FC Halifax Town were defeated 3-0 at Southend United in the Vanarama National League thanks to goals from Henry Sandat and two from Gus Scott-Morriss.
Town boss Chris Millington made one change from New Years Day with Aaron Cosgrave in for Tylor Golden.
However, the game didn’t start well for the Shaymen with the home side ahead on 3 minutes. A long ball over the top was not dealt with and Henry Sandat found himself one on one with Sam Johnson to fire into an empty net.
A cross from Noor Husin found Brooklyn Kabolongo in the box but he couldn’t get a connection and this time it was easy for Johnson
The home side continued to create opportunities; Wes Fonguck had a chance from the left-hand side but his effort was straight at Johnson as they looked for a second goal.
Town looked to find an equaliser Jamie Cooke on the right-hand side looked to get into the box with some good play, but the return was too close to goalkeeper Collin Andeng-Ndi
A Cross from right, Sandat in space headed over from close range in 19th minute to deny him a second goal of the game
Town got into a good position, but Cosgrave couldn’t connect with the ball and Southend were able clear the danger.
Good play down the left-hand side, Stott found Cappello. He did well by the by-line and found Florent Hoti, but his effort was wide of the target.
Thompson-Sommers got forward for the Shaymen, he looked to get a shot in and it fell to Jamie Cooke but his shot was not troubling Andeng-Ndi
Oluwabori won Town a corner I the 30th minute. Hoti looked for Stott, but the Southend defence cleared.
The home side wanted a penalty for handball but play continued, Cappello found Oluwabori, and he fired a shot narrowly over the bar.
Into the second half, Cappello down the left, pull back but the home defence was able to clear but Town were close to an equaliser, Cooke forced the goalkeeper into a fine save and out for a corner.
Oluwabori cut inside from the left-hand side, forced a good save from the goalkeeper and he was able to keep hold of it before Cosgrave could get onto the rebound.
A cross from the left met by Gus Scott-Morriss but his effort on the turn was just wide of the target.
The home side were denied a second goal as Adam Senior blocked a Kabongolo effort on the line with just over 15 minutes remaining.
A foul on Cooke at the edge of the box by Southend captain Nathan Ralph gave the Shaymen a freekick in a dangerous position. Jamie Stott’s low effort was blocked by the Southend defence.
Southend made sure of the points on 79 minutes. Ralph did well and pulled the ball back and a first time shot from Scott-Morriss gave Johnson no chance.
Jack Bridge cross was headed by Scott-Morriss for his second goal of the game past Johnson on 85 minutes to make it 3-0
A Town corner from Luke Summerfield came off Jordan Keane for a goal kick which summed up a miserable afternoon for Chris Millington’s side.
The Shaymen will face Solihull Moors at the Shay Stadium on Tuesday 16th January, 7.45pm kickoff
Southend United:
30 Collin Andeng Ndi, 2 Gus Scott-Morriss, 3 Nathan Ralph ©, 6 Ollie Kensdale, 7 Jack Bridge (24 Jason Demetriou 87), 8 Noor Husin, 16 Harry Taylor, 18 Wesley Fonguck, 19 Henry Sandat (14 Jack Wood 89), 22 Brooklyn Kabongolo, 23 James Morton (17 Cavanagh Miley 72)
Subs: 20 Mauro Vilhete
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson © 6 Jamie Stott, 5 Adam Senior, 16 Jordan Keane, 8 Jack Hunter (4 Luke Summerfield 84), 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers, 7 Angelo Cappello, 19 Aaron Cosgrave (20 Jimiel Chikukwa 90), 18 Florent Hoti (9 Rob Harker 72), 22 Andrew Oluwabori, 10 Jamie Cooke
Subs 21 Tom Wilson, 30 Festus Arthur
Referee: Paul Johnson
Goals: Sandat 3, Scott-Morriss 79, 85
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Attendance 6772 (69 away)
Southend United 3 FC Halifax Town 0
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