COLCHESTER UNITED U15 3

SOUTHAMPTON U15 3

(AFTER EXTRA-TIME, COLCHESTER WON 5-3 ON PENALTIES)

Floodlit Shield Area Final

by BRIAN WALLER

COLCHESTER United's under-15s were spot on in a penalty shoot-out after seeing off their Southampton counterparts to reach the Floodlit Shield final.

Paul Abrahams' side progressed on spot-kicks after an exciting had finished 3-3 after extra-time at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, on Saturday night.

A nervy start saw Colchester go 2-0 down after five minutes.

But the U's then dominated, with Tom Stagg denied by the keeper as he saved up by the angle of bar and post.

But on 17 minutes, England under-15 international Harvey Sayer stormed forward from left-back and drilled a fine strike into the far corner of the net, to reduce the deficit.

Colchester continued to be on top after that, with Todd Miller a constant threat down the right and Sayer ever willing to shoot from any range.

The U's trailed at the break but equalised midway into the second half, thanks to Sayer's great strike for his second of the game.

And just as the contest looked to be going into extra-time, Colchester took the lead.

Miller found space on the right and although the keeper saved well, Dylan Gray put away the rebound.

However three minutes into injury-time, Southampton levelled the tie.

A free-kick cleared everyone after being sent forward from the halfway line and ended up in the U's net.

It meant extra-time and in the first period, keeper Hayden West tipped an effort onto the bar.

That was crucial and later on, he became the home hero in the penalty shoot-out.

West saved Southampton's first penalty and after Thomas, Steward, Godward, Sayer and Miller all converted, the hosts progressed to a final against either Derby County or Sunderland.

Despite their under-15 ages, almost all of the Colchester squad have played under-18s, this season.