Lowestoft Town U19's were at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium today for the first time in 2025. The group has remained unbeaten throughout this campaign at home, seeing some impressive wins in the Youth Cup and National Alliance league. Today's visitors were certainly going to put that to the test as division leaders Southend United visited Suffolk. Having just came out of Category 4 academy status, the Shrimpers have had a near-immaculate first half of the season. The squad has played eleven games in all competitions so far, winning nine, drawing one, and losing one. Three changes were made to today's line-up with Freddie Simmons, Ashton Blogg, and Christian Guymer returning to the starting eleven.
Lowestoft got the proceedings underway on a very difficult pitch that had the first team game on it less than 24 hours ago. The early moments saw both teams battling and working hard to earn the right and try and take control. Southend are known for their long spells in possession with the Young Blues having to concede time on the ball to ensure they were staying compact and organised. The Lowestoft team were doing a good job at frustrating their opponent and when given the chance, counter attacking and pushing to get the first goal. Thirty minutes went by with no real threat on either goal with some half chances for both teams. As the half went on, the first big chance of the game fell to the Trawlerboys. Ben Atkinson done some good work to find Coby Lee who managed to wriggle away from a couple of Southend defenders before putting his shot inches wide of the post. This gave the home side confidence which led to another excellent opportunity to take the lead a few minutes later. After some threatening set-plays, Atkinson delivered a superb cross that Blogg headed low and seemed destined to break the deadlock. Unfortunately for the Blues, the Southend goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save to parry the ball out and away from danger. HALF-TIME 0-0. A hard fought half with two good sides battling and giving everything they can to gain the first goal. Although The Shrimpers had large spells of possession, they created very little openings, with the Lowestoft defense standing firm. The best chances of the half had fell to the home side, with that giving them belief they can go and win this game in the second half.T
he second half began at the Fosters Solicitors Community Stadium with similar action being on show. The away side looked to be pushing their intensity on the ball and try to tire the home side out. The Trawlerboys remained disciplined and stuck to their jobs superbly, allowing Southend very little success. A big moment in the game came just after the hour mark, when Samuel Howell done excellently to steal the ball from the visitors and slide Luca Upton through on goal who found the net. Unfortunately, the assistant had raised his flag and the goal was disallowed due to a very close offside call. Although disappointed they weren't ahead, this again gave the Blues further belief they could get the first goal. On the 75 minute mark, the deadlock was finally broken. Some good work by Christian Guymer and Coby Lee allowed Samuel Howell an opportunity to win a midfield contest and set Luca Upton once again through on goal. The attacker struck the ball hard and low through the legs of the Southend goalkeeper, giving the Trawlerboys a one-nil advantage. It was nothing short of what the home side deserved after soaking up large spells of Southend possession before looking to threaten and create opportunities in transition. The away side made changes and continued to try and find a way of breaking the resolute Lowestoft defense. As the game entered injury time, a loose backpass allowed Corbyn Dixon an opportunity to seal the victory for Lowestoft.
The attacker chased the ball down and showed outstanding composure to take the final defender and goalkeeper on before slotting the ball into an empty net. Jubilant scenes erupted with the group showing how much dedication and effort they had put into this contest. FULL TIME 2-0.
Lowestoft Town U19's seal a big win in their league campaign, beating leaders Southend United by two goals to nil. The win takes the Blues up to third and now only two points off the top with nine games to go. An outstanding team display that everyone involved in the U19 group and Access Sport College should take large credit for. Jack Trowbridge was faultless today in goal and put in a display that deserved a clean sheet. He was supported by a back four that answered every Southend question today and never looked like conceding. The midfield unit provided an abundance of physicality and organisation along with our attacking players who although had to manage large spells in their own half, still carried a constant threat going forward. The substitutes all provided a positive impact and continued the fine work that the replaced player had completed. MOTM today was awarded to Christian Guymer for his outstanding commitment to defending and spirit shown to secure the clean sheet. The squad will review the performance later in the week before looking towards next weeks away clash with Kings Lynn Town.
Official club match report here
