Colchester United U18s welcome QPR to Florence Park in the Professional Development League in the hopes that their league form can improve after their heavy loss to Reading last week.
However, the young U’s will be coming into this game in high spirits after making it to the Semi Final of the PDL Cup in a 1-0 win against Blackpool.
It was a brilliant game with both teams going for it from the off. It was a day for the defenders and goalkeepers, both sides pulled off some great tackles with Matt Yates and Harrison Chamberlain being the stars of the show, Yates managed two goal saving blocks within a minute of each other before the U’s went up the other end and scored.
A fantastic ball into the box from Freddie Price was met by Jamie Arnold and attacked by Samson Uwandu, who was too strong for the Blackpool defender and managed to drive the ball over the line.
Harrison Chamberlin, the U’s goalkeeper saved the game from going to extra time with an astonishingly brave charge down and save in the final seconds. Blackpool broke through and found themselves in a one-on-one situation, the U’s shot-stopper was quick off his line and managed to collect the ball just before the striker could let fly.
The U’s are struggling in the league, sitting tenth in the PDL table South, the opponents, QPR are sitting in fifth having played one less game than the U’s, however, they’re coming into this game following three losses on the bounce and while they will be looking to bounce back, the U’s have a chance to capitalise. The U’s will also be looking for revenge, after losing 6-1 to today’s visitors back in November.