COLCHESTER United's under-18s slumped to a 10-1 home defeat to Millwall, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Watched by Danny and Nicky Cowley, the U's youngsters were heavily beaten by a rampant Lions side.

With most of the second years still out on loans there were only two second-year starters, four first years and five under-16s in the U's side, with four more youngsters on the bench.

For the first 40 minutes, Colchester were well in the game and were level at 1-1 but things began to unravel in the closing six minutes of the first half.

Millwall went ahead after 11 minutes when Elias Mansor netted a first-time shot, after Frankie Maciocia played the ball in from the left.

O’Boyle was then denied by keeper Harrison Chamberlain before Colchester equalised on 26 minutes.

The Millwall keeper ran out to the touchline and Jamie Arnold eluded him, crossed the ball in and after a touch by Sabah, it was Rashaad Douglas who made it 1-1.

But Millwall restored their lead on 39 minutes when Mansor crossed from the left and Frankie Maciocia arriving from the right put the chance away.

Then from Kavalli Heywood's cross from the left, Maciocia rifled in a third, three minutes later.

And it was 4-1 when Heywood shot just inside Chamberlain's right hand post.

Just before the break, Colchester went close when Arnold’s effort went just wide of the near post after Douglas played the ball in.

But Millwall made it 5-1 just before the hour when from a ball in from the left, Elidon O'Boyle converted in off the underside of the bar.

O'Boyle then turned in a ball from the right for Millwall's sixth before a foul in the box on Heywood by Elkanah Akor saw him put away the resultant spot-kick.

And it was 7-1 when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul in the box and Heywood converted, to complete his hat-trick on 71 minutes.

Arnold, who had worked tirelessly upfront, took the ball around the keeper but a defender then cleared the ball from the goalmouth.

A fine solo goal by Jack Howland made it 9-1 on 76 minutes before Millwall reached double figures seven minutes later.

A ball in from the left was side footed home by O'Boyle to complete his hat-trick.

With the scoreline at ten, this was the worst-ever U's academy result, surpassing the 9-0 loss at Coventry City on February 11, 2017 again where a young team had been sent up to play.

Colchester U18: Harrison Chamberlain, Elkanah Akor, Harvey Duggins, Fela Abidkun, Donte Frank, Alex Kokoshi (sub trialist), Alamin Kosoko (sub James Sasere), Daniel Banjoko (sub Istan Henry), Jamie Arnold (sub Ryan Numbo), Burak Sabah, Rashaad Douglas. Sub (not used): Jayden Peglar.