Colchester United under-18s beaten by Coventry City

The U's got off to the worst possible start at Florence Park when they conceded twice within the first ten minutes.

Colchester fell behind after three minutes when Morgan Crowther scored from close range, after a throw-in had been flicked on.

And Coventry doubled their lead six minutes later following Lewis White's towering back-post header.

Colchester got back into the game eight minutes later through Tom Stagg, who scored with a precise left-foot shot from the edge of the box after Todd Miller had burst down the right and pulled the ball back.

But their hopes of a recovery were brief as White stooped to head in George Hunt's cross at the back post to restore Coventry's two-goal lead, four minutes later.

Most of Colchester's best home play came from Miller and coming back inside onto his left foot, he forced Coventry keeper Tom Billson to save down by his left-hand post.

The U's finished the first half brightly and Billson denied Kai Redgrave but City went in at the break ahead.

Stagg had two shots in quick succession blocked by defenders, as the second half progressed.

But Crowther came close to extending Coventry's lead when he was just unable to turn the ball home at the far post.

Colchester continued to battle well though and Redgrave flicked his shot just wide, following substitute Tom Pinyoun's fine cross.

The U's defender Gene Kennedy had a penalty shout rejected when he tumbled in the box.

But shortly after Dylan Fixter's fierce low left-foot free-kick had eluded everyone in the box and sailed wide of the far post, the Sky Blues wrapped up victory with three minutes remaining.

After another right wing cross, Crowther scored from close range.

Colchester United U18: Collins, Fouche, Kennedy, Kane, Miller, Thomas, Miranda, Tunbridge (sub Redfearn), Asare-Williams (sub Pinyoun), Redgrave, Stagg. Subs (not used): Cracknell, Tedaldi.