Freddy Eastwood plays 65 minutes as Blues beat Luton Town 2-1

Jack Payne and Bedsente Gomis scored in Southend United’s friendly win against Luton Town on Tuesday afternoon.





Blues won 2-1, and had Paul Smith to thank for a late penalty save.





There was more good news as Freddy Eastwood came through 65 minutes of action on his return from injury.





Eastwood started alongside Craig Reid in attack but it was midfielders Payne and Gomis who gave Blues a 2-0 lead.





Payne opened the scoring before Gomis doubled Blues’ advantage.





Luton pulled one back late on and then were awarded a penalty in the final moments.





But Smith made a good save to keep the score at 2-1.





Defenders Mark Phillips and Adam Thompson also came through the game unscathed, both getting 80 minutes under their belts.





First team coach Graham Coughlan said: “It was a very hardworking performance from all of the lads.





“It was good to see Freddy come through 65 minutes. He actually wanted to stay on but we have to manage his return.





“It’s great to have these games throughout the season but at this time it’s really important.





“With Christmas coming up we need all the players to be match fit and this will have helped a lot of the lads.





“We played some really good football on a difficult pitch in the first-half, and scored two good goals.





“They came back into it a bit more in the second-half, but it was great to see Paul make a penalty save late on.”