Source: FOOTYMAD
'Thanks to all the fans that travelled so far to support us': Raith Rovers 0 Southend United 0
The Shrimpers pre-season tour of Scotland concluded with a tame goalless draw against Raith Rovers on Sunday after both sides decided not to have a penalty shoot-out. It all finished so tamely in the end with a goalless draw at East Fife's Bayview Stadium for Shrimpers and Rovers Sunday afternoon after Blues boss Paul Sturrock made nine changes in his starting line-up from the team that lost 2-0 to Dundee only 24 hours before. Both teams subsequently opted against deciding the Gilvenback Hotel Football Festival third-place play-off with a penalty shootout, leaving Southend winless after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Dundee. Harry Crawford had a 20-yard shot saved by Raith goalkeeper David McGurn early on before Rohan Ricketts shot straight at McGurn after neatly controlling a deep left-wing cross from Luke Prosser. Crawford headed Ricketts' cross wide from six yards out when he should have done better, before substitute Neil Harris had the ball in the net only to discover he was offside. United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley had to be at his best to divert a low Stephen Reynolds shot around the post and the youngster also kept out a long-range drive from Iain Williamson. Raith's replacement keeper Ross Laidlaw saved well with his legs to thwart Harris, while back at the other end Bentley palmed away a stinging 20-yard shot from Brian Graham. Trialist right-back Ryan Leonard had Southend's last chance of the game but his header from Prosser's cross was tipped wide by Laidlaw. Phillips wrote: 'Thanks to all the Southend fans that travelled so far to support us-its much appreciated from me and the boys' While Blues boss Paul Sturrock told Echoman Chris Phillips that the 'tour had been a success, despite the indifferent results.' Southend United: Bentley, Leonard, Coughlan, Phillips, Prosser, Sawyer (Nesbitt 46) , N’Diaye (Woodyard 58), James-Lewis, Crawford, Asante (Harris 58), Ricketts (Hall 58) Subs not used: Gilbert, Grant, & Morris
