Alan Lee scored the only goal of the game as a Town U21 side beat Colchester United 1-0 at Playford Road this afternoon. The former Blues striker, who is back at the club to coach in the academy but has recently been training with Mick McCarthy’s first team squad, netted in the fifth minute.

The 34-year-old, released by Huddersfield at the end of last season and who Mick McCarthy is considering registering for the season ahead, seized on a loose ball after a shot had struck a defender before slipping the ball past the U’s keeper at a drizzly Playford Road.

The visitors came close to getting on terms in the 21st minute when Jonny Leddy was forced to clear off the line, then at the other end Joe Ward, who has been on trial from Chelmsford for the last three weeks, did well to cut in from the left but the Colchester keeper blocked.

Three minutes before the break, Jack Marriott saw a corner from Byron Lawrence late and the ball struck him and flew straight to the keeper. Just before the break, the U’s hit Blues keeper Michael Crowe’s right post from distance.

Goalscorer Lee made way at the break, having won a lot in the air, but looking short of fitness. Teddy Bishop took over, allowing trialist Ward to move into his favoured role up front from midfield.

Lawrence shot well over early on, then Colchester first struck an effort wide of Crowe’s post, then straight at the Town keeper.

As a well-contested game reached its final 10 minutes, Marriott twice had opportunities to increase his side’s lead. First, after a strong run down the right he struck a shot across the face of goal, then moments later another effort was saved by the visiting keeper.

Overall, what was a Town side largely made up of academy players deserved their victory against a Colchester team mainly consisting of professionals.

Amongst the more senior players in the Blues line-up was centre-half Christophe Berra, who said recently that he is around four games behind everyone else. The Scottish international was comfortable throughout.

Manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor were amongst those braving the weather to watch the game.

U21s: Crowe, Hammond, October, Berkane, Berra, Leddy (M Clarke 63), Ward (Winter 63), Lawrence, Marriott, Lee (Bishop 46), Timlin.

Photo: Action Images

sweas77 added 16:51 - Jul 30 Lee, rolling back the years!
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Karlosfandangal added 16:55 - Jul 30 Alan Lee age 34 playing for the U21's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AYACCA added 16:58 - Jul 30 Were there any fans there singing 'Alan Lee Goal'?
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ManningtreeBlue99 added 16:59 - Jul 30 Alan Lee..................................... goal! always believing he'll score!
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ITFC_Essex added 17:00 - Jul 30 Just a note, I am pretty sure "U21" no longer means Under 21s in the way we used to understand it. This is just a rebranding of the "Reserves". It really means nothing, which makes it pretty pointless although most of the players are younger x amount can be over 21.
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itfcjoe added 17:08 - Jul 30 @ITFC_Essex I think they try to use the term Development Squad instead of U21s now. But you are correct in what you say - your GK can be over 21, and 3 outfield players can too.
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Hoppersblue10 added 17:19 - Jul 30 "Goalscorer Lee made way at the break, but looking short of fitness" I kinda worked that out from the photo.... I don't get the whole love in thing with Alan Lee, cart horse back in the day, over the hill now.!
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sirbenofmorlingshire added 17:25 - Jul 30 I'm really beyond caring about kits these days, but I have to say the new one does look very smart in that picture, maybe it's an omen, look smart, play smart = good season ahead!
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TrueBlueFerret added 17:25 - Jul 30 U35'S GLEEFULL WINNER!!
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greenkingtone added 17:26 - Jul 30 He doesn't look under 21 to me! A protest might be in order to the SFA.
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bbkingsumday added 17:30 - Jul 30 Good to see MM AND TC taking a look at our younger players.
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CavendishBlue added 17:32 - Jul 30 SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH.Nobody will ever know he's .......over 21 NOT under. NB U21 league allows some overaged players in the team(three I think)
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Mark added 17:38 - Jul 30 So has Alan Lee signed a contract here as a coach and does that include provision for him playing matches too? If so, it seems totally sensible to register him as a player and consider him for selection based on merit along with the other players.
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Seasider added 17:39 - Jul 30 Alan Lee,well im blowed;blast from the past.Still we need someone over 30 in squad?!!!
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TractorCam added 17:49 - Jul 30 Carthorse back in the day? He's been one of our best strikers over the last 10 years...
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BigAlsMate added 18:00 - Jul 30 I'm a fair bit older than Alan Lee ..... perhaps there's a chance for me yet!!
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Michael11 added 18:12 - Jul 30 If you'd told me 2 weeks ago that Alan Lee would be scoring in our Under 21 team then....Well i don't even know!! Haha
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tim added 18:26 - Jul 30 I would like the management to wait until they're ready before making a statement regarding the Alan Lee situation, based on their evaluation of his potential to add something worthwhile to the squad and the availability of funds to procure his services.
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IpswichLewis added 18:29 - Jul 30 U21's can have 2 players over the age of 21 in there squad for games...not bothered that he can score for the U21's. I'm bothered if he scores for the first team ;-)
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IpswichLewis added 18:31 - Jul 30 **three over age players**
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bluemikey100 added 18:40 - Jul 30 alan lee hope u cleaning the youngsters boots lol
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bigolconnor added 18:46 - Jul 30 He still looks the part and why wouldn't we register him if he is going to be around the place. It certainly won't take us over our limit for registered players.
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oldbluey added 18:48 - Jul 30 I suppose that he might (just about) be Under 21.....stone.
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RegencyBlue added 18:54 - Jul 30 I know how it happens but Alan Lee playing in an under 21 game gave me the best laugh I've had for a while!
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h32 added 19:32 - Jul 30 ....... shows what a farce Football is / can be - a 34 year old playing for Under 21's !!! Sign him up MM - at worst he would be nuisance value - at best he knows where the net is . Still got a few Goals in him - and a presence for sure. Could do a job for a season, and MM knows it.
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