Town’s U18s fell to a 3-1 defeat to Colchester United in a friendly at Playford Road on Thursday afternoon. Northern Irish U17 international midfielder Cormac Burke put the young Blues in front before a brace from Freddie Ladapo and a strike from Michael Rafter gave the U’s victory in a game played in three thirds.
Welsh U17 international midfielder Elliot Scotcher saw a good long-range effort parried away by visiting keeper Shaun Phillips before Cormac Burke gave Town the lead, curling a 20-yard freekick around the wall after 16 minutes.
Soon after, Town lost defender Rory McKeown to injury following a strong challenge on the touchline. New first-year scholar Joe Whight took Northern Irish U17 international McKeown’s place at left-back.
Colchester danger man Michael Rafter hit a shot just wide, shortly before the first half-hour was brought to an end with the game being played in three periods.
Town made numerous changes during the first break and the visitors dominated the second half hour, eventually taking the lead on 42 minutes. Town’s Jidé Maduako was adjudged to have fouled Freddie Ladapo in the box and the U’s striker picked himself up and tucked the penalty away.
Ladapo grabbed his second three minutes later when the ball wasn’t cleared from the Town area and following a number of deflections, Ladapo pounced and slotted the ball home.
Sam Brandon dragged a left-foot shot just wide of Phillips’ post before the stopper denied Jack Simmons when the Welsh U16 international striker had been put through one-on-one.
Further changes were made by both sides for the third period and Rafter hit Colchester’s third goal after 68 minutes following a determined run by Ladapo.
Town were unable to respond and the U’s, who were managed by former Town youth coach Richard Hall, held on for victory.
In what was a competitive pre-season game, with a number of solid challenges being made by both teams, Town look to have the nucleus of a good youth side for the coming season. Some good football was played throughout, although the numerous substitutions, including trialists, disrupted the flow of the game considerably.
Report and photo: James Ager