Colchester United U21s were taking on Watford U21s on a sunny Tuesday evening at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Liam Bailey named a young squad with a few U18 players featuring, including Milton Oni, Elkanah Akor, Alfie Newby and Max Jolliffe.
The first ten minutes of the clash were scrappy with both teams battling for possession in the middle of the park.
After the twentieth minute mark, the match began to liven up with the U’s creating a couple of decent chances, most notably with Archie Oliver trying to trick Browne in Watford’s goal with a clever free-kick, but his effort flew past the post.
Nonetheless, the midfielder got a chance to deceive the Hornets’ shot-stopper again ten minutes later when Kaleel Green was brought down in the box with the referee instantly pointing to the spot.
Oliver stepped up and comfortably sent Browne the other way, giving Colchester the lead in the process.
The U’s kept dominating and managed to extend their lead two minutes before half-time when Sandah’s blocked shot landed kindly at Kaleel Green’s feet, who then delivered a composed finish from five yards.
This meant that Bailey’s men went in at the break with a two-goal cushion.
Before the start of the second half, Colchester were forced into a change, with Sandah suffering from what looked like a hamstring issue replaced by Max Jolliffe.
The twenty-five minutes that followed left a lot to be desired, with the supporters at the JobServe Community Stadium treated to a battling and scrappy performance.
The U’s were happy defending their advantage, while the visitors failed to cause any serious trouble for Sexton defending Colchester’s goal.
However, it all changed a minute into added time when the visitors managed to reduce the deficit through an own goal, ensuring a stressful ending.
The mood of jubilation quickly changed among the supporters with tension the overriding feeling on what was now a chilly evening.
Nonetheless, despite five long minutes added on, the U’s persisted and secured their third consecutive victory.
Colchester United Starting XI: 1. Sexton, 2. Akor (Trialist, 30’), 4. Aman (F. Edwards, 59’), 5. Terry (C), 6. Lowe, 7. Oliver, 8. Sandah (Jolliffe, 45’), 9. Green (Godziemski, 83’), 11. Trialist, 12. Mupomba (A. Newby, 83’), 14. Oni
Unused subs: None
