Sturrock: 'Daniel looked competent when he came on and had no chance with the goal'
As soon as Shrimpers keeper Glenn Morris limped off in the 71st minute of the Essex boys 4-1 win over Torquay United at the weeekend, Blues boss Paul Sturrock's thought's must have turned to the task of asking the League for an emergency loan replacement with two away fixtures next week against Barnet on Tuesday and Macclesfield Town the following Saturday.
Then again, his replacement Daniel Bentley did all that was asked of him on his first team debut, only beaten by a clear deflected shot by Lee Mansell for a Gulls consolation.
Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I think Glenn's injury is a pretty bad one so it's certainly something for me to mull over. We can't carry on with just one goalkeeper so I will talk to the powers that be about maybe bringing someone in. However, Daniel looked competent when he came on and had no chance with the goal he let in.”
Indeed he didn't, and with the assurance of youth the teenager Bentley, who has been with the club three years inclusing spending this season on the bench as the Shrimpers back up keeper, is ready and waiting to face the Bees if Luggy gives him the nod.
Bentley said: “I have confidence in my ability and if the gaffer gives me the nod for Tuesday then I'll definitely be ready. I'm not sure of the extent of Glenn's injury and I hope it's nothing too serious. But I was delighted to play against Torquay and I would be again if I got to play at Barnet.”
Good stuff from the 6ft 2in shot stopper, who was well aware that the call was going to come at some time in the second half when he saw Morris throwing the ball out at every opportunity and not kicking the ball at all.
Bentley continued: “I've been on the bench a number of times and I've been getting to the point where I've really been wanting to play. I noticed Glenn was struggling with an injury and he wasn't taking his goal kicks so I warmed up for a little while and when I did get to go on it was a real buzz. I was nervous as well but it would be wrong if I wasn't. I wasn't worried or in doubt about what to do but it was a shame I let in a goal while I was on.”
Well, would you be happy to see Daniel line up at Underhill tuesday evening?
We shall wait and see if Luggy goes for more experience, which would be understandable in the circumstances, there are plenty of keepers looking for clubs out there, including of course the one we let go in the summer, Rhys Evans.
15-year-old Bentley becomes a Blues: www.southendunited.co.uk
Source: FOOTYMAD
