Colchester United are through to the third round of the FA Youth cup after a 3-0 victory over Maidstone United, Samson Uwandu scored a brace and a lovely goal from Freddie Price was enough to send the young U’s through.
The U’s started the game well, piling on the pressure early on to stop Maidstone having any joy on the ball, however the visitors were quick on the break and had a few early chances to get their noses in front. Sharp passes down the left-hand side allowed Maidstone to break into the box on a number of occasions but the U’s defence held up very well.
A wasteful opening half an hour from the U’s mixed with brilliant defensive play from Maidstone meant that the visitors had the better of the chances. However, the score remained 0-0 after two great saves from Jayden Peglar and quick reactions from the U’s defenders.
With five minutes to go before half time Kennedy Mupomba let fly on the edge of the box but was somehow denied by a fantastic save from the Maidstone goalkeeper who got down quickly and tipped the ball wide of the post with the smallest of touches.
Maidstone reacted well to this let off and went straight down to the other end of the pitch, a ball was played into Josh Arnold who headed the ball towards the near post, but it was Jayden Peglar’s turn to pull off a stunning save, he got down well to make sure the scores stayed level going into half time.
Seven minutes into the second half the U’s took the lead through Samson Uwandu. The striker had been very threatening all game and finally got his goal. He went round three Maidstone players with a winding run and managed to get his shot away on the edge of the box, the shot took a deflection leaving the ‘keeper no chance in stopping it.
Uwandu got his second in the 60th minute after a fantastic ball from the captain Matt Yates, he somehow managed to float the ball towards Uwandu in monsoon conditions from right on the corner flag. Uwandu’s header was equally as good, he was stood on the left side of the box and headed the ball across goal, the shot nestling into the corner of the goal.
Five minutes later it was three, Freddie Price hit a snap volley with the outside of his boot from the edge of the box, the connection was perfect and he slotted it brilliantly in the bottom left corner, the ‘keeper could do nothing but watch the ball roll past him.
Maidstone did their best to try and fight teir way back into the game and in the 69th minute they almost pulled one back. However an astonishing goal line clearance from Max Jolliffe denied Maidstone a fightback, unbelievable defending.
From then on to the end of the game Colchester controlled the tempo, holding onto the ball well and dictating every move, similar to how they did against Oxford United last week, it was another phenomenal performance from the young U’s and Elliott Ward’s side make their way to the third round of the FA Youth Cup.