COLCHESTER United's under-21s were beaten 7-1 by Southampton in the Premier League Cup at St Mary's, writes BRIAN WALLER.

After a heavy 5-0 home loss to the same opponents six days ago in the same competition, the U’s youngsters travelled to the South Coast to face them again.

Dave Huzzey's side, which included Ryan Clampin, began the match well and in fact took the lead with a goal.

Bradley Ihionvien put them ahead after stretching out a leg after being found by Jayden Fevrier.

But four goals conceded in a ten-minute spell just before half-time changed it all around.

 

Sam Bellis netted the first, a ball from the tight, saw him coolly guided his shot low to the keeper’s left after 33 minutes and the third with a penalty ten minutes later, with one between by Will Merry a rebound put away after the initial shot from a team mate was saved.

Bellis then completed his hat-trick just before the break, a great curled effort from the left edge of the box, a minute before the break.

Trailing 4-1 at half-time another heavy defeat looked on the cards for Colchester.

Soon after half-time the hosts scored a fifth goal from Luke Pearce, a through ball not cut out.

A further goal came from Jay Robinson, who was fed by a pass into the box and he slipped a shot under the body of the U’s keeper just after the hour.

And Merry added the seventh, racing clear of the Colchester defence with 11 minutes remaining to complete the hosts' big win.

Colchester United U21: Peglar, Akolbire, Clampin, Bello (sub Redgrave, 46), Lowe, Curran-Nicholls, Fevrier, Anifowose, Ihionvien, Mupomba (sub Oni, 55), Edwards.