Southend United produced a dominant display under the lights at Roots Hall as they swept aside Eastleigh 4–1 to continue their strong run of form.
Charley Kendall was the standout performer, netting twice, as the Shrimpers recorded a third consecutive home win and extended their unbeaten streak to five matches in all competitions.
First Half
The visitors threatened early on, forcing Collin Andeng Ndi into sharp action with a smart double save inside the opening ten minutes. That early scare proved to be Eastleigh’s best moment of the half.
Southend gradually took control and broke the deadlock midway through the opening period. Leon Parillon drove into the box and delivered from the byline, with Kendall reacting quickest to slide the ball home from close range and open the scoring.
Blues pushed for a second before the break. Gus Scott-Morriss went close at the back post, while Andrew Dallas was twice denied by goalkeeper Nick Townsend, once from open play and once after finishing an offside move. Despite the pressure, Southend went in at the interval with a deserved 1–0 advantage.
Second Half
The Shrimpers came out flying after the restart and quickly put daylight between themselves and the visitors. Fine build-up play saw the ball worked to Scott-Morriss, who unleashed a stunning 25-yard strike that left Townsend with no chance.
Moments later, Kendall struck again. A drilled cross from Dallas caused chaos in the Eastleigh area, and with the goalkeeper unable to gather, Kendall was left with a simple finish to make it 3–0.
Eastleigh pulled a goal back ten minutes from time when a low cross from a short corner deflected into the net, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly ended.
Substitute Josh Walker added a fourth late on, stooping to head home from close range after a cross came back off the post, rounding off a convincing night’s work for the home side.
Full-Time
Southend United 4–1 Eastleigh
The result maintains Southend’s excellent momentum at Roots Hall and sets them up well ahead of a demanding run of away fixtures, starting with a trip to Boston United this weekend.
Goals:
Southend United – Kendall (24’, 54’), Scott-Morriss (49’), Walker (89’)
Eastleigh – Own Goal (80’)
Attendance: 7,050