Colchester United U21s beat Sheffield Wednesday U21s 2-1 at the JobServe Community Stadium on Friday night in the Premier League Professional Development League.
Milton Oni put the U’s ahead in the first half but he saw his opener cancelled out by a fortunate goal from Harry Chadbourne for Wednesday. However, substitute Brume Okuku was the hero, grabbing a late winner for the U’s on home turf.
The visitors started quickest, with Wednesday’s Joel Akpobi putting a shot wide from a decent opportunity.
Unfortunately, Wednesday’s Will McPartland was forced off the pitch with an injury after just 12 minutes, being replaced by Charlie Liddell.
However, it was the U’s who dealt the first blow through Oni. With the home side having grown into the game and putting pressure onto the Wednesday defence, the U’s put the ball into the box and Oni was on hand to get onto the end of it and sweep a shot past the goalkeeper.
Alex Faux came very close to double the U’s lead 10 minutes later. As Ronnie Harvey whipped a free-kick in from the right, the defender positioned himself well for a free header, which flashed just over the crossbar.
Unfortunately, their lead was not to last until half time. With just minutes to go before the break, Enoch Anson gave possession back to Wednesday outside the box and they worked it wide to Harry Chadbourne. The winger put a looping cross into the box which, between its trajectory and the nighttime conditions, caught out the U’s Trialist goalkeeper and nestled into the side netting at the far post.
The possession stats for the second half were fairly even, but the U’s certainly enjoyed the larger share of the chances in front of goal. Olufela Abidekun had a header from six yards out but put it wide of the post and Harvey forced a save out of Wednesday goalkeeper Jack Phillips after he drove into the box and shot from a tight angle. Kaion Lisbie also proved to be a dangerous asset on the right wing with his pace as the game played out.
Lennox Emery came close to getting a second for the home side. Travelling into the box, he brought the ball back onto his right foot, opened up his body, and curled an effort towards the bottom-left corner, but Phillips dove and stretched to palm away.
The U’s finally found their winner in the last 10 minutes of the match. After winning a corner, Harvey swung a cross towards the back post and substitute Brume Okuku was in position to guide the ball back towards goal and into the back of the net with a swooping header.
Starting XI
Trialist, Anson, Abidekun, Faux, Mombo, Oni (63’), Harvey, Emery (92’), Akande (92’), Lisbie (86’), Adesanya (63’)
Subs