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Youth Team Record Important Win

Posted on: Mon 22 Mar 2010

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REPORT BY BRIAN WALLER, PICTURE BY MARK SPURGEON
The U's U18s recorded an impressive victory on Saturday, as they overcame second in the table Queens Park Rangers, to record a much needed victory.

They had to work very hard for it, having to weather a testing first half, playing into the strong wind, but bit by bit they clawed their way back into it and on a day of firsts, it was a first ever goal by Bradley Hamilton.

Right from the kick off Rangers pressed, and from an early corner, the ball ran to centre back Danny Bailey, who swung a foot and missed as he slipped over when he lost his footing.

Then it Bruno Andrade down the left but Trevor Ajim was in with a good tackle.

When a free kick was conceded on the defensive left touchline, Michael Doughty swung the ball straight into the net, but the linesman flag was up for an infringement in the box.

More Rangers attacks ensued, but Hamilton was in with another good tackle and when Elliot Cox tried to get the cross in from the right, Matty Redgrave raised an arm and handled.

However, when Doughty delivered the ball in, it was an easy catch this time for keeper Shane Cusack.

Holding by Hamilton on Danny Fernandez gave the R's more hope, but Cusack made a smart save down to his left from the free kick.

A short goal kick by Cusack tried to find his defender, but Fernandez intercepted, but he failed to make the most of it, and when his shot ran to Cox, he dragged his effort wide.

The industrious Seth Duzgun was giving the home midfield a more solid look this week, and they were rolling up their sleeves and battling very hard to hold out. All of the play was in their half, but to their credit, the scoreline was still blank.

Little had been seen of the U's in attack, but a back pass put the Rangers keeper Joe Wright in trouble, and as he tried to clear, Jordan Sanderson got the block in but the ball rebounded wide.

With almost half an hour gone, it was Andrade down the left, but the miscued hook at the ball by Fernandez sent it wide.

The home team really should have led as Sanderson got the better of Michael Harriman down the left.

He fed in Freddie Lapado, who moved on, but then poked his left footer wide. Craig Arnott so nearly put in Lapado, but it was Harriman kicking hurriedly clear into touch.

The break came and went, the officials returned, warmed by their half time cup of tea, and your match reporter returned from his drink making skills to continue his writing, but nothing changed as Rangers continued in control.

From the left Aaron Waters crossed in well for Fernandes, who on the turn saw his shot beat Cusack, but Redgrave cleared.

Then the home side started to stir, Connor Cranmer down the left hung up a cross, Lapado knocked it goalwards, but a defender got it clear.

Then the U's were rewarded for their efforts as Seth Dunzun was caught just inside the box by a challenge and the U's had a penalty.

It was Craig Arnott taking it, but in trying to be too precise, it was a tame effort by him, and it was an easy save for the keeper down to his left.

Then it was Cusack with a vital save and when Sanderson could only clear a short way, the follow up was blocked.

As the game got a bit more competitive, left back Waters was in trouble with the referee as he floored Ladapo.

Midway through the half the U's then grabbed an unexpected lead, but on their second half showing, a deserved advantage.

From a corner, it was Redgrave on the back post hooking it goalwards and, although the R's got it out of the danger area, the ball ran out to Hamilton on the edge of the box, who drove a low shot back into the net.

An Olufemi foul on the touchline saw Doughty swing in another free kick, as it fell for Luke Olley, he hooked it wide.

As Rangers frustrations grew Waters got booked probably more for the verbals than anything after a home free kick came.

Then as Sanderson tried to clear, he was clipped from behind by Fernandes, but not content just to concede the free kick, he continued to argue his case, and the referee a little fed up with his attitude, booked him as well.

Arnott was replaced by trialist Lewis Butcher, with 15 minutes to go and 22 players battled on to achieve a result for their team.

A crunching Hamilton challenge saw a free kick conceded as the R's looked for a way back into the game.

However, the resulting low effort by Max Elmer hit the foot of the wall.

The U's still had good chances, Butcher's header on the back post was well saved by the keeper, but a push by him had already been spotted by the referee.

Then neat football down the right really should have got them a second goal, the ball was fed in, was laid left to Ladapo, left again to Sanderson, but the keeper made the save.

Andrew-Maurice Perring had come as a sub early and it was Rangers who pressed late on.

One move saw brave play by Folan, before he was flattened by a challenge but it was again Colchester with two late chances.

Ladapo down the left slid the ball across low, but Butcher's connection was not the best and ran widish and out of the reach of Olufemi then Duzgun seemed to release Ladapo on the right, but the defender covered him very well.

To their relief, the final whistle sounded, and a rare victory for the boys.

Colchester: Shane Cusack, Bradley Hamilton, Trevor Ajim, Matty Redgrave, Connor Cranmer, Seth Duzgun, Jordan Traynier, Jack Folan, Jordan Sanderson, Craig Arnott and Freddie Ladapo

Used subs: Tosin Olufemi and Richard Butcher with unused sub: Richard Robins