Colchester United lost 3-1 away to Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday evening.
Owura Edwards and a Harry Ashfield double put the hosts into a commanding lead at half time, which continued into the second 45 minutes despite a host of changes for the U’s, with a wonder strike by Ronnie Harvey pulling one back for the visitors late on.
Danny and Nicky Cowley made 10 changes to the side that drew with Cheltenham Town in the Sky Bet League Two at the weekend, providing a start for Ben Perry since his injury over a year ago and first appearances this season for Tom Smith, Ronnie Harvey, and Adrian Akande. Smith was between the sticks, Frankie Terry, Jack Tucker, Kuffour Jr, and Kane Vincent-Young made up the back four, Paul Digby, Harvey, and Perry in midfield, with Jaden Williams and Adrian Akande providing the width as Leon Chiwome started up front.
With the opening 15 minutes of the match proving to be a tight affair, both sides enjoyed sights on goal within a minute of each other.
Former U Edwards was sent into space on the left wing for the hosts after Posh played around the Colchester United press on the halfway line. The winger drove a low cross into the box and Harry Leonard turned the ball wide from six yards out.
Almost instantly after, Williams picked up the ball in a wide left position for the U’s and danced between defenders to open sight on Alex Bass’ goal. He curled an effort just around the right post, leaving himself frustrated.
Peterborough found the breakthrough midway through the half. With the U’s under pressure, Smith did well to bat away a dangerous cross. However, the loose ball was sent back into the box, deflected off multiple players in the six yard box, and fell to Edwards who rifled a volley into the underside of the crossbar and behind Smith.
Just three minutes later, Posh doubled their lead. As a blocked cross fell to Edwards, the winger crossed the ball in and Harry Ashfield made a late run from midfield to head the ball past Smith.
The two-goal lead put the hosts on top as they dominated the ball in the U’s half. Smith made an excellent diving save to tip a shot destined for the top corner onto the post but Ashfield was quickest to respond and picked up the ball nearby the touchline. Before the U’s could recover into shape, Ashfield brought the ball away from the line and curled a shot around Smith into the right side-netting of the goal, putting the hosts three goals ahead just before the referee blew for half-time.
The Cowleys, as promised while on-air with BBC Essex pre-match, made a triple substitution at the break. Rob Hunt, Milton Oni, and Kien Connolly replaced Tucker, Perry, and Chiwome as they looked to inject some energy into the team.
The change of personnel also brought a change of shape, as Digby dropped to form a back five. While the tactical adjustment helped shore up the backline after a frustrating finish to the first half, it was Posh who remained on top.
Full back Harley Mills had a dangerous low cross roll through the box untouched and Smith was called into action by Edwards not long after to get a strong hand to another cross.
The second half continued with much of the same dominance by the home side as they forced Smith into multiple saves, including a well-timed dart off his line to smother the ball at the feet of substitute Ethan Williams as he was through on goal.
Against the run of play, Harvey pulled one back for the U’s with an incredible effort from more than 50 yards out. Collecting a loose Posh pass in the centre of the pitch, Harvey travelled just inside their half before seeing Bass off his line and lofting a shot over the goalkeeper and into the top-left corner.
Despite the fantastic strike by Harvey to grab a goal for the U’s, there was too little time to mount the desired comeback. The U’s head back to Essex with a defeat on the road in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy with Luton Town and Ipswich Town U21s still to visit the JobServe Community Stadium in the Group Stage.
Thank you to every one of the 168 U’s who made the journey to Peterborough. A trip to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday is up next for Danny, Nicky and the squad.
Starting XI
Smith, Terry, Tucker (45’), Kuffour Jr, Vincent-Young (63’), Digby, Harvey, Perry (45’), Williams (63’), Akande, Chiwome (45’)