SOUTHEND UTD.......1

COLCHESTER UTD...2

Southend United fans had to endure more bitter disappointment yesterday afternoon as Blues came out second best against arch rivals Colchester United in a heated conclusion to Roots Hall's weekend tournament.

First-half goals from David Gregory and Jamie Moralee handed the U's victory in the competition's overall final - bringing an end to a two day feast of football, which was watched by nearly 4,000 people and also featured Peterborough United and Watford.

However, Shrimpers boss Alan Little refused to panic after seeing his men throw away a golden opportunity to re-establish themselves as the county's top football team.

"I know our supporters will be gutted to have lost at home to Colchester in the final of our own tournament, but we must look at the positive side of this weekend's workout," he said.

"There wasn't much to choose between the two teams in this match, although I must admit we got it wrong tactically in the first period, but we failed to cash in on superior possession during the second-half.

"We lacked the cutting edge we've had in our previous warm-up games, but we've still got two weeks to go before the season begins and I'll make sure we're ready.

"Although, I still feel we need to bring in a couple of new players to make us a powerful Third Division force this year."

Colchester, who had made the final of this four team tournament with a 4-0 triumph over a weak Watford team on Saturday, took the lead after 19 minutes of this niggly affair.

U's forward David Gregory opened the scoring when he volleyed home Karl Duguid's looping cross in acrobatic style and within 60 seconds the Second Division outfit doubled their advantage.

Fellow striker Jamie Moralee, who failed a trial at Roots Hall a few seasons ago, fired hard and low past Southend keeper Martyn Margetson after cutting inside shell-shocked Blues skipper Simon Coleman on the edge of the box.

The Seasiders hit back after 35 minutes when Southend's most creative performer, winger Scott Houghton, thundered midfielder Mark Beard's right-wing cross into the Colchester net from 18 yards.

However, South-end could not conjure up a second-half equaliser - despite defender Leo Roget and substitute forward Yemi Abiodun's best efforts to get on the scoresheet - which left new frontman Neil Tolson a frustrated spectator and allowed Colchester to hold on and lift the tournament's cup.

Blues had reached the final with a penalty shoot-out win over fellow Third Division side Peterborough on Saturday, who won the third-place play-off 2-1 against Premier League Watford.

In normal time Posh went ahead with an early Steve Castle free-kick, before Roget headed home on the stroke of half-time.

Neither team could break the stalemate during the second period and Southend went on to win 3-0 on penalties, thanks to successful spot-kicks from Rob Newman, Gordon Connelly and David Morley.

Both Southend's weekend line-ups included 20-year-old midfield trialist from Bradford City David Donaldson.

Injury forced Southend United striker Trevor Fitzpatrick out of the Republic of Ireland's quest to make tonight's European under-18 Championships final in Sweden.

Fitzpatrick, who scored a header in his country's 3-3 draw with Georgia, was missing in the defeat against Italy. Ireland, thoug, beat Greece 1-0 in yesterday's third place play-off.

Closing in - Southend skipper Simon Coleman (left) looks on as Leo Roget challenges a Colchester rival

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.