COLCHESTER United under-18s claimed an impressive 3-0 win over QPR at Florence Park to stay top of their Premier League Cup group, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Rangers began well and Emmerson Sutton went really close early on, as he cut in from the left and saw his shot whistle just wide of the far post.

Alfie Newby's effort glanced off the angle of the bar and upright and went wide for Colchester while at the other end, Sutton set up Fraser Neill whose shot was blocked by Ryan Mombo.

Colchester really started to take over after the 15-minute mark, with two quick goals swinging the game in their favour.

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They went ahead on 28 minutes when Kai Martin headed in from the rebound after Rangers keeper Callum Loades had saved his initial effort from Akor's cross.

And the U's doubled their lead three minutes later when a terrible pass in midfield saw James Sasere capitalise, rounding keeper Loades before putting the ball into the net.

A superb home passing move involving Martin, Moore, Sasere and Drysdale saw the latter's effort sting Loades' hands, as Colchester went in at the break in control.

Sasere twice had shots saved after the break and Moore saw his shot well blocked, as the U's pressed for a third goal.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester sealed their win on 76 minutes.

After good work by Drysdale he set up substitute Burak Sabah, who rolled his shot to the left of Loades to make it 3-0.

After a tussle by the right corner post, the referee had to speak to Rash Drysdale and Rangers' Cory Adjetey-Brew.

Having played for the under-16s, Lennox Emery - who was called up to the U's first-team squad last month - replaced the limping Martin late on as Elliott Ward's side sealed a comfortable victory.

U's U18: Jack Sexton, Elkanah Akor, Fela Abidkun, Alfie Newby, Donte Frank, Rash Drysdale, Ryan Mombo, Ronnie Harvey (sub Burak Sabah), Owen Moore, Kai Martin (sub Lennox Emery), James Sasere (sub Leo Makatta).