COLCHESTER UNITED 1

READING 3

Under-23 Professional Development League Two

COLCHESTER United under-23s' Premier League Cup group opener ended in defeat after they were beaten by Reading, at the JobServe Community Stadium, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Kevin Horlock's youngsters were defeated by the Royals, in their first game in this season's competition.

Bailey Vose tipped Josh Barrett's effort over the bar early on and the U's keeper denied the same player again, as the Royals pressed for an opener.

Vose was then equal to the task when Oliver Pendelbury tried his luck from distance before Colchester threatened, with Eoin McKeown's header tipped over by keeper Anssi Jaakkola.

Reading took the lead three minutes before half-time through Ben House, who cut in from the right onto his left foot before sending a deflected shot into the far corner of the net.

Colchester looked for a way back into the match early in the second half and Jaakkola saved Ryan Gondoh's low shot, while Andrea Hasanally fired his shot over the bar minutes later.

Vose smothered Frost's shot and also twice denied Barrett, as Reading pressed for a second.

It came with 15 minutes remaining through Barrett, who netted with a shot across keeper Vose.

Barrett continued to be a danger and after a pass to the left for House was overhit, he rescued it and from there his shot hit the crossbar.

Vose was down to smother another shot by Barrett minutes later before Reading then added a third goal in the 89th minute.

After the U’s failed to deal with an attack, Tyler Frost shifted the ball onto his right foot and was able to put the chance away.

Colchester did claim a consolation goal in injury-time when Noah Chilvers converted from the spot, after Gondoh had been brought down in the box by Tom McIntyre but it was Reading's night.

Colchester's next game in the Premier League Cup is at Fulham, on November 10.

Colchester United: Vose, Akolbire (sub Sayer), Kensdale (sub Randell), Forino, Kazeem, Cornish, Hasanally, Chilvers, Gondoh, Sims, McKeown (sub Charles).