ARCHIE Oliver scored twice as Colchester United's under-21s claimed victory over Cardiff City at a windy Park Drive, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's claimed a first Professional Development League under-21 win since August 2023 after 14 winless matches and are now unbeaten in their last seven league and cup games.

Liam Bailey's side included three trialists in their team for the second meeting in a matter of days between the sides, as they had recently drawn 1-1 down in South Wales.

There was a brief pause on 12 minutes as one of the Cardiff defenders needed treatment and on the half hour mark, a couple of visitors' shots were blocked on the edge of the box.

But most of the drama happened just before half-time, when the U's scored twice in a couple of minutes.

Colchester went ahead when Oliver was fouled in the box and dusted himself down to take the resultant penalty and send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.

 

Then Oliver received a pass and spun on the edge of the box, before scoring with a half volley.

At the break, Colchester replaced one of the trialists with Max Jolliffe.

On 68 minutes, U's goalkeeper Tom Smith had to make his first save but it prove not to be well hit.

Colchester made another change four minutes later when Kennedy Mupomba replaced the injured T'aizo Marcel Dilaver.

Although Cardiff did threaten a bit more, the first real shot of note came on 90 minutes when Smith made a save and the visitors then hit the crossbar but Colchester claimed victory.

Colchester United U21: Tom Smith, Bayan Aman, Trialist, Frankie Edwards, Bailey Berry, T'aizo Marcel Dilaver, Trialist, Trialist, Hakeem Sandah, Archie Oliver, Oscar Thorn.

Subs: Kennedy Mupomba, Makaya James, Max Jolliffe, Kaleel Green, Ted Collins.

Cardiff City: Joe Thomas, Jai Semenyo, Dylan Lawlor, Freddie Cook, Luey Giles, Dakarai Mafico, Cameron Antwi, Ollie Tanner, Raheem Conte, Troy Perrett, Tan Nyahuhwa. Subs: Luke Armstrong, Daniel Barton, Will Spiers, Morgan Wigley, Finaly Johnson.