COLCHESTER United's under-21s were heavily beaten 5-0 at home by Southampton in the Premier League Cup, writes BRIAN WALLER.

After a success in their first group game of this season’s Premier League Cup at the JobServe Community Stadium, the second match did not go too well.

Colchester were still in the match in the minutes before the break but a red card for Marley Marshall Miranda changed all that after half-time.

The U's began the match well with a good early run by Jayden Fevrier but his shot was saved.

Then after Miranda got an early booking the visitors responded and keeper Ted Collins saved Bellis's acrobatic effort.

After some good passing football, Fevrier saw his shot saved with the follow up blocked before setting up Noah Chilvers, whose attempt was also blocked.

Then on 42 minutes, Colchester were reduced to ten men after Miranda received a yellow card.

Gazette:

Things then all changed five minutes after the interval, when Sam Amo Ameyaw released full back Otsen-Taiwo who moved on to give his team the lead.

Colchester made their first change just after the hour mark, with Fevrier replaced by Josh Anifowose.

But Saints doubled their lead on 66 minutes when Jimmy Jay Morgan netted.

After a good break, Bradley Ihionvien shot over the bar before two more quick goals were conceded.

First Sam Amo Ameyaw saw his shot hit the crossbar with a deft chip but Luke Pearce was on hand to put away the rebound, with 20 minutes remaining.

And five minutes later, Southampton made it 4-0 when Jay Morgan netted his second of the afternoon.

The U’s made two further substitutions after that, with Kai Redgrave and Tom Dallison replaced by Lion Bello and Kennedy Mupomba.

But there was still time for Southampton to add a fifth goal as Sam Amo Ameyaw made a superb run from the halfway line to score, with eight minutes left.

With three minutes to go, Ihionvien hit a post and Anifowose's follow up was superbly saved.

And on a day when nothing went right for Colchester, there were late bookings for Chilvers and Mupomba,

Colchester United U21: Ted Collins, Lordon Akolbire, Jay Curran Nichols, Frankie Edwards, Tom Dallison, Kai Redgrave, Noah Chilvers, Marley Marshall Miranda, Ryan Lowe, Jayden Fevrier, Bradley Ihionvien. Used subs: Josh Anfowose, Lion Bello, Kennedy Mupomba.

Subs (not used): Jayden Peglar, Matt Yates.