COLCHESTER UNITED 1

COVENTRY CITY 2

Under-18 Professional Development League Two

COLCHESTER United's under-18s suffered a sixth successive league defeat after losing to Coventry City at Florence Park.

Harvey Sayer and Andre Hasanally went close for Chris Llewellyn's side early on while at the other end, Liam Doyle's attempt flew just past Cabhan Clarke's goal.

Liam Bennett's effort at the second attempt flew just over the bar for the U's and Hasanally had a shot saved by keeper Cian Tyler, as the home side pressed.

And all of their good play was rewarded after 27 minutes when Ben Allen curled a great effort high into the net from the left of the box, to give the U’s the lead.

It prompted Coventry to change their format to three at the back, with Jack Burroughs replacing Lewis White.

And with five minutes of the first half remaining, the visitors were back on level terms.

After a cross came off Jack Madley's head and looped up in the air, Clarke did well to reach the ball at full stretch.

But the U's keeper merely pushed it up in the air for Sion Green to nod home.

Coventry got on top and really dominated the game from thereon.

Burroughs' effort flew just wide and Clarke denied Burroughs, as the U's were forced to defend.

Burroughs curled a 30-yard shot just wide and although Colchester's Noah Chilvers went close, Coventry grabbed what proved to be their winner with 25 minutes remaining.

After the ball was helped into the box, Burroughs got in between the back lines and Clarke to control and fire into the roof the net.

Colchester went in search of an equaliser after that, with Jones firing just wide and Chilvers curling a free-kick just over the bar.

The U’s created chances as the clock ticked down and Sayer went close with a free-kick that Tyler grabbed at the second attempt but Coventry claimed victory.

Colchester United: Clarke, Bennett, Cracknell, Kensdale, Madley, Sayer, Cornish, Hasanally, Chilvers, Allen, Jones. Substitutes: Sims, Anderson, Mudd, Michaels, Anderson.