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U's Share Spoils With Daggers

Posted on: Mon 14 Sep 2009

REPORT BY BRIAN WALLER
Game two in this season's Youth Alliance League Cup saw Colchester having to work hard to secure a point, but they could even have won the game late on.

Early on things did not look good, as the visitors were having to battle against hosts who posed many problems in the first 30 minutes of the action.

Playing the long ball, the U's back four had to remain resolute to keep their team in it as the Daggers pinned them back.

With Dagenham playing a very high line, most of the promising Colchester play was being frustrated as the attackers were all too frequently being caught offside.

Indeed the team were indebted to keeper Andrew Dickey, who was bravely out to block at the forward's feet early on.

Jordan Lartey had the best chance in the opening half for the visitors, but just when it looked as if it would be a blank half time score sheet, both teams were on target before the break.

It was the Daggers who netted first when a free kick was whipped in, and with defence and the keeper looking on, a home player nipped in to score.

However it did not take the U's long to hit back as, just two minutes further on, it was Craig Arnott the scorer in a rare attack.

He went past a couple of players, before slotting the ball home. Half time came with the score level at 1-1.

The second half began with things a bit more even.

However it did not stay level for long, as with 50 minutes gone, the hosts were ahead again.

Both teams had their attacks, but when Dagenham got in behind the defence, the shot went in, although Dickey probably felt that he could have done a little better with it.

The home side continued to play the long ball and were still doing a lot of pressuring. However Colchester started to get a better foothold into the match.

They looking stronger in midfield and the formation was changed from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 as the U's went for a more attacking option after the hour mark. Alterations saw Trevor Ajim on for Cem Aytac and Conor McCloskey replace Jordan Pavett.

Colchester started to threaten more, but were still not really testing the keeper.

However they did then level it up with a stunning effort, as Conor McCloskey shocked the home crowd as his glorious 25 yard free kick beat the keeper high up to his left, into the roof of the net on 73 minutes.

This saw Colchester now get on top. Jordan Lartey and George Wilson so nearly combined to create a good opening, but the pass was just a touch too strong for the latter.

Sam Bradley then replaced Jordan Sanderson as they searched for a winner.

However it could have been a lot better with a late winner for the U's as Craig Arnott was to have a great chance with just four minutes to go, but he failed to hit the target.

Team: Andrew Dickey, Bradley Hamilton, John Glowacki, Cem Aytac, Alex O'Leary, Louis O'Sullivan, Jordan Lartey, George Wilson, Jordan Sanderson, Craig Arnott and Jordan Pavett

Used subs: Conor McCloskey, Sam Bradley and Trevor Ajim with unused sub: Shane Cusack