Kent Shrimper
Mike Reid
Eastwood stars as Southend enforcer
By Barbara Douglas
Southend United 4 Swansea City 2
NOT SINCE NOVEMBER 1992 has Roots Hall seen such a special debut. A certain Stanley Victor Collymore hit a double that day — but Fredy Eastwood went one better for Southend United on Saturday. Not only did the 19-year-old score a hat-trick on his professional debut, but he did it against what had been the meanest defence outside the Premiership. Swansea City had only conceded six in 12 league games, but it took just 7.7 seconds for Eastwood, who is on a month’s loan from Grays Athletic, to make his mark. “I’m over the moon. I could not have dreamed of a better debut,” he said.
Eastwood’s 37 goals last season for non-league Grays reminded Steve Tilson, the manager, of his ability and two excellent headers and a deflected shot has ensured his name will long be remembered in this part of Essex. “Getting a goal with just my second touch straight from kick-off was great, especially as we usually play the ball backwards,” he said. “Now I would love to extend my loan period, as I’m playing higher league.”
A week of speculation surrounding the signing of Terry Alderton, the stand-up comedian, came to nothing as Ryan Clarke came in on loan from Bristol Rovers after every goalkeeping option had been exhausted. Bart Griemink, the usual No 1, had a twisted knee, Darryl Flahavan and Mark Bentley were suspended and even Tesfaye Bramble, normally a striker, who went in goal for the first time when Flahavan was sent off for a hand-ball against Boston United was unavailable through injury.
But the feeling that the whole saga had been a clever publicity stunt was enhanced when Alderton took his usual seat in the East Stand.
They may not have had a comedy goalkeeper, but Duncan Jupp, the defender, did his best to bring a slice of slapstick humour to the game, almost handing Swansea an immediate equaliser in the first frantic minute. The visiting team did equalise when Paul Connor struck, but Spencer Prior headed Southend back in front from a corner.
Eastwood stars as Southend enforcer
By Barbara Douglas
Southend United 4 Swansea City 2
NOT SINCE NOVEMBER 1992 has Roots Hall seen such a special debut. A certain Stanley Victor Collymore hit a double that day — but Fredy Eastwood went one better for Southend United on Saturday. Not only did the 19-year-old score a hat-trick on his professional debut, but he did it against what had been the meanest defence outside the Premiership. Swansea City had only conceded six in 12 league games, but it took just 7.7 seconds for Eastwood, who is on a month’s loan from Grays Athletic, to make his mark. “I’m over the moon. I could not have dreamed of a better debut,” he said.
Eastwood’s 37 goals last season for non-league Grays reminded Steve Tilson, the manager, of his ability and two excellent headers and a deflected shot has ensured his name will long be remembered in this part of Essex. “Getting a goal with just my second touch straight from kick-off was great, especially as we usually play the ball backwards,” he said. “Now I would love to extend my loan period, as I’m playing higher league.”
A week of speculation surrounding the signing of Terry Alderton, the stand-up comedian, came to nothing as Ryan Clarke came in on loan from Bristol Rovers after every goalkeeping option had been exhausted. Bart Griemink, the usual No 1, had a twisted knee, Darryl Flahavan and Mark Bentley were suspended and even Tesfaye Bramble, normally a striker, who went in goal for the first time when Flahavan was sent off for a hand-ball against Boston United was unavailable through injury.
But the feeling that the whole saga had been a clever publicity stunt was enhanced when Alderton took his usual seat in the East Stand.
They may not have had a comedy goalkeeper, but Duncan Jupp, the defender, did his best to bring a slice of slapstick humour to the game, almost handing Swansea an immediate equaliser in the first frantic minute. The visiting team did equalise when Paul Connor struck, but Spencer Prior headed Southend back in front from a corner.
Eastwood stars as Southend enforcer
