Southend Utd began their League One campaign with a home defeat to Doncaster Rovers. Off to a bright start, the Blues dominated the goal-less first half. After the break, the visitors hit the Seasiders’ with a three goal burst and, despite a late two goal fight-back from Chris Powell’s side, Rovers held firm to take the points.

With the sun shining brightly, and a good opening day record, the mood at Roots Hall was positive. Talk before kick-off had been on whether the new look side could sustain a play-off challenge. In what was to turn out to be a display with many encouraging signs, on an otherwise frustrating afternoon, the need for an additional striking option to round off an attractive team looks valid.

It all started promisingly for the Blues. McLaughlin, switched to the right from his usual berth on opposite flank, soon broke free from midfield. In space, a precise shot from the Irishman forced the first of many saves from the very impressive Rovers goalkeeper, Marko Marosi. In the 11th minute, Coker’s free-kick routine with McLaughlin would see Marosi in action once again as he flung himself to his right to divert the ball for a corner.

With Coker and Kightly dominant on the left-hand side, the Blues launched waves of attacks and started to accumulate a heavy corner count. The new look central midfield of Sam Mantom and Luke Hyam was also functioning well. Passing combinations started to flow across the midfield and the influence of Chris Powell in improving Southend’s build-up and style of play was clear to see.

A flowing move in the 18th minute saw Mantom slide a through ball to allow Cox a sight of goal. In space, the striker connected well enough from 15 yards but was thwarted by a diving save with his feet from Marosi. A drinks break just before the half-hour mark provided a short interlude before Hopper would demonstrate his aerial prowess, winning important headers and linking well with Cox.

Doncaster offered very little in the first half with the main excitement for Mark Oxley being a short back-pass from Harry Lennon that necessitated a quick reaction to avert danger. The first period would end with Cox picking up the ball on the half-way line, driving forward, but ultimately hitting a weak shot.

The Yorkshire side would be a different proposition in the second period. With Southend strangely subdued and, with Whiteman and Rowe in Rovers’ central midfield starting to gain influence, the men from Yorkshire took control of the match. A two goal burst would shock Southend and turn the game on its head.

Just seven minutes would separate the two strikes. In the 50th minute, John Marquis collected a diagonal ball from Rowe, skipped inside Lennon, and fired past Oxley.
It would get worse in the 57th minute as the lively right-winger, Wilks, found space on the edge of the Southend area. With a neat control and turn, the number seven fired home his first goal for his new club into Oxley’s near post area.

Just after the hour, Powell rang the changes bringing on Theo Robinson and Sam Barratt in place of McLoughlin and Cox. These seem to have the desired effect injecting extra zip to play. Robinson, latching on to a Kightly through ball, quickly demonstrated his extra pace, evading a defender, and firing a shot just wide.

Any Southend optimism was unfortunately short-lived as a third Doncaster goal arrived on 69 minutes. A short corner routine saw Rowe and Crawford exchange passes. With no pressure on the ball, Rowe carried the ball forward and with his weaker right foot stubbed a shot that managed to roll almost apologetically through a crowd of players into the bottom corner.

With Dieng entering play for Kightly shortly afterwards, Southend started to exert control once again in midfield and enjoyed a strong final twenty minutes. Mantom combined well with the promising Dieng to fire a shot on goal from 20 yards that Manosi could only palm out into danger. Following up, Hopper ensured he was first to the rebound to slot home from close range on 75 minutes.

With Barratt revelling in his League debut, the ex-Maidenhead man headed a clever ball through to Hopper who was clear on goal. A disappointing shot over the top saw the chance pass. Barratt would try himself moments later. Picking up a ball from 25 yards, his fierce shot forced a diving Manosi to concede the corner.

A second Southend goal would arrive through Robinson who followed up Hopper’s firm onward header to stab home at the near post on 85 minutes. Despite the addition of 8 minutes added time to atone for some blatant time-wasting and play-acting from Doncaster in the closing minutes, it would be too little, too late to prevent the Blues from ending the afternoon empty-handed.

Whilst an opening day defeat at home is disappointing, there was clear evidence that the team is progressing and new signings all showed promise. With 24 shots on goal, and at least 70 minutes of outright dominance, Southend should have won this game. However, failure to take enough of the many chances created saw the Blues slip to defeat against a side that had few chances but took them all.

Southend United: Mark Oxley, Ben Coker, Jason Demetriou, Harry Lennon, Michael Turner, Sam Mantom, Luke Hyam, Stephen McLaughlin (Sam Barratt, 63) Michael Kightly (Timothee Dieng, 73), Simon Cox (Theo Robinson, 63), Tom Hopper.

Goals: ’75 Hopper; ’85 Robinson

Doncaster Rovers: Marko Marosi, Niall Mason, Joe Wright, Andy Butler, Danny Andrew (Danny Amos, 65), Ben Whiteman, Ali Crawford (Matthew Blair, 76), Tommy Rowe, Mallik Wilks, John Marquis, James Coppinger (Alex Kiwomya, 60).

Goals: ’51, Marquis ; ’58 Wilks; ’70 Rowe

Attendance: 7,147