Colchester United see off Arsenal U21s in EFL Trophy

Goals from Tom Hopper, Harry Anderson and Mandela Egbo helped the U's seal their biggest win under Danny Cowley, in front of a crowd of more than 4,000 at the JobServe Community Stadium.

All in all, it was an impressive performance by Colchester, who swept their young opponents aside with a strong display in all departments in their final Southern Group E game.

And it was one that will give them plenty of confidence, after they registered their first win in ten matches, in all competitions.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made six changes to his starting line-up.

Tom Smith, Ben Goodliffe, Mandela Egbo, Arthur Read, Oscar Thorn and Tom Hopper, who skippered the U’s team, all came into the side, while academy players Hakeem Sandah, Oliver Godziemski, Rashaad Drysdale and Harrison Chamberlain were all on the bench.

Colchester had a penalty shout inside the opening two minutes when Jack Payne went down under Zane Monlouis's challenge in the area but the referee Stephen Parkinson was not interested in any penalty claims.

It was a bright start for the U’s against a young Arsenal side who unsurprisingly, were keen to build patiently from the back and invite a high press.

And Colchester took a deserved lead, in the 16th minute.

Hopper slotted home first time from close range, after Thorn had escaped down the right and picked him out.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

The visitors registered their first meaningful shot on target ten minutes before the break when Nathan Oyedeji cut out an attempted U’s clearance and sprinted towards goal before drilling a shot straight at Smith.

But Colchester really should have doubled their lead a minute later when Brian Okonkwo fired a clearance straight at Thorn but the U's youngster saw his low 20-yard shot saved by the Reds keeper, who redeemed himself with the save.

Hopper’s header from Payne’s free-kick flew straight at Okonkwo before Colchester doubled their lead in the 43rd minute through Anderson, who fired home an excellent low strike into the far corner from just inside the area for his third goal in four games.

It meant Colchester went in at the break in control and they made a change at half-time, with Tom Flanagan on for Ellis Iandolo and Donnelly switching to left-back.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Colchester were aiming to build on their lead in the second half and they needed just five minutes to do so, after the restart.

Egbo robbed the visitors of possession midway inside the visitors' half before advancing towards goal and curling a delightful low shot home with the outside of his boot, for his first-ever U's goal.

Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven was booked for bringing Payne down on the edge of the area when the U's man was running through on goal, as the clock ticked down.

Academy duo Godziemski and Drysdale came on for their senior debuts with ten minutes remaining and Read came close to adding to Colchester's lead late on with a free-kick that landed straight in the arms of keeper Okonkwo, as the U's claimed a comprehensive win.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Smith, Egbo (sub Drysdale, 81), Goodlife, Donnelly, Iandolo (sub Flanagan, 46), McDonnell (sub Woodyard, 62), Read, Payne (sub Godziemski, 81), Thorn, Anderson (sub Sandah, 62), Hopper.

Substitutes (not used): Taylor, Chamberlain.

Arsenal U21: Okonkwo, Nichols, Monlouis (sub Robinson, 46), Heaven, S Oulad M'hand, Kabia, Gower (sub Dudziak, 63), Quesada Thorn, I Oulad M'Hand (sub Rosiak, 57), Butler Oyedeji, Edwards.

Substitutes (not used): Ranson, Sweet, Kamara, Forde.

Goals: Colchester: Hopper (16), Anderson (43), Egbo (51).

Referee: Stephen Parkinson.

Bookings: Colchester: Payne (foul, 46), Goodliffe (unsporting behaviour, 90). Arsenal U21: Heaven (foul, 79).

Attendance: 4,265 (1,120 Arsenal fans).