SOUTHEND United’s youth team coach Dave Huzzey was delighted to see the Shrimpers surge back to winning ways with a 5-0 victory against Peterborough.

Blues’ youngsters had not triumphed since the opening day of the season.

And Huzzey was pleased to get the season back on track with a comprehensive display.

“I’m delighted for the boys,” said Huzzey.

“They worked extremely hard in the week to try and stop the rot because it hadn’t been good enough.

“This week was a realisation of what we should be doing and where we should be, and the boys were superb.”

Blues had been beaten 4-1 in their previous two outings.

And Huzzey was therefore encouraged by an improved defensive performance.

“The most pleasing thing for me was that we didn’t concede as a lot of our work had been on defending,” said Huzzey.

“But it’s hugely important we build on this now.

“We won 5-0 on the opening day of the season and I think after seeing us win the first eight games last year they thought that it would just fall into place.

“But they’ve had a rude awakening where that’s concerned and we need to see how they react after this win now when we go to Northampton, who are a strong side this year.”

Southend went in front after just seven minutes when Sewa Marah swivelled to crash home a well-taken half-volley.

Blues doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Alex Clark cut in off the left-hand side to score and, moments later, Lewis Gard also netted after good approach play from Dru Yearwood.

Gard added another goal after rounding the goalkeeper in the 56th minute, before Damani Dias completed the scoring with an impressive effort from long range.

Southend United U18s: Seadon, Bwomono, Farah, Cuthbert, Joe Mackenzie, Pianim, Clark (Kinali 59), Yearwood, Marah (Curran 76), Gard (Clifford 65), Dias (Matthews 69).

Sub not used: Musselwhite.