Southend United failed to round off the season with some silverware as they crashed to non-league Ford United in the Thames-side Trophy final.

A scrambled second-half goal from midfielder Ben Willis wrapped up the competition for the Motormen last night, who picked up the trophy in front of their own fans as the final was staged at their Rush Green home.

Blues fielded a strong team against the Ryman Division Three champions - which included seven players with first team experience, four of whom had played against Hartlepool at the weekend - but the Third Division side had no answer to their hosts' physical approach.

"They were more up for the game and showed far more desire than us," admitted disappointed Shrimpers boss Alan Little.

"They battered us at times and won the physical battle by showing more commitment. They fully deserved to be victorious."

The Seasiders created the first opportunity of a poor opening period when impressive young right-back Garry Cross hit a shot from the edge of the box after seven minutes, which Ford keeper Jimmy Chapman saved comfortably.

However, Ford's continued long-ball bombardment of the Southend goal was beginning to expose cracks in the Seasiders' defence and the hosts took the lead after 21 minutes.

Midfielder Jimmy Prue launched a missile like throw into the Southend penalty box, which Blues failed to clear, before allowing prolific non-league hitman Jeff Wood to turn like lightning and smash the ball home.

Floodlight failure delayed the start of the second period, but Southend made sure they were switched on as they hit back by jumping on the long-ball bandwagon.

Just 60 seconds into the restart Blues keeper Mel Capleton launched a massive goal-kick into the Ford half which hapless defender Steve Munday failed to cut out on the edge of his box, allowing Neville Roach to skip through and lash the ball into the net.

However, this did not signal the beginning of a Southend revival as Ford continued to pump the ball forward at every opportunity and terrorised the Shrimpers' defence with Prue's long throw.

Wood hit the left angle of the Southend goal with a smart header after 54 minutes, just before Blues defender Chris Perkins went close with a similar effort at the other end.

However, Ford sealed their night of glory after 71 minutes when another mammoth throw from Prue was flicked on by Lee Parish into an open Southend goalmouth, where Willis reacted quickest and stabbed the ball home inside Capleton's right-post.

Southend: Capleton, Cross, Clarke, McDonald, Roget, Perkins, Johnson, Gooding, Abiodun, Roach, Hails. Subs not used: Hunter, Spittle, Beard.

Consolation prize - Neville Roach got Southend United's only goal in their 2-1 Thames-side Trophy defeat at Ford United

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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