COLCHESTER United's under-18s saw off Luton Town 3-2 in their final Premier League Cup group game, writes BRIAN WALLER.
The U's eventually secured a narrow win but having lost their first two matches, they were unlikely to qualify for the next round, even if they had won.
Jack Lorentzen-Jones fired wide for Luton early on while Jamie Odegah was then denied as goalkeeper Harrison Chamberlain saved down by his right hand post.
At the other end, Ewan Gordon-Clement was foiled by Luton keeper Oliver Pipa, who saved well.
Colchester were now more in the game and scored three goals in 11 minutes.
Good work down the right by Alex Kokoshi saw him find Burak Sabah who planted a left shot into the far corner of the net, on 21 mins.
Then seven minutes later, Samson Uwandu's amazing dribble saw him beat about four players before he was fouled inside the box and he dusted himself down to convert the resultant spot-kick.
Kai Martin then curled a free-kick from the left edge of the box around the wall and into the far corner to make it 3-0.
Chamberlain saved well from left-back Benedict Denagr and Xavier-Jones fired wide of the far post before the visitors were back in it, just before half-time.
Chamberlain caught Odegah in the area and Jack Lorentzen-Jones scored from the spot.
Sam Anderson hit the inside of a post for Luton before the break, as Colchester went in at half-time ahead.
A minute after the restart, Martin was denied by Pipa's very good save before the game got very niggly, with lots of free-kicks and players arguing with the referee.
A part clearance by the U's saw Jack Lorentzen-Jones shoot just over the bar, before stupid play at the back by the defenders saw Chamberlain under pressure with his kick and the ball went straight to Sam Anderson who found the vacant net on 88 minutes.
Gordon-Clement shot wide for Colchester as did Denagr for Luton, as the hosts claimed victory.
Colchester United U18: Harrison Chamberlain, Elkanah Akor, Andrew Palmer-Brown, Bailey Berry, Mitch Ward, Ronnie Harvey, Kai Martin, Burak Sabah, Alex Kokoshi, Ewan Gordon-Clement, Samson Uwandu (sub Rashaad Douglas, 82). Subs (not used): George Sapsford, Fela Abedikun, Daniel Bajoko, Jett Murphy.
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