Mark Timlin, Jack Marriott (pictured) and Michael Chopra netted the goals as Town’s U21s ended their 2012/13 campaign with a 3-0 victory at Colchester United.
The Blues took an early lead with a goal in the third minute. Lee Martin had his shot well saved, but the ball was pushed into the path of Timlin, who had an easy finish.
Town doubled their lead five minutes later. A strong run into the box from Marriott combined with a cool finish saw the striker add to his already impressive goal tally this season, nine of them for the U21s in addition to 17 for the U18s.
Colchester had their first decent chance on goal in the 13th minute, with Tosin Olufemi having a shot blocked by Reece Brown.
The second half started off with Colchester having the better of the possession with the Blues playing as if the job had already been done.
Colchester left-back Michael O'Donoghue almost got his team back in it when his cross from the left was tipped over by Arran Lee-Barrett.
The home side had their best chance of the game in the 64th minute. A good cross to the back post from substitute Jack Simmons — a former Blues academy scholar - found Olufemi unmarked, but he headed wide of the target.
With 17 minutes remaining the Blues got their third goal, this time through Chopra. The striker took a great first touch to make some space before coolly placing the ball passed the keeper.
Lee-Barrett was called into action with six minutes remaining, again from an O'Donoghue cross which almost crept in at the far post.
Overall, it was a decent display and a good performance to round off the season. Two goals in the first half meant there wasn't a need to work as hard in the second with the game essentially over.
Jack Marriott continues to look impressive getting another goal and could be finding himself in the first team in the near future.
Lee-Barrett was alert to the end and made a strong save with only seconds remaining to earn himself a clean sheet.
U21s: Lee-Barrett, Hewitt, Mings, Berkane (Leddy 90), Brown, Clarke, Timlin, Wordsworth (Lawrence 46), Marriott, Chopra, Martin (Galvin 65)
Colchester: Phillips, Spence, O'Donoghue, Sanderson, Fletcher, Heath, Hubble, Melaugh, Olufemi, Ladapo (Szmodics 75), Wright (Simmons 46). Att: 232.
Report: Blair Ferguson