Two goals from Archie Oliver late in the first half secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory against Cardiff City.
Colchester United U21s were taking on Cardiff City in a Professional Development League clash at Park Drive in Maldon on a very windy Monday afternoon.
Liam Bailey named a young starting eleven with three trialists also coming out for the first forty-five minutes.
The U’s began the match well controlling possession and attempting sophisticated build-up play at times, which threatened the visitors’ defensive line.
Despite dominating, Colchester were unable to find the back of the net in the first twenty-five minutes with Cardiff eventually gaining more and more confidence resulting in more frequent ventures into the U’s penalty area.
With thirty minutes on the clock, the Bluebirds had the best chance of the match, but two dangerous-looking shots from outside the box were brilliantly blocked.
It looked like both teams were going to go in at half-time without a shot on target, but Archie Oliver had other ideas.
The young midfielder made a great run into the box before being brought down with the referee pointing to the spot without hesitation.
Oliver then took matters into his own hands, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way, converting confidently from twelve yards.
Less than sixty seconds later, he had his second after receiving the ball on the edge of the box, spinning the defender, and hitting the ball on the half-volley with it flying into the net.
This meant that despite failing to register a shot on target in the first forty-five minutes, the U’s went in at half-time leading by two goals to nil.
Before the start of the second half, Bailey opted for his first change with one of the trialists making way for Max Jolliffe.
The visitors came out determined to reduce the deficit in the second forty-five minutes and had a couple of half-chances early on but it was nothing that the U’s defenders couldn’t deal with.
After sixty-eight minutes, the Bluebirds finally registered their first shot on target but the effort failed to trouble Smith in goal with the ball rolling straight into the U’s goalkeeper’s hands.
Soon after that, T’Aizo Marcel Dilaver was forced off with a knock and was replaced by Kenny Mupomba.
The visitors never looked like they were going to get back into the clash until the ninetieth minute when Tom Smith made a fantastic save to prevent a stressful ending. A minute later Cardiff hit the crossbar from distance but failed to find the back of the net in added time with Colchester eventually securing a well-fought-out 2-0 victory.
Colchester United Starting XI: 1. Smith, 3. Aman, 4. Trialist, 5. Edwards, 6. Berry, 7. Dilaver, 8. Trialist, 9. Trialist, 11. Sandah, 12. Oliver 14. Thorn (C)
Subs: 29. Collins, 10. Mupomba, 15. James, 17. Jolliffe, 18. Green
