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U21s Comfortably Defeated By Colchester
Monday, 18th Jan 2016 15:43 by James Ager

A young Town U21 side were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Colchester United at a freezing Playford Road on Monday afternoon. The result leaves Town bottom of the Professional Development League Two South and without a win in their last nine matches.

With manager Mick McCarthy taking a number of the regular U21 players to Portsmouth for tomorrow's FA Cup replay, the Town side was mostly made up of Academy scholars. Alex Henshall and James Alabi were the two most senior players involved for Mark Kennedy's side.

The visitors started well and Callum Harrison's volley was deflected inches wide early wide on, before Tosin Olufemi broke forward on the right and pulled the ball back for Charley Edge to fire home after 11 minutes.

Femi Akinwande then doubled Colchester's lead just seven minutes later when he slotted the ball past Jonathan Henly from a tight angle, and the U's were looking dangerous every time they ventured towards the Town box.

However, the Blues should have got themselves back into the game midway through the half. Alabi turned a defender and latched onto Andre Dozzell's pass but blazed over, shortly before Conor McKendry got into a good position but could only produce a weak effort, which was comfortably gathered by keeper Dillon Barnes.

They were the two best chances that Town created and Colchester should have added to their lead before they eventually sealed the three points in the 78th minute. Diaz Wright - son of former Blue Jermaine - sent over a corner from the left and it was headed home by an unmarked Jamie Harney, and few could argue that the Essex side deserved a third goal.

It was a disappointing performance from Town, although James Blanchfield stood out in central midfield. Alabi used his strength well up front but was watched closely by Colchester's centre-halves, while Henshall had little effect on the game before he was substituted on the hour mark.

U21s: Henly, Jones, Woolfenden, Blanchfield, Salaudeen, Smith, McKendry, Dozzell, Alabi (Cathline 71), Morris, Henshall (Meldrum 60). Unused: Marsden, Ramadan.


Photo: Action Images



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Pessimistic added 16:05 - Jan 18
The sad fact is that the blues struggle at this level anyway.

Alex Henshall has been a real disappointment since he joined and seems only to be going backwards these days.
1

Bergholtblue added 16:15 - Jan 18
I know for this game it was a very young side, but bottom of the table without a win in 9 matches is not exactly covering ourselves in glory is it?

Where does this stand with Mr. Milne's desire for 50% of the first team being made up for our development squad?

Are we attracting the right calibre of scholars? Is Mark Kennedy the right man for the job?
9

blueblood66 added 16:16 - Jan 18
Colchester? We must have been AWFUL? Worrying.
3

Corrick91 added 16:29 - Jan 18
It was only very recently we were all proud of the youth at our club. FA Youth Cup winners, reserve premier league winners. Where did it actually all go wrong?
8

blueblood66 added 16:33 - Jan 18
With Evans unwilling to spend a penny it looks like Mick's free bees will be the way forward. If Mick was to leave we would be screwed.
2

cats_whiskers added 16:40 - Jan 18
When other coaches have come and gone, how does Kennedy justify keeping his position when results have shown for several seasons now that we seem to be a laughing stock under this present coaching set up.
5

BlueKush added 16:55 - Jan 18
If Alex Henshall is reading this, get your contract sorted, get to a club where your gonna play every week or you're gonna have a bad time!

If James Alabi is reading this, surrender to TC and practice finishing till sunset every day!

Good luck lads!
5

rinkydinkpanther added 17:10 - Jan 18
Time to disband this team, no?
1

muccletonjoe added 17:34 - Jan 18
Most of our better under 21 players are getting experience out on loan, probably alot better for them than being top of the development league two
1

ITFC_Cairo added 20:20 - Jan 18
Wouldn't read too much into this. Most of your promising youngster are either out on loan or travelling to Pompey tomorrow.
0

ITFCsince67 added 20:55 - Jan 18
I've heard a certain coach likes a few sherbets that why a very good true blue left. Don't jump down my throat on this one I honestly have a very reliable source.
0

rickw added 09:34 - Jan 19
All these defeats can't be good for the young players confidence, time for Kennedy to go - he is keeping the Keane & Jewell era alive at the club!!
1

Seasider added 17:12 - Jan 19
Mick shows the same contempt for this competition as the FA Cup.

Think since Mick came here we have struggled in this competition.

If the Manager of 1st team had such an appalling record over the last 3 years and bottom now he would be out.I know Mark Kennedy is sometimes deprived of some of his players as he was yesterday;but it doesn't say much to lose comprehensively at home to a side which could well be in Div2 next year.

Time for yu to go Sparky?
0

Seasider added 17:14 - Jan 19
ps First /Reserve team could also lose to a 2nd Div team tonight,although I would hope not.

Wonder if Mick feels the same
0


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