Colchester United U23s have beaten Bristol City 3-2
Noah Chilvers, (pictured scoring against Palace in the Carabao Cup), Matt Weaire and Cameron James were on the scoresheet in the first half, and the young side withstood a late rally by City to claim the three points.
The U’s made the long trip to the West Country to play City at the Optima Stadium in Weston-Super-Mere and it was to be a successful afternoon for them as they made it two league wins in a row.
The game began very well for them as they took a third minute lead as a Freddie Hinds’ pass fed Noah Chilvers down the right and he fired his shot into the home net.
The lead did not last long though, as Sam Pearson was fouled just inside the box by Michael Fernandes and Marcus Day drove the resulting spot kick into the net eight minutes after the U’s opener.
The hosts then went close again as Pearson got away down the right and found Tommy Conway, but his shot was held by U’s keeper Callum Coulter. It was then that the U’s side took a strong grip on the match with two quick goals.
First, from a free kick, a cross-shot by Chilvers was prodded home by Captain Matt Weaire on eighteen minutes. Then it got even better when the U’s scored again on twenty five minutes. This third U’s third goal came from an Ollie Sims corner, with Cameron James firing his shot through a crowd of players to make it 3-1.
Day was then booked for a foul on Sims and just before half time, Fernandes broke into the home box, but keeper Lochlan Robertson made a good save down to his left from a well struck shot from the lively U’s forward.
Six minutes into the second half, the U’s loanee Freddie Hinds, playing against his parent club, made a smart run in behind the home defence but was denied by the save from Robertson.
A double home change on the hour mark saw Josh Owers and Lott replaced by Sam Bell and William Gould.
The home team were then back in the match soon after after good work by Ricardo Rees. He found Pearson, who cut between a couple of defenders before sending a low effort into the bottom corner of the net with still twenty five minutes remaining.
Boosted by the goal, City went close again as Pearson got to the by-line and sent in the cross which Day was unable to get on target as he attempted the first time shot.
Hinds was a danger again at the other end, but his long range effort was tipped around the post by Robertson.
The home team continued to pose problems as the game wore on, a pass by Barney Soady eluded Bell but ran to Pearson who curled his effort too close to the U’s keeper.
It was a strong home finish as Rees shot straight at Callum Coulter and then Soady failed to capitalise on the late chance he had.
The young U’s held on though, and claimed the three points to bring back to north Essex.