Colchester United U23s have drawn 1-1 at Ipswich Town
On a bitterly cold afternoon at the Ipswich Town training ground, it was honours evens. Michael Fernandes, (pictured earlier this season), opened the scoring for the U’s in the first half, but the hosts got a second half equaliser through Riley Scott.
It was Town who had the first real chance, coming on seven minutes, when they won a free kick on the right but Kai Brown’s effort glanced the top of the bar on its way over.
The U’s responded in similar fashion, with Louis Dunne’s free kick whistling just over the home bar.
There was a let-off for the U’s when Town hit the crossbar from a superb chip, and an offside flag ruled out a goal when the rebound was put in.
A couple of dangerous crosses were then played into the Town box by Che Krabbendham, one of which Dunne just failed to profit from.
The U’s did take the lead on thirty nine minutes, as Michael Fernandes was found on the right and he scored with a left foot shot into the far corner.
There was a late chance in the half for Zak Brown but in delaying the shot, the chance went begging.
After the interval, the two sides again swapped free-kicks over the opposing crossbar, before the U’s made a double change on the hour - Diego Freitas Gouveia and a trilliast replaced Dean Ager and Freddie Hinds.
The next goal came for the hosts though, as Scott’s half volley flew in from an O’Reilly cross.
That came on seventy five minutes, but it was the U’s who had the better of the remaining minutes. Jake Alley saved well to his left from Diogo Freitas-Gouveia and then from a corner by Dunne, Collinge headed over when well placed.
Fernandes and Matt Weaire both had shots blocked as the U’s went for a late winner, but the final whistle went with the scores level at 1-1.