SOUTHEND United put five goals past Needham Market without reply in Monday night’s friendly at Bloomfields.
Southend were ahead after just four minutes when Wilko Risser, looking a shade offside, rounded Needham keeper Plummer and tapped the ball into an empty net.
The second goal also had a hint of controversy about it when Risser went down from a Pemberton challenge and Harry Crawford fired the resultant penalty 10 minutes before the break.
Needham started the second half the brighter but Luke Prosser bundled a James-Lewis corner home ten minutes into the half.
A great run and cross from Leonard was then converted close in by Vincent Pericard after 66 minutes. The goal of the match came 13 minutes later when George Smith exchanged passes with Risser and caressed the ball into the net from 10 yards. Wade and Johnson had late chances for the hosts but both failed to test Bentley.
Gorleston won 1-0 at Long Melford last night with a goal on 64 minutes from Bradley Hough.
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