Colchester United U23s have beaten Millwall at Florence Park
It was a first win of the season for Richard Hall's youngsters, as they beat the Lions 3-1 on Monday afternoon.
They had to come from behind, with Millwall opening the scoring thanks to an own goal.
Dean Ager levelled things up before the break, and Matt Weaire and Louis Dunne sealed the victory in the second half.
The U’s started the game on the front foot and were testing the Millwall defence early on.
Michael Fernandes looked dangerous on a couple of occasions, and Cameron James had a shot saved, but the U’s then went behind against the run of play.
On twelve minutes, Tyler Burey and George Alexander linked up well on the right and the ball into the box found Reuben Duncan. He took the credit from his team mates for scoring but it was only his pressure that led to an own goal being scored.
The U’s didn’t let it affect their game much though, and continued to be the team attacking more. Fernandes had another shot saved and then Matt Weaire headed over the bar from a corner.
A nasty barge by Billy Mitchell sent Campbell-Ryce flying, before the U’s got back on level terms just before half time.
Campbell-Ryce and Fernandes did the initial work and Dean Ager then netted with a fine left foot shot from twenty five yards out which beat Sandford down to his left.
The second half began with the U’s giving away niggly fouls, but the visitors couldn’t capitalise from the best placed free kick, which straight into Bailey Vose’s arms.
Following this chance, the Lions had probably their best spell of the game, with decent possession and getting the ball into dangerous areas.
Vose wasn’t really troubled though and as the second half ticked over the hour mark, the U’s took the lead.
A free kick was cleared for a U’s corner, and from this, Danny Collinge hit the keeper’s left post and Weaire was on hand to put in the rebound from close range.
And then, the U’s made the game safe as Sims broke down the left and was pulled down in the box by Ransom. Louis Dunne stepped up and beat the Millwall keeper inside his right hand post.
That third goal came on eighty one minutes, and the U’s held out to record their first victory of the season.