By BRIAN WALLER

BRISTOL CITY U23s 2 COLCHESTER UTD U23s 3

Professional Development League Two

COLCHESTER United's under-23s made the long journey to Weston-Super-Mere to face Bristol City at the Optima Stadium and it proved a successful trip as they made it two Professional Development League Two wins in a row.

The game began very well for them as they took a third minute lead when a Freddie Hinds’ pass fed Noah Chilvers down the right and he fired a shot into the home net.

However, the lead lasted just eight minutes as Sam Pearson was fouled just inside the box by Michael Fernandes and City's Marcus Day drove the resulting penalty kick into the net.

The hosts went close to a second when a Tommy Conway shot had to be held by keeper Callum Coulter, but Colchester took a strong grip on the match with two quick goals.

First came from a cross by Chilvers that was prodded home by captain Matt Weaire, before an Ollie Sims corner was fired through a crowd of players by Cameron James to make it 3-1 after 25 minutes.

It was almost 4-1 when Fernandes broke into the home box, but keeper Lochlan Robertson got down to his left to make the good save from a well-struck shot and Colchester had to settle for a two goal advantage at the break.

The home team did get back in the match on 65 minutes when, after good work by Ricardo Rees, Sam Pearson cut between a couple of defenders before sending a low effort into the bottom corner of the net to trim the deficit.

Boosted by the goal, City went close again and a long-range effort had to be tipped around the post by Robertson, but although the home team continued to pose problems they failed to capitalise on the chances they had as the U's held on to win 3-2 .

Colchester United: Callum Coulter, Miguel Scarlet, Matt Weaire, Ollie Kendale, Ryan Clampin, Cameron James, Noah Chilvers, Dean Ager, Freddie Hinds, Michael Fernandes, Ollie Sims. Subs: Luke Ige, Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, Danny Collinge, Chandler Hallett, Callum Anderson.