Productive afternoon for the U's.
Tony Humes told the official website: "It was a good test for our youngsters, dealing with a more physical opposition, but they stood up to it well and came through with great credit.
The match saw Sanchez Watt grab a much needed ninety minutes, whilst David Wright played an hour on his own path back to fitness.
Colchester United's U21s got their season off to a positive start, earning a hard fought draw against Sheffield United at the Blades' training ground.
The match saw Sanchez Watt grab a much needed ninety minutes, whilst David Wright played an hour on his own path back to fitness.
Colchester United's U21s got their season off to a positive start, earning a hard fought draw against Sheffield United at the Blades' training ground.
"Both teams looked to get forward in their different styles and we were pleased with how we stuck to our patterns of play and didn't get sucked into playing it longer than we were comfortable with.
"We got into some good attacking positions and got some decent crosses into their penalty area but our final shot wasn't quite there. Although this was our first game, it was a little bit disappointing that we didn't have a goal or two to show for our good build-up play.
"David Wright played at full back for us and did everything we would have expected of a senior player.
"He did his job but was also always talking to the younger members of the team and encouraging them to play whenever they could. He got through sixty five minutes, which was pretty much the game time we knew he would be given and showed no signs of the injury affecting him.
"He did his job but was also always talking to the younger members of the team and encouraging them to play whenever they could. He got through sixty five minutes, which was pretty much the game time we knew he would be given and showed no signs of the injury affecting him.
"Sanchez Watt got a whole ninety minutes under his belt and unless there is an adverse reaction in the coming days, came through unscathed as well.
"He was positive every time he got on the ball and tried to make things happen whenever he was in possession.
"I'm sure there’ll be even more sharpness to his running, on and off the ball, once he gets more game time under his belt but he put everything in the game, despite it being an U21s match.
"That’s all we expect from any senior lads playing for us, showing the young lads that a good attitude is needed at all times."
"He was positive every time he got on the ball and tried to make things happen whenever he was in possession.
"I'm sure there’ll be even more sharpness to his running, on and off the ball, once he gets more game time under his belt but he put everything in the game, despite it being an U21s match.
"That’s all we expect from any senior lads playing for us, showing the young lads that a good attitude is needed at all times."
The match also featured two triallists, who are now expected to return to the U's to play further minutes as they look to impress the U's coaching staff.
"O "Byron Lawrence played the whole match in our midfield three and was good on the ball. He also showed a very good awareness of how we want to play the game here at Colchester United and settled into it extremely quickly.
n this showing, we certainly would like to keep them involved in a few more matches and training over the next period of time," Tony added.
"He managed his game well, defending at the right time and picking good moments to get forward and join in our attacks. I imagine we’ll keep them here for a while longer and see how they fare in the next few matches."
"Kane Vincent-Young came on for David at full back and did both sides of the game very well.
"Kane Vincent-Young came on for David at full back and did both sides of the game very well.