COLCHESTER United's under-18s suffered a heavy 6-3 defeat at the hands of their neighbours Ipswich Town, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Chris Llewellyn's side were on the wrong end of a comprehensive defeat at Town's training ground, in their latest Professional Development League Two match.

Colchester keeper Callum Coulter was in the thick of the action early on, making two good saves.

However, he was unable to prevent Ross Crane from giving Town the lead on the 20-minute mark, with the former Colchester player sending a low left shot into the far corner of the net.

Ipswich dominated most of the rest of the first half and the hosts hit a post before doubling their lead on the half hour.

Under pressure Marley Marshall lost out to Armando Dobra and in trying to then rectify his error, he caught the Ipswich player with a challenge.

Although Dobra kept his feet, the referee gave a penalty which was duly despatched into the away net.

Things then got even worse for Colchester when Idris El Mizouni ran clear of the visitors’ defence and converted, despite Colchester's protestations that Billy Cracknell had been fouled on the halfway line in the build-up to the goal.

Cracknell went to ground and handled the ball but the referee gave Ipswich the free-kick which was taken quickly and eventually led to El Mizouni scoring.

Colchester pulled a goal back on the hour mark through Al-Amin Kazeem who was found on the left and lifted the ball into the goalmouth which sailed over keeper Toby Egan’s head and in.

But Town restored their three-goal cushion soon after through Dobra, who side-stepped an opponent before shooting past keeper Coulter.

The U’s then threatened again as Oyoye Ossie was found on the right and from his cross, Jake Hutchinson header was nodded off the line by Bailey Clements.

Gene Kennedy made it 4-2 with a long-range effort that flew over Egan's head from a fair way out.

But Ipswich added a fifth when Thomas Hughes' curled effort found the far corner of the net, after a ball to the left drew Coulter across and he had attempted to scramble back to his goal.

Colchester scored for a third time through Oyoye Ossie, who bent an effort into the far side of the net.

But Ipswich ensured their final margin of victory was by three goals when Bailey Clements headed in a right-wing corner, to leave Colchester beaten.

COLCHESTER UNITED U18: Coulter, Wind, Fouche, Cracknell, Kazeem, Cornish, Kennedy, Marshall, Hutchinson, Ossie, Hasanally. Substitutes: Stagg, Hallett, Akolbire, Gray, Pettit.