'To bring that many fans to Scotland is fantastic'

17 July 2011 00:26
Will plaplay Raith Rovers at East Fife. The Shrimpers suffered their first defeat of their pre-season schedule as they went down to the Dark Blues north of the border. Luggy will certainly not be repeating the 'Scumdee' coment now after the 2-0 defeat at the hands of his old rivals at East Fife's Bayview stadium Saturday afternoon! The loss, in what was their opening match of the 'Gilvenback Hotel Football Festival', (blimey, not sure where that came from), means the Shrimpers will now face Raith Rovers in Sunday's third-place play-off. Southend were undone by an early strike from winger Graham Webster and a last-minute effort from substitute Graham Bayne, an error from Clohessy and Ricketts here, but no excuses, this was not a bad Shrimpers side that gives a good idea on Luggy's starting eleven for the new season presuming last season's top scorer Barry Corr and his boy Blair remain unfit. (We got it right about Hall and Johnson starting.) There was a decent shout for a penalty in the opening half and the old tactic of Bilel Mohsni pushed up front was tried but didn't work out this time around, even so, striker Neil Harris felt we were unlucky. Harris told www.echo-news.co.uk: “I thought we were the better team but the difference was Dundee took their chances when they came along and we didn’t. They probably only had two or three shots and scored twice while we had a few opportunities and took none of them. Alassane (N’Diaye) had one cleared off the line, Bilel (Mohsni) hit the post and their keeper also made a couple of good saves so although we’re disappointed to lose and not be in the final tomorrow there are still positives to take from the game.” And as a former Millwall player he knows about loyal support, so with over 100 of the faithful making the trip past Hadrian's Wall Bomber appreciated the singing more than most! Harris said: “I’ve been lucky to grow up and be in among these fans all my life but to bring that many to Scotland is fantastic. It was unexpected but very much appreciated by all the lads. We would like to say a huge thank you and hope to give them something more to cheer about tomorrow.” Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Mohsni, Barker, Gilbert (James-Lewis 81), Grant, N’Diaye (Leonard 72), Sawyer (Ricketts 46), Hall, Harris, Johnson (Crawford 60) Subs not used: Bentley, Coughlan & Prosser

Source: FOOTYMAD