Tamás Priskin netted a second half penalty but it wasn’t enough to stop a strong Town reserves side from losing 2-1 to Arsenal in a friendly at Playford Road. After an almost chance free first half, Ignasi Miquel and Ozan Ozyakup put the Gunners, who included former Blue Fabian Wilnis’s nephew Kyle Ebecilio as a sub, two goals in front after the break.
The Blues were on top in what was a first half almost entirely devoid of goalscoring opportunities and which began eight minutes before the scheduled time with Town boss Paul Jewell still making his way to the pitch.
Striker Daryl Murphy only lasted 18 minutes before succumbing to what looked like a groin injury, Ronan Murray taking over.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, a contemporary of many of the visitors’ side during his time at Arsenal, hit the period’s most significant effort but the ball curled well away from Vito Mannone’s goal.
At the other end, a promising run from one-time Leeds loanee Sanchez Watt ended with Jack Ainsley, playing at centre-half, looping the ball into keeper Arran Lee-Barrett’s hands.
Aside from that the Gunners’ side, which included Craig Eastmond, who has some first team experience, threatened little with most of the opening period played in their half of the field.
The Blues introduced trialist Max Lonsdale as a sub at half-time. The 18-year-old former Macclesfield midfielder previously spent time on trial at Manchester United and Doncaster following his release by the Silkmen.
Eight minutes after the break, the visitors, most of whom were involved in the Carling Cup last week, went in front. Ozan Ozyakup sent in a deep corner from the left and Arsenal captain Ignasi Miquel nodded it home at the far post.
Mannone pushed an Emmanuel-Thomas shot behind five minutes later, before the Gunners increased their lead. Ozyakup played a one-two on the edge of the area before striking a low shot which beat Lee-Barrett.
The Blues looked to hit back, Colin Healy having a shot deflect wide after good work from Emmanuel-Thomas on the right. Moments later, Murray had an effort blocked, then Healy again had an strike diverted wide by a defender.
For the Gunners, sub Jeffrey Monakana forced Lee-Barrett to tip over, then from the resultant corner another sub Gavin Hoyte nodded over. The watching Fabian Wilnis’s nephew Kyle Ebecilio, a midfielder, was also amongst those introduced by the Gunners during the second half.
Town were continuing to push for a goal with the lively Murray chipping over, then sending in a cross which the equally busy Lee Martin headed just too high.
Luke Freeman shot into Lee-Barrett’s sidenetting, before the Blues pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with 12 minutes remaining. Priskin, the man who had been tripped by Arsenal central defender Dani Boateng, confidently found the corner of the net from 12 yards.
The Blues pushed for the equaliser during the final 10 minutes. Sub Shane O’Connor whipped in a fine cross from the left but Josh Carson blazed over.
Murray shot across the face of goal, then Luke Hyam saw two strikes blocked. O’Connor sent in a freekick from the left with two minutes remaining, Hyam nodding down to Cormac Burke but the Northern Irishman’s shot was saved.
The whistle went soon after to end what was a very well attended game at Playford Road. The Blues had had the better of the first half but allowed the visitors to go in front via two preventable goals but had enough opportunities in the final half hour to have grabbed the draw.
The game largely passed trialist Lonsdale by, while the likes of Healy, Martin and Carson did well in midfield during the first half in particular.
Murray was a threat during the second period and Emmanuel-Thomas had his moments, as he always does, while one or two of the senior players will feel they probably ought to have shown more against an Arsenal side short on experience if not talent.
Most of the Town senior and academy staff were spotted at the game, as were first teamers Nathan Ellington and Grant Leadbitter, while Colchester boss John Ward was also amongst those watching from the touchline.
Reserves: Lee-Barrett, Bennett (Hyam 66), Whight (O'Connor 66), Ainsley, Smith, Carson, Healy, Martin (Burke 74), Emmanuel-Thomas (Priskin 66), Murphy (Murray 18), Priskin (Lonsdale 46). Unused: Cropper.