COLCHESTER United under-21s were beaten 4-1 at Swansea City, in their latest Professional Development League clash, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U’s travelled to South Wales after losing to leaders Queens Park Rangers at home 6-3 on Monday, their seventh league defeat in a row.

The hosts were in much better form as they easily beat Ipswich Town 4-0 on Tuesday with a hat-trick by Kristian Fletcher and one by Kyrell Wilson.

Last season, the U’s took the lead there with a goal by Kai Redgrave but the home side equalised before half-time and then had a strong second half and won 4-1.

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On 12 minutes the home keeper Archie Matthews was denying Kaan Bennett before Colchester’s keeper Harrison Chamberlain pushed away a shot from distance by Wilson.

After holding off four opponents Fletcher shot straight at the visiting keeper.

Things were going all right until around the half hour mark when Colchester conceded three times in seven minutes.

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Swansea's first came from Charlie Veevers on 29 minutes with Fletcher soon adding a second, four minutes later.

It got even worse for Colchester when there was a second goal by Fletcher and a third for the Swans, on 36 minutes. At this stage things looked bleak for the visitors.

At the break Liam Smith and Harry Jones replaced Wilson and captain Filip Lissah, for Swansea.

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Just before the hour mark, Fletcher completed his second hat-trick inside a week.

Colchester grabbed a consolation through Bennett on 66 minutes, but it was Swansea's day.

The U’s under-21s are on their travels again next week when they visit Bristol City on Tuesday, weather permitting.

Colchester's first team are without a game, this weekend.