Southend United 0 Harrogate Town 4: Advertiser player ratings from opening-day triumph

Lloyd Kerry celebrates after netting Harrogate Town's second goal against Southend United with a powerful strike from outside the box. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

Here's an assessment of how Simon Weaver's table-topping players performed during Saturday's 2020/21 season-opener by the Essex coast.

Joe Cracknell 7/10 - Didn't have much to do, but when called upon he played his part with one decent save and a number of tidy bits of glovework.

Ryan Fallowfield 8 - Southend got a little bit of joy down the Town right, however this was another typically committed and energetic performance from the ex-Hull City defender. Looks so confident on the ball, he glided past opponents on a couple of occasions.

Connor Hall climbs highest to head the ball clear.

Will Smith 9 - A near faultless performance from the young centre-half, whose game seems to have gone up a notch since Harrogate were promoted. Dominated the home forwards and timed a number of important tackles to perfection.

Connor Hall 8 - His under-hit back-pass almost gifted Southend a clear run in on goal in the first half, but that moment aside he looked very assured. Read the game well and stepped in to make a couple of key interceptions.

Warren Burrell 7 - Kept things pretty tight down his side of the field and cruised through the afternoon relatively untroubled for the most part.

George Thomson - 7 Provided some excellent deliveries into the box from the right, one of which led to the opening goal. Made good use of the ball as always and linked well with Ryan Fallowfield.

Aaron Martin smashes home Town's third of the afternoon.

Josh Falkingham 7 - There were a couple of uncharacteristic passes that went straight to Southend players during the opening 20 minutes, but otherwise the Town captain was tidy in possession of the ball and at his tenacious, snarling best off it.

Lloyd Kerry 9 - ADVERTISER STAR MAN. Rifled home a fine strike from outside the box and got through plenty of work in the engine room. Got himself into positions to make a number of well-timed challenges and broke play up to great effect - particularly in the second period.

Jack Muldoon 9 - Deployed on the left-wing but played almost as a third striker at times. Showed his class with a couple of very accomplished finishes.

Aaron Martin 9 - Finished the afternoon with a goal and two assists, though that only tells half the story. Caused the home defence so many problems with his pace, movement and strength.

Mark Beck 6 - His height and presence unsettled the United back-four at times early on, however he was unable to influence the contest as much as he would have liked thereafter. This was however his first start since coming back from a long-term injury. Just needs more minutes.

Jon Stead (on for Beck, 59) 7 - Made exactly the sort of positive impression from the substitutes’ bench that Simon Weaver will have wanted. Used his experience and know-how to ensure that Town continued to threaten in the final third right up until the final whistle.