Cambridge United's EFL Trophy hopes were left hanging by a thread following a 2-1 defeat against Colchester United...
First half goals from Tovide and Ihionvien put the away side in control at the break, and despite an improved second half showing, which culminated in Ahadme scoring a consolation goal from the spot during added time, it wasn't enough for the U's.
Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy clash against fellow U’s from Colchester saw Mark Bonner make nine changes to his starting 11 which saw Mahmaoudu Jobe make his first start this season alongside Zeno Ibsen-Rossi, Liam Bennett shuffle across into a left back position and Lewis Simper play in front of a midfield pairing of May and Cousins.
The first 15 minutes saw the U’s win three corners, all of which were dealt with by the Colchester defence. The first chance of the game fell to Saikou Janneh, after Simper played a ball over the top of the Col U back four, but Janneh's swing at the ball went through the legs of the keeper and across the face of goal, before it was cleared away.
The U’s fourth early corner was headed goalbound by Ahadme but blocked by the Colchester defence, and moments later, against the run of play, Colchester made the breakthrough as Cooper found number 9, Tovide in the box who slot past Mannion to put the visitors 1-0 up on 18 minutes.
Colchester looked to control more of the possession after going a goal up, but it was a Cambridge corner which led to the visitors doubling their lead. After the ball was cleared by the Col U defence, it came out to an isolated Liam Bennett, who was caught in possession by the onrushing Chay Cooper, who ran the length of the half and finished past Mannion, leaving United two goals down at the break.
Unchanged at the break the U’s looked to apply early pressure with shots from Simper and Adam May coming close. Haunstrup made his long awaited return on 60’, replacing Liam Bennett along with Glenn McConnell replacing Janneh. Lankester and Thomas came on for the midfield pairing of Cousins and May on 70 mins, as United began to build momentum in the final period of the match.
The U’s were beginning to cause problems for Colchester and almost halved the deficit when Haunstrup found Lankester, whose ball across the box narrowly misses the onrushing U’s forwards. In the final change of the night, Okenabirhie replaced Gordon for the final 10 minutes.
A twisting a turning run from McConnell led to a drilled Thomas shot which was deflected for a corner, and eventually the U’s late surge led to Ahadme's spot-kick, which halved the deficit, but there was to be no more late drama as the visitors left with three points to add to their Trophy total.