Colchester United U23s got back to winning ways on Monday afternoon, as they defeated Bristol City a very windy and cold Florence Park.
The first team to show on eight minutes were the home side as Louis Dunne found Eoin McKeown down the left, but his ball across was behind both Noah Chilvers and Todd Miller who were waiting in the centre.
It was City who had the next best chance as after a short home corner was cleared, the away side broke and Bell was found, but keeper Ethan Ross was down to his right to make the save.
However shortly before half time, Colchester took the lead as Ollie Kensdale got the ball forward to Louis Dunne and he helped the ball towards Cameron James, who outmuscled his opponent before moving on towards the right edge of the box. He fired a shot across goal into the far corner of the net to give the U's the lead.
A minute later and Eoin McKeown was fouled by Tom Harrison, but with no real advantage gained, the referee brought the play back for a home free kick, which Louis Dunne took, but City keeper Jo Jo Woolacott saved very well, low down to his left by the post.
Half time arrived with the U’s 1-0 ahead, but it was a lead which did not last long after the break. A ball in from the left found Ricardo Rees lurking in the box and he sent his header into the home net to make it 1-1 two minutes after the restart.
The U’s then hit back again to lead just before the hour mark as Louis Dunne played in Todd Miller down the left, he burst away and into the box and although his effort was well saved, Eoin McKeown then knocked the ball goalwards which City defender Wright could only hit into the roof of his own net.
The home team then made it 3-1 as after a throw in on the right, a pass down the right found McKeown who cleverly lifted his shot over the keeper’s head and into the net and again City attempts to hook the ball clear were in vain.
City pulled one back with ten minutes to go as Harvey Smith's header was sent back across goal and inside the far post. The visitors pressed for a late equaliser and it needed James to head clear from his goalmouth and a final whistle signalled three valuable points for the U’s.
Team: Ethan Ross, David Agboola, Chris Forino, Ollie Kensdale, Al-Amin Kazeem, Ryan Clampin, Todd Miller, Noah Chilvers, Cameron James, Louis Dunne and Eoin McKeown with used subs: Ryan Gondoh, Dean Ager and Sam Warde and unused subs: Callum Coulter and Ken Charles