Aspect Arena
Saturday 30th July
Pre-season friendly
Concord Rangers 2
Southend United 1
Concord Rangers came from behind to pick up their first win in four, as second half penalties from Danny Green and Ben Williamson helped the Beach Boys overcome a young Southend side 2-1.
The visitors started the brightest with Melvin Minter called into action early on. Jack Wood found Jon Benton in space on the edge of the box, and the 21-year-old fizzed a powerful drive goalwards that Minter had to parry away.
However, four minutes later Minter would be beaten. Henry Sandat slid the ball down the line for Jaden Crowhurst who drove the ball across the face of goal, and Max Fiddes was on hand to slide the ball home to give the Shrimpers the lead.
Concord went close to equalising on the stroke of half time when Green played an impressive through ball over the top to De-Sean Theobalds. However, Collin Andeng Ndi in the visiting goal made himself big and saved with his legs to ensure the Seasiders would go in at half time with a 1-0 lead.
The Beach Boys came out the second half a transformed side with Andeng Ndi forced into some early action. Nana Kyei’s dinked cross was met by Ben Search whose looping header was clawed away by the teenage keeper.
Ten minutes later Chris Search’s men were given a golden opportunity to equalise when Luke Reeve tripped Ricky Modeste in the 12-yard area, causing referee Rob Whitton with no choice but to point to the spot. Last season’s top scorer Danny Green stepped up and sent Andeng Ndi the wrong way for his second goal of pre-season to get the Beach Boys on level terms.
Not long later Concord were awarded yet another penalty following a sliding challenge by Benton on Alex Hernandez. The experienced Ben Williamson stepped up this time and the 33-year-old powered home his penalty to give the hosts the lead.
Despite a few late scares, Concord were able to hold onto their 2-1 lead, sealing back-to-back preseason victories over Southend – the Beach Boys also beat the Shrimpers in 2020 winning by three goals to nil.
A win for Concord also means it’s now six games without a win for Southend.
The Beach Boys play their final friendly at Bowers & Pitsea on Tuesday night before a trip to Hungerford Town on Saturday to start the National League South season.
By Nathan Williams