Southend United produced a commanding performance at Roots Hall on Saturday, seeing off ten-man FC Halifax Town 3-0 to return to winning form in the National League.
The Shrimpers went into the match eager to respond after their midweek defeat at Wealdstone, and they wasted little time in taking control of proceedings. From the opening whistle, Southend looked the more composed side, creating a string of chances but initially finding Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson in resilient form.
The breakthrough arrived just after the half-hour mark. Gus Scott-Morriss delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post, where Barnsley loanee Andrew Dallas stooped low to nod the ball home for his first goal at Roots Hall. It was Dallas’ third strike in as many games and gave the home supporters a deserved lift.
Southend pressed for a second before the interval, with Scott-Morriss testing Johnson again in stoppage time, but the visitors clung on to keep the deficit at one goal at the break.
The Shaymen’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a significant blow midway through the second half. Defender Adam Adetoro, already on a booking, mistimed a challenge on Charley Kendall and was shown a second yellow card, reducing Halifax to ten men with just over 20 minutes to play.
Scenting an opportunity, the Blues piled on the pressure. Nathan Ralph came close with a volley that clipped the bar, while Scott-Morriss forced Johnson into another sharp save from a free-kick. At the other end, Halifax had a rare chance to level through Owen Devonport, who struck the woodwork from close range after Collin Andeng Ndi had parried Will Harris’ effort.
That near miss proved costly. With the game deep into stoppage time, Sam Austin floated a teasing cross into the area and Scott-Morriss, who had been lively all afternoon, met it with a downward header to double Southend’s advantage.
The scoring was completed even later, in the 15th minute of added time, when substitute Oli Coker swung in a cross that Johnson failed to deal with, allowing Ben Goodliffe to rise above the Halifax defence and head home his first goal of the season.
The victory means Southend have now beaten Halifax in all five of their National League meetings at Roots Hall, scoring three times on each occasion.
Looking Ahead
The result leaves Blues full of confidence heading into next weekend’s fixture, when Boston United visit Essex under the management of former Southend boss Graham Coughlan.
Line-ups
Southend United: Andeng Ndi, Taylor, Goodliffe, Ralph, Scott-Morriss, Appiah-Forson, Husin (Miley 61’), Austin (Coker 92’), Boyes (Bridge 84’), Kendall (Parillon 92’), Dallas (Hopper 84’).
Subs not used: Hayes, Gubbins.
FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Hmami, Mills, Adetoro, Latty-Fairweather (Capello 82’), Cooke (Tarima 71’), C. Johnson, Turner-Cooke (Jenkins 82’), Hugill (Kawa 68’), Harris (Bray 82’), Devonport.
Subs not used: Ford, Griffin.
Attendance: 8,093 (100 away fans)
Referee: Paul Johnson
Southend now turn their focus to another home fixture next weekend when Boston United, led by former Roots Hall favourite Graham Coughlan, make the trip to Essex.