Colchester United under-21s beat Charlton Athletic

The U's youngsters moved off the bottom of the table with the win, in the Professional Development League.

U's goalkeeper Ted Collins saved well at his near post from Ryan Huke early on but Colchester took the lead on seven minutes.

Hakeem Sandah's shot hit a post and when the ball was helped forward again, trialist A scored.

A minute later another flowing home move saw the effort just clear the bar before trialist A's effort on the stretch was just over the bar.

Ronnie Nelson headed wide at the back post and Oscar Thorn's effort was cleared off the line by Toby Bower, as the U's pressed for a second, which arrived on 32 minutes.

The ball was switched out to the left and from Matt Yates' driven-in cross, Seydil Toure scored an own goal.

Huke's effort was saved by Collins while at the other end, Gene Kennedy fired well over for Colchester.

Collins touched Harvey Kedwell's effort around his right hand post before the U's made it 3-0 after 41 minutes when Archie Oliver converted Sandah's cross from the right.

Colchester hunted for more goals after the break and Yates was denied by keeper Prince Adegoke, who sprawled to his left and made the save.

Collins denied Jeremy Santos and Casey's shot went high and wide of the near post before Charlton pulled a goal back, on 66 minutes.

Santos's good ball switched from the right found the run of Kai Enslin on the left, who got a goal back.

Collins saved down to his left from Casey and Bower's shot was diverted over the bar, as Charlton pressed for another goal.

Trialist B’s cross shot flew wide of the far post before an obvious foul on a home player was not given and as a result, Casey capitalised and made it 3-2, on 79 minutes.

But any home nerves were settled when Colchester scored a fourth goal, nine minutes later.

After Green held the ball up well, Trialist A drove his shot home to complete the U's win.

Colchester United U21: Ted Collins, Ryan Lowe, Ronny Nelson, Frankie Terry, Matt Yates, Oscar Thorn (sub Kaleel Green), Archie Oliver (sub Bayan Aman), trialist B, Gene Kennedy, Hakeem Sandah (sub Kennedy Mupomba), Trialist A (sub Harry Beadle). Sub (not used): Jack Sexton.