MATTY Etherington was back in charge of Colchester United's under-21s tonight as they claimed a big 6-2 victory over Bristol City, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Etherington, who started the season as the U's under-21 boss before taking charge of the first team, was assisted by Liam Bailey as the club's youngsters saw off the Robins at Maldon and Tiptree FC.

Etherington spent six weeks in permanent charge of Colchester's first team, before being dismissed from his role following their 1-0 home defeat against Gillingham, on New Year's Day.

First teamers such as Owura Edwards, Marley Marshall Miranda and Tom Smith featured in the U's under-21 win, in the Professional Development League.

After their heavy 5-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Tuesday, the side were back in league action with a home match with Bristol City which had been moved from the JobServe Community Stadium to Park Drive.

When the sides last met at the Robins High Performance Centre in early December the Robins came out on top 4-2 with the U's goals coming from Hakeem Sandah and Kaan Bennett.

City have dominated recent meetings winning seven of the last eight games with Colchester only success being away 2-1 in February, 2023.

With just one league win since August, the U's under-21s got off to the best possible start scoring two early goals.

Kaleel Green gave Colchester the lead after ten minutes and Archie Oliver doubled their advantage, eight minutes later.

Miranda was forced off with an injury and Bristol City pulled a goal back, through Kai Churchley.

But T'aizo Marcel-Dilaver restored the U's two-goal advantage from the spot, after he had been fouled in the area by the Robins' goalkeeper.

Two goals from Green early in the second half saw him complete his hat-trick.

He first converted from Oliver's pass and then sealed his treble after scoring from distance.

Bristol City pulled another goal back just before the hour mark through Charlie Filer but Colchester sealed a great night's work when they added a sixth through Kenny Mupomba, with 17 minutes remaining.

Colchester United U21: Smith, Miranda, Lowe, Edwards, Berry, Oliver, Trialist, Green, Edwards, Marcel-Dilaver, Thorn. Subs: Mupomba, Aman, Trialist, Trialist, Collins.

Bristol City: Witchard, Rose, Leeson, Idehen, Foxwell, Taylor-Clarke, Acey, Churchley, Hutton, Bak, Filer. Subs:  Finch, Walker-Brown, Davies, Chaplin.