Southend United were held to a 3-3 draw by Woking in a lively pre-season friendly. The Blues, who finished sixth in the National League last season with 81 points, took the lead through a Harry Cardwell penalty but were pegged back in a match featuring numerous chances.
This week's fixture saw manager Kevin Maher make six changes to his starting eleven. Josh Daley-Campbell, Jake Hartigan, Ollie Goodliffe, Lewys Twamley, Dan Cox, and Tope Popoola all came into the side as the Blues continue their preparations for the new campaign.
The reshuffled side created the first clear opportunity. From a Jake Hartigan corner, defender Ollie Goodliffe rose well but could only direct his header wide of the target when he seemed well placed to score. Soon after, forward Lewys Twamley was presented with a huge chance to open the scoring. He found himself clean through on the Woking goal but could not convert, wasting the opportunity.
Southend did take the lead before the interval. Harry Cardwell stepped up to convert a penalty, putting the Blues in front. Both Cardwell and defender Jack Coker then had further big chances to extend the advantage before the half-time whistle blew, but they were unable to take them.
Maher introduced several substitutions as the match progressed. At the break, Cardwell was replaced by Henry Kendall. Later, Noah Kamara and Jason Colclough came on for Lewys Twamley and Tope Popoola. The final changes saw Frankie Oldaker and Harry Taylor take the places of Jake Hartigan and Josh Daley-Campbell.
Despite the lead, Woking fought back to level the score. Padraig O'Brien found the net for the home side, ensuring the points were shared in this preparatory encounter. The Blues' attacking prowess was evident last term, where they scored 83 goals, but they will look to tighten a defence that conceded 47.
Finishing sixth last season with a record of 23 wins, 12 draws and 11 losses from 46 games, Southend demonstrated they are a competitive force in the National League. Their recent form heading into the close season read WLWWD. However, the title race ultimately saw them finish 27 points behind champions York City.
The team now turns its focus to building a squad capable of mounting a stronger challenge, with all current player information available on the official squad page.
Pre-season friendlies are vital for building match fitness and testing combinations ahead of the competitive action. This draw at Woking provided valuable minutes for a mix of experienced players and those pushing for a more prominent role. The management will analyse the performance, particularly the missed chances that could have secured a win.
The next test for Southend United is another friendly, scheduled for this Saturday at Roots Hall. The full list of preparatory matches can be found on the club's fixtures page as they build towards the National League kick-off.
