Anthony Wordsworth netted a final minute winner as the Blues beat Southend 2-1 at Roots Hall in their penultimate pre-season friendly. Trialist Balint Bajner had put Town ahead just before the hour mark with Myles Weston equalising for the home side. Late on, David McGoldrick made his long-awaited return from injury.

Bartosz Bialkowski started in goal with skipper Luke Chambers at right-back, Tyrone Mings on the left and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

In central midfield, Cole Skuse partnered Luke Hyam with Jay Tabb back from his minor niggle on the left and Paul Anderson on the right. Frank Nouble and Daryl Murphy began the game up front.

Returning striker McGoldrick was named on the bench, while trialists Bajner and Kevin Bru were also amongst the subs. Southend, who play QPR tomorrow, included eight trialists in their squad.

Shrimpers legend Freddy Eastwood took the kick-off, having left the club over the summer with his retirement due to ongoing knee problems expected, but made way soon afterwards.

Nouble struck the game’s first serious shot in the sixth minute from just inside the box but Southend keeper Paul Smith blocked.

Chances were rare after that with neither side able to carve out a significant opportunity with the ball appearing to get caught in the less than closely cut surface. All too many final balls were under or over-hit at both ends, although Town had the greater share of the ball.

On 25 Kevan Hurst crossed from the Southend right and Lee Barnard flicked a header just over the bar.

A promising 38th minute Town move down the left involving Murphy and Mings ended with a Nouble shot hitting a defender, then soon after Skuse mis-hit a volley wide.

There was a scare for the home side just before the break when keeper Paul Smith hammered a clearance against Nouble but the ball rebounded straight into his arms.

Soon after referee Pat Miller brought a less than inspiring half to an end with neither side particularly looking like breaking the deadlock.

Town had had more of the ball but had threatened only very occasionally, Nouble’s early low shot and late inadvertent effort the best of the chances.

The Blues made seven changes at the break, Jonny Parr, Elliott Hewitt, Anthony Wordsworth, Kevin Bru, Cameron Stewart, Balint Bajner and Jack Marriott replacing Mings, Chambers, Skuse, Hyam, Anderson, Murphy and Nouble. Trialists Bru and Bajner wore the shirts listed under each other’s name on the teamsheet.

Hurst hit an early second-half freekick into the wall for the Shrimpers, Ross Jenkins, one of four half-time substitutions, sending the loose ball well wide.

The game finally came to life in the 58th minute when the Blues went in front. A Stewart cross from the right was only half-cleared and trialist striker Bajner deftly placed a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box before celebrating in front of the travelling Town support.

Paul Taylor replaced Tabb in the 65th minute, then in the 73rd minute David McGoldrick made his long-awaited comeback after injury. Ted Bishop, Matt Clarke and Alex Henshall also came on with Smith, Bru, Stewart and Marriott making way.

A minute later, while the Blues adjusted to the changes, the home side got back on terms. David Worrall cut the ball back from the right and sub Weston beat Bialkowski down to his right to record the first goal scored against Town in pre-season.

Southend came close to going in front in the 82nd minute when a freekick on the left was played to trialist Patrick Cregg, who curled a shot which Bialkowski did well to save to his left.

McGoldrick quickly got into the game, playing a delightful cross-field ball before forcing Southend sub keeper Ted Smith to block a 30-yard drive. As the game moved into its final two minutes striker scuffed another effort through to the keeper.

In the final minute Town won it. Keeper Smith blocked at Bishop’s feet, Wordsworth was first to react, found himself space and slid the ball into the roof of the net. Soon after, referee Miller blew his whistle.

A draw would probably have been a fair result with the game improving slightly after the break following the dismal first half.

Regardless of the result, the highlight for Blues fans was McGoldrick’s comeback with the striker showing a few glimpses of the form which made him such a key player last season.

Town complete their pre-season programme at League One Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm).

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c) (Hewitt 46), Mings (Parr 46), Hyam (Bru 46 (Bishop 73)), Smith (Clarke 73), Berra, Anderson (Stewart 46 (Henshall 73)), Skuse (Wordsworth 46), Murphy (Bajner 46), Nouble (Marriott 46 (McGoldrick 73)), Tabb (Taylor 65). Unused: Gerken.

Photo: Action Images

ArnieMsBigToe added 12:12 - Jul 30 PilgrimBlue: I thought I would be clever and look at the squad tab. Doh! No number 13. PhilTWTD: Do you know the squad numbers yet? If so, would it be possible to update the squad page please? Many thanks.
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Pilgrimblue added 12:20 - Jul 30 It's true that Tabb isn't good out wide BUT he's not good enough to replace those inside either. He'll be ok on bench until we get better loanees (i hope) I'll be very surprised if MM doesn't sign Bajner. He looks a real handful and can only get better. Trouble is that he'll be looking to play in same position as Murphy but I guess at first he will come on as sub. If Bishop was 13 last night then I think he's one to make breakthrough. He was strong skillful and positive. Don't think there's much between keepers at moment and there'll be interesting competition with Mings and Parr, although Mings could be central cover as well. Orient game will see MM showing who his best eleven is with McG on bench until he gets fitter. My starting line up for Fulham: Gerken Chambers Berra Smith Parr Stewart Hyam Skuse Henshall Murphy Bajner (I hope)

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RudolphHucker added 13:58 - Jul 30 In all seriousness why is Jay Tabb still at the club? Would much rather play Teddy Bishop, a young hungry exciting player, especially against West Ham, rather than Tabb who literally offers nothing at all! Surely Bru is worth more of a contract than Tabb!
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