COLCHESTER United's under-21s were beaten 3-0 at Wigan Athletic in the Professional Development League this afternoon, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The hosts began well at Christopher Park and looked dangerous on the counter attack, against Matthew Etherington's U's side.

A fine move saw the trialist curl a shot which was saved by the Colchester keeper, who stopped the ball down by the near post.

 

However, it did not take the Latics long to take the lead as their pressure paid off with a goal by Youssef Chentouf, on 14 minutes.

Joe Adams ran at the Colchester defence before finding his right-back.

Just before the half hour mark, Gene Kennedy curled a shot just over the bar.

Then from a Chay Cooper corner, Harry Beadle was heading wide.

As the home team came again four minutes before half-time, Chentouf and Johnny Smith combined and built down the right before finding Kai Payne, who fired just over from 20 yards out.

The Latics struck again just before half-time as their trialist was on target, on 43 minutes.

This came after some very good build up play between Josh Stones and Smith.

 

Wigan went in at half-time in control and on 56 minutes, the home team won possession and Smith found Stones, who took a touch but his effort went just over the bar.

On the hour mark, Harry McHugh raced out of defence, ran at the U’s back lines and from 30 yards out, let fly with a shot that forced a good save from the Colchester keeper.

T'aizo Marcel Dilaver cut inside but Ethan Mitchell read the situation well to block the goalbound effort.

Then a cut back to Kennedy Mupomba was also saved by Corran.

Right on full time, Wigan wrapped up their victory. 

Stones’ effort was saved by the keeper and the ball rebounded off a post before Elijah Igehon put away the rebound, to seal the Latics' win.