FIACRE Kelleher continued his comeback as Colchester United's under-21s ended their losing run with a 2-0 win over Luton Town in the Premier League Cup, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Kelleher, who has been sidelined for two months through injury but played 45 minutes as the U’s youngsters ended a nine-game losing run by winning their third group game, in a match played at the home of Maldon and Tiptree FC.

Colchester almost got off to a perfect start in the first minute when Oscar Thorn’s thumping drive hit the bar and Donnell Thomas was unable to put away the rebound.

However a lead was soon coming when from the second of two quick corners from Ryan Lowe, Ronny Nelson helped the ball goalwards, but it was a miscued second touch by Kelleher which took the ball into the Town net on seven minutes.

 

Thomas had an effort tipped over by keeper James Shea and soon after, a Lowe corner almost went straight into the net, but Shea under some pressure managed to push it clear for another.

Kelleher twice headed wide of the target from set pieces, as the U’s remained on top in the game.

Kelleher was replaced by Bailey Berry at half-time and Colchester doubled their lead, eight minutes after the break.

Thorn's cross was cleared to the edge of the area where Archie Oliver drove it first time into the net.

Colchester went close again when Ronny Nelson's back post header was helped on by Berry, from another Lowe corner but Shea was on hand to collect.

Luton went very close when Claude Kayibanda curled a shot just wide of the far post.

But Colchester almost made it 3-0 when another Lowe corner almost went straight into the net but was scrambled clear after hitting the post.

Thomas then sent fired wide at the near post but a good block by goalkeeper Ted Collins at the near post was a sign of more danger from Luton.

Collins was then down to save from Oliver Lynch and as the game ended, Colchester's Matt Yates was then floored unceremoniously by Jake Burger, who somehow escaped a booking.

It led to a bit of a melee at the final whistle but the U's were victorious.

Colchester United U21: Ted Collins, Matt Yates, Fiacre Kelleher (sub Bailey Berry), Ronny Nelson, Jet Dyer, Oscar Thorn (sub Milton Oni), Gene Kennedy, Ryan Lowe (sub Bayan Aman), Kennedy Mupomba (sub T'aizo Marcel Dilaver), Donnell Thomas, Archie Oliver. Sub (not used): Harrison Chamberlain.