COLCHESTER United's under-18s suffered a 5-0 home defeat to Peterborough United at Florence Park, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's youngsters were defeated by Posh, four days after losing to the same team in the Professional Development Cup semi-final. 

The final scoreline did not look very likely, after an evenly contested first half.

However, four goals conceded in less than 15 minutes at the start of the second half was to be the hosts' downfall.

Peterborough began the match well and in the first minute, Reuben Marshall broke clear but his shot was deflected wide, before Oliver Rose immediately saw his effort diverted over the bar.

When James Dornelly got away down the right, Harrison Chamberlain was tipping the ball away.

It was eight minutes before Colchester had an opening but when Freddie Price crossed from the left, it was easily cleared.

After a great midfield tackle by Max Jollife, Kennedy Mupomba and Price linked well but the former's shot was rather wayward and wide of the right hand post.

After a lunging challenge by Andrew Palmer Brown on Harley Mills, he was booked.

From Mills' resulting free-kick, Chamberlain under pressure did well to push the ball around the post.

From Dornelly’s cross, Marshall's shot on the turn went just wide and after a foul by Makaya James, Mills’ free kick was diverted over the bar. A

fter manoeuvring his way clear of a defence, Price was away, but shot wide of the right hand post.

From a home short corner, keeper Jake West was down well to smother the flick towards the goal. 

The U’s went so close to taking the lead but West did well to first save from Mupomba and then blocked Ewan Gordon-Clement's follow-up, after Price created the opening.

After the referee deemed there to be a foul by Alfie Newby on Marshall, the U’s central defender was booked.

Chamberlain did well to push away Mills' free-kick as the ball bounced up awkwardly in front of him, before Palmer-Brown went on a surging run forward and after a one-two with Gordon-Clement, fired wide.

After a goal-less first half, the first chance of the second half was for Colchester and saw the trialist and Mupomba release Gordon-Clement but a good block on his shot made it easy for the keeper.

But Peterborough took the lead two minutes after the break when Reuben Marshall fired home, after a stray pass had fallen into his path.

And Peterborough doubled their lead five minute later when Harley Mills swung a corner straight into the far corner of the net.

It was 3-0 after 56 minutes when Ben Arthur helped Mills' left wing corner into the net.

And Posh's fourth goal was almost identical to their third, again scored by Arthur.

The visitors' trialist fired just wide of Chamberlain's left hand post before Peterborough wrapped up their win with 12 minutes remaining.

A poor kick out by the home keeper saw Marcon square to Tyler Winters, to seal Posh's win.

Colchester United: Harrison Chamberlain, Elakanah Akor, Andrew Palmer-Brown, Alfie Newby (sub Fela Abidekun), Makhaya James, Max Jollife, Milton Oni, Kennedy Mupomba (sub Samson Uwandu), Freddie Price (Alamin Kosoko), Trialist (sub Barak Sabah), Ewan Gordon-Clement. Sub (not used): Jayden Peglar.