Two second-half goals from Duggens and Sabah secured a 2-1 victory, giving the U’s a place in the quarter-final stage.
Colchester United U17s were taking on Luton Town in a Professional Development League Cup clash at Maldon & Tiptree on a freezing Tuesday evening.
Elliott Ward’s men were hoping to cement their place at the top of the group standings, having previously beaten Ipswich Town 3-1 and Millwall 2-0. A win would also guarantee that the U’s progress through to the quarter-final of the competition.
Ward named a strong starting eleven with the likes of Rasheed Drysdale, Burak Sabah, and Ewan Gordon-Clement tasked with tormenting Luton’s defence.
The first ten minutes of the game were incredibly tense with both teams holding their shape while trying to penetrate the opposition’s tough defensive block. This meant that chances were few and scarce on both ends.
While mostly compact, the U’s defence allowed the visitors in on a couple of occasions, eventually resulting in a yellow card for Mitch Ward on thirteen minutes after a late challenge.
Luton had similar problems with persistent U’s forwards and were forced into late tackles themselves that led to one of their defenders being sent off after receiving a second yellow card twenty minutes before half-time.
There was a slight shift in the game following the dismissal, with the U’s slowly starting to dominate, controlling possession and creating a couple of half-chances through Elkanah Akor and Burak Sabah.
Both teams, however, went in at half-time on level terms.
Less than sixty seconds into the second half, Andrew Palmer-Brown was carded for a late tackle that resulted in a dangerous free-kick for the visitors. The effort from twenty-five yards, however, flew miles over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, it was Colchester who found themselves ahead after mayhem in the box following a corner saw Duggens stay alert and tap the ball in from close range.
With sixty-five minutes gone, Ward opted for a triple substitution with Mombo, Sasere and Elliott replacing Duggens, Murphy and Banjoko.
The youngsters looked energised following the changes and extended their lead after seventy-three minutes. Sabah’s darting run past Luton’s defenders saw him one-on-one with the ‘keeper before he unleashed a powerful low strike that nestled in the back of the net.
Time ticked on with the U’s keeping the visitors at bay. Luton, however, managed to find a way through but were denied by the post on eighty-five minutes.
Luton were awarded a penalty on ninety-five minutes and got a goal back. The referee, however, blew the full-time whistle as soon as the ball crossed the line with the youngsters securing their third victory in the group stage and a place in the quarterfinals.
Colchester United Starting XI: Trialist, Akor, Ward, Harvey, Palmer-Brown, Duggens, Murphy, Banjoko, Gordon-Clement, Sabah, Drysdale
Subs: Mombo, Sapsford, Elliott, Makatta, Sasere
