Colchester United's Youth Team have progressed into the Premier League Cup Semi-Final, beating Blackpool 1-0 on Saturday.
Elliott Ward’s youngsters played hosts at Maldon & Tiptree to the Championship side, who topped their group to get to this stage with wins over Preston North End, Burnley and Wigan Athletic.
Samson Uwandu was the U’s hero at the weekend, scored the only goal of the game on the hour.
The visitors had the best of the early play - Danai Hassan made a great burst down the left but U’s keeper Harrison Chamberlain made a good save. Jaden Jones then made space for the shot which was also saved by Chamberlain on seven minutes.
The young U’s got a foothold in the game though, and both sides exchanged chances in the remainder of the first twenty minutes without managing to get on the scoresheet.
Just past the midway point in the half, Freddie Price and Samson Uwandu linked well and from the former’s cross, the Uwandu’s volley was well saved.
Chamberlain saved at the other end in a one-on-one situation, and the first half finished goalless despite the best efforts by either side to score.
As they did in the first half, Blackpool dominated the early stages of the second, but couldn’t convert a couple of chances they created in the opening minutes.
On the hour mark, it was the U’s that drew first blood. A cross from Price was helped on by Jamie Arnold and Uwandu was in the perfect place to score.
Blackpool came back at the U’s, but any real clear-cut chances were hard to find.
Chamberlain managed to smother the ball as Bryon got clear of the U’s defence in injury time, and that was the last chance of the game.
Uwandu’s effort was the difference between the two sides, and the U’s make it through to the Premier League Cup Semi-Final.
U’s: Chamberlain, Yates, Edwards, Berry, Aman, Oni, Uwandu, Mupomba, Arnold, Marcel Dilaver, Price.
Subs: Jolliffe, Peglar, Palmer Brown, Gordon Clement, James