Reserves go down

United's reserves lost 1-0 to Colchester at Court Place Farm this afternoon. The only goal came after ten minutes when Lloyd Opara pounced after a free kick from the right wasn't dealt with. United fielded an inexperienced side, with only Dave Waterman and Ian McCaldon having any regular first team experience. Waterman played in central defence, alongside Robert Lovegrove, and the pair had competent if not spectacular games.

Up front Jefferson Louis was partnered by Arsenal youth striker Carlin Itonga, who recently scored seven goals against Ipswich's youth team. Zaire born Itonga presumably gets better service from the Arsenal youth side as he rarely looked like threatening Simon Brown's goal, despite showing good pace and a decent first touch (unlike Louis). He recently had an unsuccessful trial at Hull City. To be fair to Louis he won just about everything in the air and was United's best defender at Colchester's numerous corners.

Otherwise this was depressingly similar to a first team performance, with hesitation at the back, no creativity in midfield, and a reluctance to shoot up front. Simon King had a disappointing afternoon and there was precious little to get excited about. Neither Paul Powell, Chris Hackett nor Sam Ricketts were in the squad as they are all in the frame for Saturday's game against Torquay at the Kassam Stadium, and triallist Adam Locke failed to show after apparently being signed on by another club this morning.

Sam Stockley started the game for Colchester and was just about the best player on the pitch, although his crossing still hasn't improved. He did bring out one excellent save from McCaldon towards the end, and it would have been sweetly ironic if he had scored. Meanwhile young Norman Sylla smashed in four goals for Banbury United in their FA Cup Qualifying Round replay at Berkhamstead last night.