U's suffer first pre-season defeat (From Gazette)

U's suffer first pre-season defeat

4:51pm Saturday 31st July 2010 in

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Colchester United conceded a late goal to suffer their first pre-season defeat at npower League Two side Aldershot Town this afternoon.

Substitute Danny Hylton struck from long range to give the Shots a 2-1 win, after the U's Ashley Vincent had cancelled out Marvin Morgan's opener in the first half, at the Recreation Ground.

With first-choice keeper Ben Williams absent due to his wife being in hospital having the couple's first baby, Colchester started with Mark Cousins in goal.

Both Magnus Okuonghae and Steven Gillespie returned to the starting line-up, after being rested for the U's previous two friendlies, as boss John Ward opted for the 4-3-3 formation he has used so regularly over pre-season.

With Clive Platt having left for Coventry City, Kayode Odejayi was tasked with the role of spearheading the Colchester attack, supported by Vincent and Steven Gillespie.

The U's fell behind just before the 20-minute mark, as Aldershot became the first team to score against the U's in pre-season.

Former Colchester midfielder Luke Guttridge's slide-pass to Morgan allowed him to turn before sending a fine left foot shot past Cousins.

But Colchester were back on level terms just before the half hour, as Morgan quickly turned from hero to villain for the Shots.

The big striker inexplicably headed Lloyd James' deep corner back across goal, allowing Vincent to convert spectacularly from close range.

Okuonghae was fortunate not to score an own goal before half-time when his headed back-pass almost sailed into his own net.

The second half was a more even affair, with few opportunities and a succession of substitutions slowing the tempo of the game.

Morgan should have done better when he was sent through by Anthony Straker only to get the ball caught under his feet, while Odejayi and Brian Wilson both went close for the U's.

However, substitute Hylton grabbed the winner, playing a one-two before drilling a low shot past Cousins from more than 20 yards.

For a full match report and all of the latest U's news, see Monday's Gazette.

Colchester United: Cousins, Wilson, Okuonghae (Baldwin, 69), Reid, Tierney (sub Bender, 46), James (Wordsworth, 69), Bond (sub Izzet, 58), Perkins (sub Henderson, 58), Gillespie, Vincent, Odejayi. Substitutes (not used): Beevers, Hackney, White, Heath, Pentney (gk).