Colchester United beat Tranmere Rovers in League Two

Joe Taylor's well-taken 11th-minute strike and substitute Bradley Ihionvien's late goal sealed a deserved three points for the U's, after a dominant display at a humid JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester carved out countless chances and only the form of goalkeeper Luke McGee prevented the hosts' margin of victory from being greater.

The U's had 27 shots on goal - 12 of which were on target - a statistic that illustrates their overall dominance in the match.

Colchester made three changes to the side that lost at Walsall.

Recent signings Zach Mitchell and Cameron McGeehan were both handed their U’s debuts, while Al-Amin Kazeem made his first start of the season.

Colchester made a bright start and Samson Tovide was denied what looked like a certain goal in the fifth minute by Dan Pike's excellent defensive intervention, after Jayden Fevrier had done well to pick him out in the area.

But the U’s did take the lead in the 11th minute through Joe Taylor, who coolly dinked the ball past keeper Luke McGee and in after Arthur Read had done brilliantly to win the ball and pick out the striker’s run with a superb pass.

Tranmere reminded the hosts of their threat soon after when Colchester goalkeeper Owen Goodman did well to parry Pike's fierce effort and then grab hold of the ball at the second attempt.

But the U’s were worthy of their lead and Read’s effort was easily saved by McGee, while the lively Fevrier did well to work himself an opportunity on the edge of the visitors' box before blasting over the bar.

Colchester continued to press for a second and Noah Chilvers was denied by McGee at his near post after Read had picked out his run, following some flowing football by the U’s.

Debutant McGeehan's near-post effort is blocked after Fevrier had done brilliantly to go past his man in the area and pick him out, while Tovide was just unable to properly connect with Read's fine curled ball into the six-yard box.

The opportunities kept coming for Colchester, before half-time.

Fevrier showed great skill before drilling in a low shot that was saved by the legs of McGee and Tovide fired into the side netting after intercepting a backpass, before in first-half stoppage-time the teenage striker saw his shot from the edge of the area fly inches past the post, after Kazeem had done well to pick him out.

There was still time for Sam Taylor's excellent first-time volley to whistle just past the post for the visitors on the stroke of half-time, as Colchester went in at the break ahead.

Colchester almost doubled their lead on the hour when Fevrier turned brilliantly in the area before firing in a shot that is straight down the throat of McGee who saved.

Tovide was denied at the near post by McGee, who then saved Taylor's effort with his legs after the U's striker had broken clear of the Tranmere defence after winning possession.

Tranmere still had their moments and substitute Charlie Jolley shot wastefully wide of the target after being picked out in the area by Taylor.

But the U's still looked the more likely to score the game's next goal and substitute Jay Mingi fired over from a good position, after Fevrier had done brilliantly to set him up in the area.

Colchester were the better team throughout but with their advantage only being one goal, there was always a danger that Tranmere could snatch something from the match.

But Colchester finally doubled their lead in the 87th minute when Ihionvien followed up to score on the line, after John Akinde's deflected effort had looped into his path.

It was fully deserved for the U's, following a convincing performance.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Hall, Mitchell, Egbo, Kazeem (sub Greenidge, 83), Read (sub Bandeira, 72), McGeehan (sub Mingi, 57), Chilvers, Fevrier, Taylor (sub Ihionvien, 83), Tovide (sub Akinde, 83).

Substitutes (not used): Thomas, Smith.

Tranmere Rovers: McGee, Davies, Turnbull, Morris (sub Apter, 90), Hendry (sub Wood, 71), Merrie, Taylor (sub Hawkes, 71), Yarney, Pike (sub Jolley, 55), Jennings, Dennis (sub McAlear, 55).

Substitutes (not used): Walker, Murphy.

Goals: Colchester: Taylor (11), Ihionvien (87).

Bookings: Colchester: Hall (unsporting behaviour, 15), Tovide (unsporting behaviour, 45). Tranmere: Hendry (unsporting behaviour, 28), Davies (foul, 39), Jennings (foul, 44), Pike (foul, 47).

Referee: Declan Bourne.

Attendance: 3,474 (185 Tranmere fans).