COLCHESTER United's youngsters enjoyed a productive mini tour of Italy, writes BRIAN WALLER.
The U's under-18 players took on Torino, Sampdoria and Atalanta during their time in the country.
Ready to go! #ColU #lfetrip pic.twitter.com/ygewsw8pJj
— Colchester United FC Academy (@ColU_Academy) August 10, 2022
Colchester under-18 coach Adam Lewis said: "The players represented club so well.
"They worked hard, gained invaluable experiences and made memories that will last a long time."
The group enjoying a tour around the San Siro #ColU #lfetrip pic.twitter.com/elP1b63nxX
— Colchester United FC Academy (@ColU_Academy) August 6, 2022
Colchester's first match was against Torino and resulted in goals galore, with the teams sharing a ten-goal thriller.
Striker Samson Uwandu had given the U's the lead, by the drinks break.
And further goals came that saw them to a 4-0 half-time lead that came with goals from Uwandu, Jamie Arnold and central defender Frankie Edwards.
Full time @ColU_Official triumph 6-4. Hat trick for Samson Uwandu. Thank you @TorinoFC1906_En for a great game and experience #ColU #lfetrip pic.twitter.com/02Jr4prweS
— Colchester United FC Academy (@ColU_Academy) August 4, 2022
In the second half both teams scored twice as there was a hat-trick goal by Uwandu and T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver scored with a penalty who had made it 6-2.
Torino hit back with two more as Colchester ran out 6-4 winners.
U's squad: Jaime Tedaldi, Matt Yates, Frankie Edwards, Andrew Palmer-Brown, Bailey Lamb, Bradley Chakawa, Max Joliffe, Makhaya James, Ewan Gordon-Clement, Sean Brown, T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver, Jamie Arnold, Jaiden Drakes-Brown, Bayan Aman, Samson Uwandu, Jayden Peglar and Milton Oni.
Another game on #lfetrip and another hat trick! We’ll done @TaizoDilaver #cou pic.twitter.com/RVEL4zKuPb
— Colchester United FC Academy (@ColU_Academy) August 7, 2022
Colchester's next game came against Sampdoria.
It was an even start to the match that saw the first half end 0-0.
However soon after the break, the U’s took the lead from Marcel Dilaver who then scored direct from a corner.
Various subs were made including a change of keeper as Jaime Tedaldi was on for Jayden Peglar.
Late in the game, Dilaver completed his hat-trick, as the U's claimed a 3-0 victory.
#ColU #lfetrip pic.twitter.com/Y5vfh1xQkv
— Colchester United FC Academy (@ColU_Academy) August 10, 2022
Colchester played their final game of their Italian tour on Wednesday when they took on Atalanta.
After a goal-less first half, Sean Brown gave Colchester the lead.
But Atalanta hit back to score twice to win the match.
The hosts began to pass the ball around and equalised with a volley and this later paid off for a winner goal for them.
U's team: Jaime Tedaldi, Matt Yates, Bradley Chakawa, Andrew Palmer Brown, Max Jolliffe, Makhaya James, Bailey Lamb, Oni Milton, T’aizo Marcel Dilaver, Samson Uwandu, Sean Brown. Subs: Jayden Peglar, Ewan Gordon-Clement, Jamie Arnold, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Bayan Aman and Frankie Edwards.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here