COLCHESTER United Women progressed to the BBC Essex Women's Cup third round after a 3-2 win at Eastern Region side Southend United Ladies, writes MATT AGER.

The U’s will now host She Can Play Panthers at the Garrison on December 15, following their win.

Colchester went ahead after just 22 seconds through Emily Ager's first-time strike, her first of the season.

Set up by a perfectly-timed through ball from Lindsey Morgan, the left winger outpaced a defender to nestle a finish into the opposite bottom corner and claim the U’s quickest goal on record, so far.

The U’s were quick to punish a stunned backline and doubled their lead in the 11th minute.

A long ball fell nicely for Morgan who delivered an early ball for a waiting Ruby Greenleaf to send a solid finish past the keeper.

Greenleaf almost added a third four minutes later but was denied by a superb full-stretch save.

Southend had their first threat on goal in the 20th minute with an effort that sailed just wide of a post.

But Billie-Jo Williams almost made it 3-0 with a powerful strike that was saved by the keeper, while Niamh Gamble and Karys Paton shut down threats and looked to bypass the midfield with lofted forward balls.

However, a formation change worked well for Southend and their hard work was rewarded in the 38th minute when they scored with a header, after a corner had only been partially cleared.

The U’s looked vulnerable for some time and the Shrimpers equalised six minutes late when their right winger squared across the area for an unmarked striker to side-foot past Owen Hoskin.

With skipper Cassie Craddock-Ball rousing the team from the centre circle, Williams responded well with another trademark run on the wing while Paton was almost gifted with a near-post finish but for quick reactions from her marker, as the sides went in at the break level.

Spurred on by Williams, Colchester pressed in the second half and got their rewards in the 63rd minute.

Williams delivered a squared ball to Greenleaf, who was brought down in the box by the Southend keeper.

Cassie Craddock-Ball duly converted the penalty beyond the keeper’s reach, to restore the U’s lead.

Colchester almost made it 4-2 when Greenleaf was denied by a well-timed challenge.

Another dangerous attack followed a few minutes later, with Williams, Greenleaf, Morgan and Jac Craddock-Ball all involved but the keeper did enough to prevent a fourth goal, as the U's claimed victory.

Colchester Women return to league action on Sunday when they take on Chigwell Women.

Colchester United Women starting XI: Hoskin, Ager, C Craddock-Ball, J Craddock-Ball, Daniels, Gamble, Greenleaf, Morgan, Paton, Pope, Williams. Subs: Cahill, Farrow, Yewman.