Southend United 0-0 Wealdstone (Shrimpers win 4-2 on pens): Gus Scott-Morriss fires winner after Collin Andeng-Ndi heroics

By Jon Couch

Southend United held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to lift the Isuzu FA Trophy at Wembley after an entertaining goalless draw.

Fans’ favourite Gus Scott-Morriss scored the winning spot-kick after man-of-the-match Collin Andeng-Ndi had kept out efforts from Wealdstone substitutes Olufela Olomola and Jack Hinchy.

Both Harry Cardwell and Keenan Appiah-Forson hit the woodwork for Southend in the 90 minutes but Wealdstone arguably carved out more opportunities and went close through Nathan Tshikuna and Anthony Georgiou.

But the Kevin Maher’s Shrimpers delivered in the shoot-out in front of their 22,000 travelling fans.

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The road to Wembley 

Four of Southend United’s five Trophy ties on route to Wembley came away from Roots Hall with their 4-0 third-round trouncing of Truro City the exception.

That kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win at Bath City setting up a fifth-round tie at Chatham Town with Gus Scott-Morriss’ goal midway through the second half enough to see the Shrimpers through.

Another nervy encounter ensued in the quarter-final with Southend coming away with a hard-fought 2-1 win at National League South Horsham, setting up a semi-final clash with another Step 2 side, Southport, with two goals from Charley Kendall, either side of a Jack Bridge effort, sealing a 3-1 win.

Next up came an excellent 3-0 win at Robbie Savage’s Forest Green Rovers, leading to a quarter-final clash at Kidderminster Harriers which the Stones edged 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Aggborough.

And Obiero was at it again the semi-final – even later this time – with his stoppage-time winner booking the Stones’ Wembley spot at the expense of dogged National League North side Marine.

Match action

Southend made all the early running and went within inches of opening the scoring on six minutes when Gus Scott-Morriss played in Harry Cardwell down the right channel and his cross-shot forced a fine save from keeper Dante Baptiste, tipping it onto the far post – Wealdstone clearing to safety.

Wealdstone, though, recovered from their slow start with the pace and trickery of their front three causing the Southend defence problems. Dom Hutchinson’s teasing cross led to the first corner of the game which led to Nathan Tshikuna testing the reflexes of Collin Andeng-Ndi with a wicked delivery which the Southend keeper had to palm away.

Scott-Morriss had the ball in the net from a Southend corner on 26 minutes but Southend celebrations were halted by referee Farai Hallam blowing up for a foul on keeper Baptiste.

Wealdstone went close on 36 minutes when Micah Obiero clipped a shot high and wide after twisting and turning Nathan Ralph in the box while another jinking run at the other end resulting in Leon Parillon being presented with a chance 20 yards out but he blazed wildly over the top.

Wealdstone, though, finished the half on top with Georgiou forcing a brilliant one-handed save from Andeng Ndi at his near post, while the resulting corner led to a goalmouth scramble with Southend having to frantically clear the lines.

Second half

Wealdstone boss Gary Waddock was forced into a change at half-time, losing captain Jack Cook to injury but it was they who looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

On 58 minutes, Nathan Tshikuna forced Andeng-Ndi into a diving stop with a shot on the turn after being played in by Dylan Kadji.

Substitute Keenan Appiah-Forson gave Southend the explosion they needed and the Shrimpers almost carved out an opening on 72 minutes when a smart team move from right to left found Jack Bridge in space but a poor touch let him down and the chance was gone.

Southend hit the woodwork again on 77 minutes – Appiah-Forson’s cross-cum-shot clipping the top of the crossbar with Deon Woodman clearing the danger at the far post to deny a poised Andy Dallas.

Southend were indebted to brave defending by Joe Gubbins in dispossessing Tshikuna when about to pull the trigger with the resulting corner causing panic in the area when Andeng-Ndi’s unorthodox clearance fell to Georgiou, who blasted high over the bar from 15 yards.

Substitute Jack Hinchy tested Andeng-Ndi with a curling effort that the flamboyant Southend keeper palmed away, sparking a frantic finale, but ultimately the defences stood firm.

Penalties

In front of the Southend fans, it was Jack Bridge who took the first penalty, rifling home into the roof of the net before Olufela Olomola saw his penalty saved by Andeng-Ndi.

Joe Gubbins put Southend 2-0 up with an excellent penalty into the bottom right corner and Andeng-Ndi was at it again, saving from Jack Hinchy to put Southend on the verge.

Wealdstone, though, were handed a lifeline when Baptiste kept out  Charley Kendall’s penalty and Obiero halved the deficit.

Harry Boyes eased the tension by sending Baptiste the wrong way for 3-1 before Connor McAvoy kept Wealdstone in it and in the end it was left to Scott-Morriss to rifle home the winning kick to the delight of their 23,000 fans behind the goal.

Teams and more

Southend United (5-3-2): Andeng-Ndi; Scott-Morriss, Goodliffe (Gubbins 59), Golding, Ralph, Bridge; Parillon (Boyes 81), Morton, Coker (Appiah-Forson 59); Dallas (Hopper 81), Cardwell (Kendall 72). Subs not used: Austin, Miley

Wealdstone (3-4-3): Baptiste; Cook (Tiensia 46), Woodman, McAvoy; Hutchinson (Adu-Poku 77), Kadji (Olomola 90+2), Wells-Morrison, Georgiou (Mussa 90); Obiero, Adarkwa (Hinchy 78), Tshikuna. Subs not used: Johnson, Nathaniel-George

Referee: Farai Hallam 

Attendance: 43,306

Star Man: Collin Andeng-Ndi (Southend United)

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