by BRIAN WALLER

UNDER-23

COLCHESTER UNITED 1

CRYSTAL PALACE 4

Professional Development League

COLCHESTER suffered defeat against the league leaders after taking the lead through Decarrey Sheriff.

They almost fell behind after an under-hit backpass by Will Wright was seized on by Levi Lumeka.

However, he was quickly closed down by U's keeper Nick Hayes.

A Ryan Gondoh pass then fed Sheriff through the centre and he scored his sixth goal in a week, shooting low to the keeper’s left in the 13th minute.

The hosts had the best of the action for most of the first half.

However, the visitors struck back and, after good play on the right, Giovanni McGregor switched the ball to his left, from where Jason Eyenga-Loklio struck home to make it 1-1.

Minutes later, the visitors took the lead as they scored a second goal.

Although the initial attack was halted, the delivery back in from the right saw Nya Kirby glance his header just inside the near post.

After an early second-half chance saw Eli Phipps’ shot saved by keeper Joe Tupper, the visitors quickly made it 3-1. The ball was fed to the right by Eyenga-Lokilo to Sean Robertson, whose pinpoint cross was headed in by Lumeka.

Palace got another as a ball forward slipped under the foot of defender Wright and Jordan Mutch had the easy job of putting it into the net.

Both teams had chances as Phipps’ deflected shot hit the bar and Lumeka volleyed just over.

Team: Nick Hayes, Ollie Kensdale, Will Wright, Paul Rooney, Tarryn Allarakhia, Charley Edge, Ryan Gondoh, Diaz Wright, J J Wilson, Eli Phipps and Decarrey Sheriff. Used subs: Dean Ager, Callum Jones and Noah Chilvers. Unused subs: Dominic Kurasik