A strong Town U21 side comfortably beat their Colchester United counterparts 2-0 at Playford Road on Monday afternoon. Chris Wood and Cameron Stewart got the goals for Mark Kennedy's team.

Town included Stephen Hunt at left-back with Alex Henshall on the left and Stewart on the right side of Teddy Bishop and Kundai Benyu in midfield.

Dylan Connolly played in a support role behind Wood, who led the line on his own.

The visitors included Jack Marriott, currently on loan from Town, up front and former Blues youngster Byron Lawrence in midfield.

Wood opened the scoring on 21 with a good header back across keeper James Bransgrove after Henshall's cross from the left.

Town keeper Michael Crowe did well to prevent Marriott equalising with a close range effort moments later before Bransgrove denied Bishop from a quickly taken freekick as half time approached.

Marriott squandered another chance shortly after the restart when he volleyed wide following a quick break from the visitors.

Town then doubled their lead on 57 when Stewart broke away from Lawrence's challenge and fired the ball into the bottom left corner from 25 yards.

Stewart - who is still to make his league debut for the Blues - netted his strike in front of watching first team boss Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor.

Connolly could have added to Town's lead with two great chances from one-on-one situations but he was foiled by Bransgrove.

Hunt, who has been out with a hamstring injury, and recent loan signing Wood will have been pleased to get 90 minutes under their belts, while Connolly looked dangerous throughout and was more than willing to take on his opponent with the ball at his feet.

Stewart and Henshall both drifted in and out of the game but worked hard to get themselves into good positions. Benyu and Bishop both did well and controlled the majority of the game from central midfield.

Trialist Reiss Greenidge was comfortable at centre-back but was rarely troubled with Town controlling large parts of the game.

U21s: Crowe, Hammond, Hunt, Bishop, Greenidge, Clarke, Stewart, Benyu (Guldbrandsen 77), Wood, Connolly (Patterson 81), Henshall (McQueen 83). Unused: McDermid, Wyatt.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

StuartBrett8 added 15:31 - Mar 9 Sounds like a decent performance.... food for thought and some nice headaches for MM
2

unknown100 added 15:39 - Mar 9 Clearly with the amount of flair in that team, McCarthy had nothing to do with it, would rather that midfield than the untouchable tabb and Anderson
1

jimblue93 added 15:44 - Mar 9 We have to at least give cameron stewart a chance!!!, otherwise whats the point of him being here, might as well just cancel his contract the same as paul taylor
12

kozmik added 15:52 - Mar 9 Start Connolly Saturday!
7

dannyrr added 16:06 - Mar 9 Can't unders why Cameron Stewart can't even make the bench. Sounds like a wasted chance that is probably going to depart when he gets an offer of regular play. Only had a bit part at Southampton and has not had a chance. Maybe not one of the chosen ones.
7

RaymondovicBlue added 16:13 - Mar 9 Connolly to start.... His pace on with Sears will certainly scare a few defences!!!
7

blueherts added 16:31 - Mar 9 Agree about Conolly He could be the under the radar star for afew games !
4

ipswichdave added 16:37 - Mar 9 I watched the match, Connolly very lively, had a good touch and able to turn quickly. In my view i can still see why MM wont go with Stewart and Henshall, they are not strong enough, easily pushed off the ball. Wood is overweight but is a handfull and usefull
11

BlueHennee added 16:50 - Mar 9 Ipswichdave, pls tell us more pros & cons. Interested to hear what you think you having seen the game.
1

muhrensleftfoot added 16:53 - Mar 9 That Cameron Stewart will have to go. Can't have midfielders scoring goals....
1

ipswichdave added 17:08 - Mar 9 Nobody had a bad game, Hunt looked fit and had a good run out at left back, a few nice touches from Bishop again looked fit. Connellly looks like a good signing, hopefully he could be our trump card, as unknown to other teams, but from the bench at the moment, I wouldnt really like to see Clarke having to come on in case of injury, ok but not great, Overall a good workout for Hunt, Bishop and Wood plus Connelly could be the real deal.

3

linhdi added 17:26 - Mar 9 It seemed to get colder and windier as the game went on. Agree Connolly looks a freal prospect - he's a littl'un but very quick and fit, and was so annoyed with himself when he missed a one-on-one. Stewart and Henshall looked lightweight (yes, Stewart's goal was excellent, but he was quite peripheral). Shout out for Kyle Hammond too, not only a good performance but did his best to help Stewart into the game as well.

2

bluefeast added 17:45 - Mar 9 Stewart could be excellent ,but MM is correct the players on the sidelines need to push their way into contention ,however with 10 mins of a match left pace can be vital against tired legs ,its called plan B.........
2

RichOBlue added 17:47 - Mar 9 Thought matt Clarke looked solid considering he on his weaker right side and was covering the trialist alot
0

jas0999 added 18:37 - Mar 9 Our current midfield works hard but lacks creativity. We need better options.
2

richnblue added 18:42 - Mar 9 And what about Marriott anybody? One of ours and maybe it is to soon for him to get into the first team but did very well at Woking. Yet not a look in??
0

harlingblue added 23:02 - Mar 9 Good fast game played in cold windy conditions, Town taking the lead with an excellent goal, Connelly, hardworking throughout, finding Henshall with a delightful defence splitting pass, the wingers cross hit with pace was perfect for Wood to head home. The second goal was a fine solo effort by Stewart, winning the ball in midfield before running through the centre at pace before smashing home with much aplomb. Stewart having been anonymous in the first half seem to gain much needed confidence after this. Colchester played some good approach football but seemed to lack the final killer touch, while a very strong Town side would have been disappointed not to bag a win. Stand out performers Clarke, always solid and a good reader of the game, Connolly, ready to make a 1st team impact?, Bishop and Benyu lightweight but skillful and tenacious. Wood and Hunt both badly needing game time put in solid performances.

3

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