Despite taking an early two-goal lead through Kaan Bennett and John Akinde, Colchester United U21 ended up succumbing to a 6-3 defeat when they faced Queens Park Rangers.
Returning from injury, John Akinde made an appearance for Colchester United U21s when they faced QPR in a Professional Development League clash in Maldon on a rainy Monday afternoon.
And, the U’s attacking setup with Akinde, Kaan Bennett, and Kenny Mupomba up front paid off instantly with Colchester taking the lead after just two minutes. Relentless pressure on QPR’s defence resulted in them giving the ball away in their penalty area with Bennett quick off the mark unleashing a powerful low strike that smeared the left post on its way in.
The visitors responded well to conceding a goal, creating a couple of good chances. Harrison Chamberlain's strong hands were required on fifteen minutes when a dangerous cross was met with a decent header, which, luckily for the U’s, was directed straight at the ‘keeper.
U’s captain Ryan Lowe then came close to extending Colchester’s lead on twenty-one minutes when his effort from outside the box was slightly deflected, flying inches away from the post.
Nevertheless, Colchester found themselves 2-0 up after twenty-eight minutes through Akinde. The striker didn’t panic when he received the ball in the opposition’s area, controlling it beautifully before guiding it into the bottom corner of the net.
The two-goal deficit did not deter QPR, who continued to press. And their resistance paid off with half an hour gone. Good build-up play saw them quickly move up the pitch before unleashing a strike from just outside the box that beat Chamberlain.
Less than ten minutes later, the visitors found themselves ahead after scoring two quick-fire goals just before half-time. This meant that the U’s went in behind at the break.
Liam Bailey opted for his first substitution ahead of the second half with John Akinde being replaced by Bayan Aman.
The visitors, however, started the second half like they finished the first and found themselves leading by four goals to two on fifty-two minutes when another deflection beat Chamberlain in goal.
Bailey then opted for his second change with Lamb replacing Edwards. Jet Dyer was then carded on sixty minutes for a pull on the shirt.
In worrying scenes five minutes later Marcel-Dilaver had to be assisted off the pitch after picking up an injury. He was replaced by Kaleel Green.
From then on things only got worse for Colchester, with the visitors extending their lead to three goals with twenty minutes to go.
With three minutes to go, the U’s got a goal back through a fantastic Yates – Bennett combination. Yates played a brilliant looping ball over QPR’s defence with Bennett controlling it gracefully before making a darting run into the box from the right-hand side and finishing with his left foot.
Unfortunately, the comeback wasn’t on for the U’s, who despite pressing for the last fifteen minutes of the game, ended up conceding their sixth on hundred minutes.
Sixty seconds later the referee blew the full-time whistle with Liam Bailey’s men succumbing to a 6-3 defeat.
Colchester Starting XI: Chamberlain, Yates, Dyer, Lowe, Edwards, Nelson, Marcel-Dilaver, Trialist, Mupomba, Bennett, Akinde
Subs: Green, Aman, Joliffe, Lamb, Sexton
