COLCHESTER UNITED 2

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0

Under-23 Professional Development League Two

COLCHESTER United's youngsters claimed their first win of the season after seeing off Charlton Athletic, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Second-half goals from Andre Hasanally and Ken Charles sealed Kevin Horlock's side their maiden league victory, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

It was achieved again with a very young squad, of which half qualified for the U's under-18s team.

Colchester started the game well and Ryan Gondoh drove over and Chris Forino headed wide, early on.

But Charlton warmed to the task, with Albie Morgan firing over and Terrique Anderson's goalbound effort was cleared from the goalmouth by Chris Forino

The Addicks had strong appeals for a penalty following an apparent tug in the area, as the first half finished goal-less.

There was action at both ends straight after the restart.

The second half was only a minute old when Cornish's poor ball out saw neat passing set up Igon Vetokele in the box who forced U's goalkeeper Bailey Vose into a save.

But within a few minutes, the U’s took a 49th-minute lead.

Former Charlton youngster Aaron Barnes got forward and fed the ball inside to Hasanally who struck a shot from the outer edge of the box and beat keeper Dillon Phillips low to his left.

Almost at once Barnes burst forward again into the box but after a tackle on him, he needed some treatment.

Charlton then came close to an equaliser when Vetokele's effort was superbly tipped over by Vose.

Morgan then drove a shot over the bar and a few seconds later, pulled a free-kick just wide of the post.

A poor goal-kick was then taken short and nearly proved costly but the U’s survived that one, too.

Colchester then doubled their lead with 21 minutes remaining and once again, it was a well-worked effort.

Charles exchanged passes with Hasanally before slipping his shot wide of keeper Phillips and in.

Phillips denied Sam Cornish and a back pass put the Charlton keeper in danger as Gondoh closed him down.

COLCHESTER UNITED U23: Vose, Barnes, Rooney, Forino (sub Warde, 79), Kensdale, Gondoh, Hasanally, Cornish, Chilvers, Sims (sub Al-Amin Kazeem, 61), Charles (sub Miller, 75). Substitutes (not used): Hallett, Anderson.