COLCHESTER UNITED U18 5

CHESHUNT U18 4

FA Youth Cup first round

COLCHESTER United's under-18s came from 3-0 down to see off stubborn Cheshunt and make progress in the FA Youth Cup, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's made an awful start when they conceded after just 13 seconds, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Rob Howard was dispossessed by George Smith who lifted the ball over the head of Colchester keeper George Phillips and into the net.

And Cheshunt went further ahead after 15 minutes through Tariq Bakkali, whose cross-shot at an angle deflected massively off George Keys and looped into the net.

Dean Ager was denied by keeper Hobbs and Andre Hasanally's effort hit the top of the bar and went over, before Cheshunt went 3-0 up just after the half hour.

Tola Showumni knocked a long ball past keeper Phillips as he raced out of his area and U's defender Ollie Kensdale was only able to put the ball into his own net.

Colchester were shell-shocked but pulled a goal back four minutes before half-time when Callum Jones scored from the spot, after Ollie Sims had been fouled in the box.

And the U's were boosted by a second goal in first-half stoppage-time when Joseph-Forino turned a low cross into his own net to make it 3-2, at the interval.

Colchester got back on level terms after 57 minutes when Noah Chilvers drove a left-foot shot into the net, after the ball was cleared to the edge of the box.

And after Bakkali’s effort had hit the top of the bar, the U's were ahead for the first time in the tie at the midway point in the second half.

Cheshunt keeper Hobbs grasped at thin air when coming to collect Sims' cross, allowing Ager to cut across the edge of the box and fire home.

With their noses now in front, Colchester looked to finish the game off and Ager beat the offside calls to calmly slide a shot into the net for 5-3, with 17 minutes remaining.

But if the U's thought that they had the game won, Joseph-Forino hooked home to set up a close finish, with nine minutes remaining.

Hobbs denied Hasanally and although Phillips denied Bakkali’s drive at his near post, Colchester progressed after a thriller.

Colchester United U18: Phillips, Madley, Kensdale, Keys, Hasanally (sub Cornish), Howard, Ager (sub Michaels), Anderson, Chilvers, Sims, Jones (sub Mudd). Substitutes (not used): Clarke, Tricker.