless while he was on. He finished his goal with real confidence and kept trying to win the ball back high up the pitch. I know Cardwell offers a different physical presence, and Andrew Dallas has also shown he can score important goals, but I would find it difficult to leave Kendall out on this evidence.

Chambers-Parillon deserves plenty of praise. His running carried real danger, and the assist for Kendall showed improving judgement. Bridge was central to our best attacking moments and played the ball for the opener. There is a trade-off when we commit players forward down that side — it can leave space to defend — but taking away that creativity would be a mistake in itself. The answer is to make sure the players behind them are ready when an attack breaks down.

Appiah-Forson scored and offered energy through midfield. I would still like him to be tidier with possession at times; the ability to arrive in the box is a real asset, but we need the same composure in the build-up. Morton, too, was not flawless, yet his range of passing gives us something different. Do we want that vision against Scunthorpe, or a more combative midfield presence? Do we start Coker to add attacking purpose? I do not envy Maher the decisions, although they are rather better problems than having nobody available.

It was good to see Nathan Ralph back on the pitch late on, and Andeng-Ndi’s return matters hugely. Harry Taylor, Gus Scott-Morriss and Dallas did not feature here, leaving us hoping they are available when needed. I am not going to speculate about who is carrying what injury. What matters is getting the strongest, best-balanced group onto the pitch for the games that cannot be rescued next weekend.

Sixth place, 81 points — and no room for complacency

Forest Green put five past Morecambe, so Southend had to win to keep sixth place in their own hands. We did, finishing level with Rovers on 81 points but ahead on goal difference. The reward is a trip to Scunthorpe, who ended their campaign with a home defeat to Eastleigh. That result will be noticed, but I would be very wary of thinking it makes our task straightforward. Knock-out football is a different test, especially away from home.

There is also the thought that Scunthorpe finished fifth, one point ahead of us. It is hard not to look back at the Hartlepool match and wonder how different the last week might have felt. We cannot change that now. We can take the good habits from today — the pressing, the quick decisions, the movement around the box — and make sure we do not repeat the moments of sloppiness.

A deserved win — but make our chances count on Tuesday

I enjoyed the football that gave us the two goals. Morton’s pass, Bridge’s delivery, Chambers-Parillon’s sprint and Kendall’s finish were exactly the kind of moves I want to see from Southend. There is enough attacking talent here to cause any side problems.

My frustration is the same as it has been in too many matches: we sometimes turn a game that should be comfortable into one where a single mistake could cost us. Cardwell and Austin both know they should have added to the score. Against a play-off opponent, those chances may not come again.

But there is perspective to keep, too. Sixth place. Eighty-one points. One hundred goals in all competitions. A Wembley final ahead of us, and the play-offs starting in three days. For supporters who have watched this club go through far worse than a missed chance, those are things to be proud of. This is not the time to be timid or to spend the week arguing that the season has already been a failure.

I want Southend to go to Scunthorpe on the front foot. Play with the same purpose that produced our goals today, defend every restart properly, and keep the belief when things get difficult. Then we will give ourselves a real chance.

The league season is done; the important part is only just beginning. See you at Scunthorpe. Up the Shrimpers.

The match details

Goals

Southend United: Appiah-Forson 11’, Kendall 34’
Wealdstone: Obiero 38’

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Cards

Southend: Morton (37), Gubbins (73)
Wealdstone: Adarkwa (86)

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Match Officials

Referee: James Durkin
Assistants: Joe Wright, Leigh Crowhurst
Fourth Official: Jonathon Wilks

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Attendance

8,803 (252 away)

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