SOUTHEND United beat MK Dons 3-2 in a pulsating FA Youth Cup clash at Roots Hall tonight.
Goals from Max Fiddes, Henry Sandat and Omari Williams saw the Shrimpers win an entertaining second round clash And the young Shrimpers will now host Middlesbrough in the third round.
The match started brightly with Dons’ Edwin Daffern delivering a left wing cross which was just missed by a sliding Albert Wood at the far post before the Shrimpers hit back with Omari Williams seeing a long range shot parried wide of the left post by Dons goalkeeper Ronnie Sandford.
But Blues broke the deadlock in fine fashion in the 25th minute when Beau MacDonald rolled the ball into the path of Henry Sandat who teed up Mitchell Fallows down the left hand side.
Fallows’ deep cross then found Fiddes at the far post who sent a rising header into the top right hand corner of the net from close range.
However, the Shrimpers’ lead was to be shortlived as, just two minutes later, the visitors drew back level in spectacular fashion as Joel Anker scored with a brilliant 25 yard free-kick which flew into the top right hand corner of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Callum Tripp then wasted a good chance to put Dons in front as he raced clean through on goal before being denied by onrushing Blues goalkeeper Fin Purcell.
But, after surviving the scare, the Shrimpers regained the lead in the 35th minute when a left wing free-kick from Williams was fumbled by Sandford, enabling Sandat to tap the ball into the North Bank net from virtually on the goal-line.
Dons hit back and wasted a golden opportunity to draw back level in the 43rd minute when Ibrahim Kamara brought down Phoenix Scholtz in the area and referee Morgan Conn immediately pointed to the spot.
But Thomas Blennerhasset saw his effort bounce back off the foot of the right post.
Rallied by the missed penalty, the Shrimpers immediately sprung to the other end of the field and made it 3-1 just before the break as Sandat nipped in ahead of Sandford before rolling the ball back to Williams who swept home a low, left footed shot from just inside the penalty area.
But Dons got back into the game just seconds after the break when a poor header Blues defender Habib Bolarinwa led to Anker being played into the right hand side of the penalty area before he fired a low, right footed shot into the left hand side of the goal.
Dons remained on top and immediately wasted a huge chance to draw back level when an unmarked Blennerhasset somehow headed Jediah Bombo’s right wing cross wide of the target from close range when an equaliser seemed certain.
Moments later, the visitors came even closer to scoring when Daffern saw his low shot bounce back off the inside of the right post.
Blues replied and wasted a good chance of their own in the 58th minute when a poor Dons pass out from the back saw Fiddes presented with an excellent opportunity in front of goal – only for his effort to be pushed over by Sandford.
Shrimpers midfielder Mo Amir then slammed a 20 yard shot against the crossbar before Williams sent an effort, from a similar distance, straight at Sandford.
But Dons pushed for a late leveller and it should have arrived in the 89th minute when the hat-trick hunting Anker somehow volleyed the ball wide of a gaping goal from eight yards.
And that proved to be their final opportunity as the Shrimpers stood strong to make it to the third round.
Southend United: Purcell, Kamara (Bragg 73), Fallows, Bland, Droney, Bolarinwa, Amir, MacDonald (Shehu 85), Sandat (Hatcliff 85), Fiddes, Williams.
Subs not used: Cerullo, Poxon, Bangs & Ebondo
READ MORE
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here