REPORT BY BRIAN WALLER
As the season draws to a close, youth manager Joe Dunne has the very difficult job of balancing and rotating the squads as a whole series of reserve and youth games have to be fitted in the next few weeks.

After the bad weather in recent months, several games still have to be played in the last month of the season and, with several of the second years involved with the reserves match last Tuesday at home to Luton Town, it was mainly a team of first years present in the latest youth encounter.

After the U's suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat on their visit there at the start of last season, the half time score of 2-0 down suggested a possible repeat performance of that day.

However that did not really tell the full story.

In a match played at Bisham Abbey, with the unusual 3pm kick off, rather than the normal 11am one, possibly due to the home side`s first team match v Shrewsbury Town featuring live on Sky TV, Colchester gave a very good account of themselves.

The U's started brightly, and created several good chances. However it was never going to be easy, as the squad, due to injuries, were devoid of regular strikers, with the only one playing in the starting line up being Russell Malton.

Despite some good approach play the visitors just could not quite finish off all their good work.

There was some passing football, and everything seemed to be in good order, but it was just the final ball that was a bit lacking.

Malton was leading the line well, and has been seen in recent reserve outings, he is growing in confidence with his appearances at a higher level.

He went close at Wycombe, as he half volleyed a shot in. Having looked the better side so far, the visitors were undone by a long ball over the top, which was not dealed with at the back and the hosts netted with their first real shot on target.

Colchester continued to pass the ball around well but from a cross in, they conceded a second, and all their good work was being undone.

However changes were afoot at the break, as a mass substitution took place that saw three men off and three coming on in their place.

It was now a 4-4-2 formation with substitute Craig Arnott upfront to support Malton.

Having missed a few good chances, Colchester really needed to make the next attack pay off.

Having scored over 20 goals for the younger squad this season, Arnott certainly has a good eye for goal, and it was indeed he who netted, to give the U's a life line back into the match.

It was a fine strike by him, as he instinctively lifted his shot over the keeper.

He also showed some other good signs from then on as he made the most of his promotion to the older team, culminating in his first competive senior youth goal, and he certainly looks a good prospect for the future.

With the experience and composure of Corcoran in midfield, Colchester were now showing the same good work rate of their first half display.

Some fine link up play was being backed up by excellent delivery from wide positions, but the team were not being rewarded enough for all their efforts.

Late on, the U's were chasing it a bit, and were caught pushing men forward, as John Golwacki conceded a penalty which was converted and this completed the real action for the day.

The best other chances fell to Conor McCloskey who shot wide, and Corcoran who was denied by a good save, as he sent in a fierce drive.

With more action coming thick and fast in the next few weeks, it looks to be a busy time for the boys who will be involved with the whole collection of reserve and youth matches.

A second string trip this week to Southend United, is followed by the last home youth match against Barnet next Saturday.

However the trip to Buckinghamshire was a good test for the boys and will stand them in good order for future games.

It will also be an excellent preparation for next season and for the youngsters in the squad and for those coming through as next year's trainees, it will give the manager some good choices and options and will give him something to build on for the impetus for the matches to come.

Team: Shane Cusack, Trialist, John Glowacki, Bradley Hamilton, Shane Stamp, Jordan Lartey, Conor McCloskey, Louis O`Sullivan, Alex O`Leary, Jordan Sanderson and Russell Malton

Used subs: Craig Arnott, Sam Corcoran and Ben Griffiths with unused sub: Mitchell Nelson