COLCHESTER UNITED 3

BOLTON WANDERERS 6

Under-18 Professional Development League

COLCHESTER United's under-18s fell to a heavy home defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers.

The Northern Division league leaders took the lead after two minutes when Cameron Moore followed up to score, after his initial shot had been blocked.

Luca Navarro came close to doubling the visitors' lead and Luke McCormick drove his shot over the bar, before the U's started to threaten.

Alejandro Patino's effort went just wide of the far post on the half hour mark, before the hosts equalised four minutes later.

Ollie Sims got the ball and ran strongly down the right before holding off opponents and shooting past keeper James Aspinall.

And Colchester took the lead, just four minutes later.

After a free-kick had been conceded, a square ball allowed Max Maughn to advance and coolly shot past the keeper.

Colchester went in ahead at the break after an entertaining first half but the visitors were in no mood to lose, after their long five-hour trip down to Essex.

It was soon 2-2 as a ball came in from the right and a good turn by McCormick saw him beat keeper Luca Collins away to his left.

And Bolton soon took the lead as Luca Navarro converted three minutes later, following Moore's cross into the centre.

The U’s were given a lifeline back into the match just after the hour when Sims broke in on the right edge of the box and fell under Jordan Boon's challenge, for a penalty.

Bolton were not convinced by the decision and probably felt justice was done when Sims’ spot kick smacked the keeper’s left hand post and came out again.

And Bolton extended their lead when a corner was flicked on and touched into the net from close range by Moore.

It was 5-2 with ten minutes remaining when Kennedy won a challenge and the unmarked Navarro escaped down the left and converted.

On the 90-minute mark, Bolton substitute Matthew Barnes added a sixth goal for his side, scoring from the rebound.

And although Noah Chilvers converted a stoppage-time penalty for Colchester after Sims had been fouled by Connell in the box, it was Bolton's day.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Collins, Michaels, Madley (sub Godward), Kensdale (sub Kennedy), Stone (sub Bailey), Steward, Maughn, Krasniqi, Chilvers, Patino, Sims. Substitutes (not used): West, Donnel.