Colchester United

The U's had won their previous three U23s league games and put in a positive performance to defeat their Premier League opponents.

It was an explosive first twenty minutes that set the tone for the night, as the U's raced into a two goal lead.

Having already created a series of chances, Matt Briggs put the U's in front on eleven minutes. The ball fell to the U's left back from a corner and he struck a shot that squirmed under Haug in the City goal.

Seven minutes later, it was two and another corner caused the problems. It fell to Peter and he kept his calm to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

The visitors had no answer to the U's attacking thrust in that opening period, but got themselves back in the game just after the half hour mark.

The home side managed to repel two efforts in quick succession, but couldn't stop the third as Fernandes slotted home.

City then had the better of the remainder of the half, but the U's retained their advantage into the half time interval.

And the U's continued their positivity in the second period, having the better of the first fifteen after the break.

Whilst City were starting to see a bit more of the ball, it was largely in front of the U's back line and the home side's work rate ensured that Williams was well protected by the players in front of him.

Urged on by the majority of a crowd of 972, the U's were dangerous on the counter attack and had opportunities to extend their advantage.

But what would have pleased boss Wayne Brown was the way his side managed the second half and ensured their top flight opponents were unable to break them down.

Pressing from the front, they kept City at bay and picked up a win that gives them a great opportunity to make progress to the knockout stages of this competition.

Hull City are next up in this competition on Monday, again a 7pm kick-off.