First-half strikes from Samson Tovide and Chay Cooper earned the U’s their first three points in this season’s EFL Trophy, with a 2-1 win over Cambridge.
The U’s took the lead in the opening twenty minutes ad Tovide blasted home from Cooper’s through ball and never really looked back.
Chay Cooper added a second, tenaciously running after the ball to win it back and list over the ‘keeper as the League One hosts failed to lay a glove on Sam Hornby’s goal.
A late penalty gave the U’s a scare after Amadhe netted from twelve yards, but there wasn’t enough time for a comeback as Colchester took the points.
The win gives the U’s a first three points in Southern Group D, giving them a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages, with one game to play.
Ben Garner lined up with eight changes to the starting eleven against Forest Green Rovers, handing Frankie Terry his first start in a Colchester United shirt.
Arthur Read returned to the starting line up, with his suspension not counting towards the EFL Trophy, with Jay Mingi also allowed to play. And Owura Edwards was named amongst the substitutes for the first time since his summer arrival from Bristol City.
There was a change of shape for Garner’s side, with the U’s lining up at 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Will Greenidge, Frankie Terry, Connor Hall and Mandela Egbo made up a flat back four in front of Sam Hornby. Gene Kennedy started at the base of the diamond, with Read and Mingi either side, as Chay Cooper supported Samson Tovide and Bradley Ihionvien up front.
Colchester United had to weather an early storm as Cambridge went on the offensive in the first exchanges of the game. Sam Hornby’s goal was threatened by the home attacking line, although they failed to really test the U’s goalkeeper.
Staying strong under pressure payed off for the U’s as they took the lead in the seventeenth minute. Samson Tovide was the man to break the deadlock, latching on to Chay Cooper’s through ball to blast into the bottom corner on the angle.
And Ben Garner’s side only added to their advantage before the break as Chay Cooper got a goal to go with his assist. He chased down Liam Bennett from a Cambridge corner to win the ball back just inside his own half – the youngster then raced on to lift an effort over the ‘keeper just before the half time whistle.
There was still time in the first half for Samson Tovide to pick up a yellow, but the U’s went in happier with their two-goal advantage.
Colchester made two changes at half time; Connor Hall and Samson Tovide were replaced by Zach Mitchell and Tom Hopper with the U’s making a strong start to the second forty-five.
Arthur Read went agonisingly close to putting his side three goals to the good, following up on Mandela Egbo’s blocked effort. But his powerful drive whistled just over the crossbar and out of danger for a goal kick.
Further changes soon came from both benches, with the U’s introducing Dallison and Edwards for Egbo and Cooper. The hosts swapped out Bennett and Janneh for Haunstrup and McConnell to try and get back into the game.
Bookings swiftly followed for May and Mingi for fouls on eachother within sixty seconds before Cambridge made their third change of the game with just over fifteen to play. Jack Lankester was introduced for Jordan Cousins in midfield.
Matt Jay joined the action for the final ten minutes, replacing Bradley Ihionvien, with Cambridge also making a change up front with Okenabihrie in the closing stages.
And the Cambridge forward had a chance within a couple of minutes of coming on. Collecting the ball from Lankester’s blocked shot, Okenabirhie struck a powerful drive that Hornby did well to steer away from goal with his feet.
The hosts netted from the spot late on after a handball in the penalty area, but it was too little too late for Cambridge who fell to defeat against Colchester.
The 2-1 win hands the U’s a first three points in the EFL Trophy. Next up in the tournament, Colchester host another League One side in Peterborough United at the JobServe Community Stadium at the end of November.
Next up for the U’s is a return to North Essex to host Harrogate Town on Saturday afternoon.
Cambridge United starting XI: Mannion, Bennett (Haunstrup 62’), Okedina, Rossi, Janneh (McConnell 62’), May, Simper, Ahadme, Cousins (Lankester 74’), Gordon (Okenabihrie 82’), Jobe.
Subs: Holden, Thomas, Okenabirhie, Lankester, Haunstrup, Yearn, McConnell.
Colchester United starting XI: Hornby, Greenidge, Hall (Mitchell 46’), Tovide (Hopper 46’), Read, Egbo (Dallison 64’), Mingi, Kennedy, Cooper (Edwards 64’), Terry, Ihionvien (Jay 79’).
Subs: Smith, Dallison, Jay, Edwards, Hopper, Mitchell, Nelson.
Attendance: 991 (147)