T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver scored twice in a tight game at Florence Park that saw some fantastic individual performances for the young U’s.
The game started off with the U’s on the front foot but they couldn’t seem to find their way through against a very solid Bristol City defence, in the sixteenth minute however, Bayan Aman looped a great header from the edge of the area that was saved well by the Robins’ goalkeeper, unfortunately nothing came from the resulting corner.
Ten minutes later Colchester United had another great chance to get their noses in front with the centre backs linking up high up the pitch. A fantastic run down the right flank from Frankie Edwards who then played a lovely ball across the six-yard box where his defensive partner Andrew Palmer-Brown connected with the pass, however he couldn’t turn it in and the shot went for a goal kick.
In the thirty-fourth minute after good build up play from the U’s a Bristol City defender misjudged a tackle as the U’s pushed into the box, a penalty was given and Marcel-Dilaver stepped up and slotted the ball home, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way. It was a goal that had been coming as the young U’s had been piling on the pressure in the latter parts of the first half.
The second half got underway with Bristol City on the front foot, Frankie Edwards picked up a yellow card for a cynical foul stopping a counter attack, from there the Robins put a ball into the box and the header struck the post which was eventually cleared after a scramble in the box.
Bristol City used the high ball quite often but Jayden Peglar in goal had a brilliant game, he commanded his box well and didn’t give their attackers an inch, he claimed the high ball frequently and punched well out of danger when he knew he couldn’t collect, his decision making was spot on all game and he was a large part of the win.
In the sixty-fourth minute Marcel-Dilaver doubled his tally after Makhaya James played an inch perfect ball across the six-yard box after a nice run cutting inside and down the line. Marcel-Dilaver was well placed to slide the ball into the back of the net and James got a deserved assist after being extremely solid all game.
In the seventy-third minute Palmer-Brown was the next to go into the book after a foul in a dangerous area, the free-kick struck the crossbar but was again well cleared, however the Robins came straight back and managed to catch the U’s in transition, they made it 2-1 with a professional finish that just snuck past an outstretched Peglar.
The game started to break up after Bristol City pulled one back with the U’s hopeful to hold onto the lead. The challenges started flying in as Colchester went into a low block to protect the advantage. The last fifteen minutes were tight but the U’s managed to see it out and collect the three points.
U’s lineup.
- Jayden Peglar 2. Bradley Chakawa 3. Makhaya James 4. Bayan Aman © 5. Andrew Palmer-Brown 6. Frankie Edwards 7. Kennedy Mupomba (16. Sean Brown) 8. Milton Oni (12. Max Joliffe) 9. Jamie Arnold (14. Samson Uwandu) 10. T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver (15. Ewan Gordon-Clement) 11. Freddie Price
Unused Substitutes.
- Jamie Tedaldi