A convincing 6-2 win for our U18 over struggling Colchester at a wet Landore today.
In truth, Colchester got off very lightly. They not only scored with their only shots during the game, they also escaped a real hiding. Morgan Bates got 3 and could’ve got more. Ramon Rees-Siso must also be wondering how he didn’t get on the scoresheet today.
We operated a fluid 4-4-2 setup: Sam Seager; Osian Williams, Brogan Popham, Ben Phillips (s – Wahab Ojetero 68m), Callum Deacon (captain); Aidan Higgins, Harlan Perry, Milo Robinson (s – Kiel Higginson 78m), Caio Ifans (s – Callum Jones 68m); Morgan Bates, Ramon Rees-Siso.
Unused subs: Isaac Dudding, Billy Clarke.
Colchester looked quite poor from the off – goalkeeper Sexton flapping at a number of high balls. Morgan Bates spurned 2 early chances and both Rees-Siso and Aidan Higgins went close. The latter seized on a through ball to calmly lob the keeper to put the Swan in front on 18 minutes.
Rees-Siso hit the bar with a cross as we continued to put the visitors under pressure. Wide men Higgins and Ifans were probing intelligently and it was clear our team was playing with a great deal of confidence and energy.
Bates opened his account when the keeper conveniently half punched another high ball straight to him, allowing our centre forward to hook home from close range.
Completely against the run of play, Colchester fashioned a rare and decisive break, Martin splitting our defence with a simple through ball that right winger Drysdale latched onto score with a clean strike to get the visitors back in the game.
Even so, Ifans and Bates both had opportunities to punish another goalkeeping gift before the sides left for half-time, with the Swans leading by just the single goal.
10 minutes into the 2nd half, Milo Robinson steadied himself and struck a fine low shot from inside the area to pull us 3-1 ahead, Rees-Siso being the provider. 5 minutes later Bates was on target again from close range when he converted Williams’s cross.
Swansea continued to breach a beleaguered U’s defence, Callum Deacon watching his floated free kick sail past everybody, only to bounce and hit the bar.
Morgan Bates clinched his hat-trick, once more from close range after clever creative play by Rees-Siso and Higgins.
Colchester got a quite unwarranted penalty a couple of minutes later following what looked like an entirely clean challenge inside our area by sub Ojetero on Colchester’s Blake. Referee Zak Demetriades is a familiar face here and has some form for unusual decisions.
Further chances followed for the Swans – Bates passing up a couple more chances to add to his tally before Callum Jones finished a darting run into the box with a smart right footed finish to close the scoring.
Colchester were a very weak outfit, although you can only play the team in front of you. Our youngsters rose to the occasion and delivered some really enterprising football. Harlan Perry was the standout performer with an influential performance that was both skilful and tough. Rees-Siso and Higgins shone and at the rear Brogan Popham and Ben Phillips were rock solid in a strong back 4.
Colchester coach was one-time West Ham defender Elliott Ward.
Scoring: Higgins 1-0 18m; Bates 2-0 28m; Drysdale 2-1 41m; Robinson 3-1 55m; Bates 4-1 60m; Bates 5-1 82m; Martin (pen) 5-2 84m; Jones 6-2 90+3m.