Joe Jacobson admits he is still hurting after his bitter-sweet day out at Wembley.
It was a case of mixed emotions for Jacobson after suffering League Two play-off final pain with Wycombe Wanderers.
Jacobson’s free-kick looked to have sent the Chairboys up, before Southend struck deep into extra-time to level the scores at 1-1 and send the tie to penalties.
Cardiff-born Jacobson, 28, kept his cool to net from the penalty spot in the shoot-out but it was not enough.
Jacobson, who was named man-of-the-match, is already looking ahead to righting the wrongs next season and said: “It wasn’t to be and it did take a few days to get over.
“Of course it was a setback with all the hard work we have put in this season. But you dust yourself off and go again. That’s what we spoke about in the changing room afterwards.
“There is the initial disappointment, but you can’t dwell on it. There will be some new players coming in and when we return to pre-season training in five or so weeks we will be ready.
“I have another year left on my contract and I want to play a part in getting us over the line next season.”
It had looked as though it would be a dream day for Jacobson.
Having survived a scare when a penalty appeal against him was waved away, his curling, 25-yard free-kick crept in via Southend’s Daniel Bentley. The Welshman’s free-kick bounced off the crossbar and over the line via the backside of the goalkeeper.
He said: “I remember seeing the ball go in and then it was a bit of a blur. I didn’t know what to do.
“People asked me what I would do if I scored. I thought I would maybe do this and that to celebrate but a surge of adrenaline hits you.
“Instead of running to the opposite end where my family and friends were I just ran to the corner and I was mobbed — right in front of where the Southend fans were seated.”
Jacobson’s fan club saw him distribute 25 tickets to family and friends with many crossing the Severn Bridge and going up the M4 motorway to the home of English football.
Despite the Wembley woe, Jacobson said the day will live with him forever.
“It was my first game at Wembley and it was something I will never forget,” he said .
“For my parents, who travel around the country supporting me, it was a great day out for them. I think they were more excited than I was in the lead-up to the game.
“As a professional you have to detach yourself from all that and play the game rather than the occasion.
“They would have loved us to win but they were proud of the way I played.”
