HAYDEN Mullins praised the professionalism of his Colchester United side after they beat West Ham United's youngsters to secure their first win in the Papa John's Trophy.

Armando Dobra's seventh-minute strike was enough to secure the U's a 1-0 victory over the Hammers' under-21 side, in their second Group A in the competition.

It was Colchester's first home win of the season and head coach Mullins, who was back after recovering from a bout of Covid, was pleased with what he saw from his side.

Mullins said: "These games can always be a bit of a banana skin.

"They're a good outfit and a very athletic side.

"It was important that we approached the game in the right manner.

"We had to have a professional attitude and I was happy with the character - it was first class.

"It was a fantastic finish for the goal.

"It was a well-worked goal and great for Mando (Dobra) to get himself a goal, because he does a lot of work for the team.

"He carries us up the pitch and he's very bright - it was lovely to see him score.

"We knew that the young attacking lads we played would be nice and bright.

"I thought Chambers and Eastman were fantastic at the back and they marshalled it really well, along with Brendan in midfield.

"It was about the character and the tempo.

"We wanted to attack the game which I felt we did and the first half in particular was very pleasing and it was a good performance."

Gazette:

Colchester handed a debut to teenager Chay Cooper, who joined the club earlier this month after being released by Spurs this summer.

Cooper provided the assist for Dobra's winner and Mullins was pleased with the midfielder's contribution.

"Chay's very bright - he's a lovely technician," said the U's boss.

"We signed him in the summer from Tottenham and he's a very good addition to the under-23s.

"I just wanted someone in that midfield alongside Brendan and Noah who can play a bit higher.

"He's similar to an Alan Judge-type player who wants to get the ball behind their midfield line and wants to create.

"He' a very good young technical player and I thought he started the game very, very well."

Colchester will head into their final Papa John's Trophy group game at Ipswich Town next month with a chance of progressing in the competition, following their win over West Ham under-21s.

The U's fielded plenty of youngsters against the Hammers including the likes of Cooper, Samson Tovide and Junior Tchamadeu and Mullins says that was vital.

He added: "In both of the Papa John's Trophy games, we've been young.

"It was important that we give our boys a chance, with the bright young talent that we've got.

"It's important that we blood them and give them an opportunity with some of the more senior pros.

"We were unlucky to lose against Gillingham in our opening game in the competition.

"We were quite a young side and we got done right at the end.

"But we're still very much alive and it'll be a good game at Ipswich.

"We played them in pre-season and we have a lot of boys from Ipswich, so we'll see how that goes."

Colchester are back in action this weekend when they host Salford City in League Two.