2018 finished with defeat for the Colchester United U23s, who were well beaten by a strong Cardiff City side.
The U's came up against a Bluebirds outfit that featured four first team players and they found it difficult from the point where City scored twice midway through the first half.
Jack McKay broke the deadlock for the home side, finishing from close range to put them in front.
Two minutes later, James Waite kept his composure to fire home and make it two.
The U's managed to prevent any further damage in the first half, only for the home side to score two more just before the interval.
First Ciaron Brown headed home from close range to make it three, before Waite got his second after he reacted quickest when Gary Madine's shot was parried.
The U's had plenty to do in the second half, but had the first chance after the interval when Chilvers fired over the bar.
City hit the back with Jake Evans' header, but it took until the 71st minute for Waite to get his third and City's fifth with a shot from a tight angle.
Lloyd Humphries made it six with a superb effort with seven minutes to go and the home side completed an emphatic victory with Laurence Wootton completing the scoring.