U18 Professional Development League 2
Team: Clark, Siqueira, Leah, Brown, McDonald, McCann, Sackey, Tuck, Petrie, Talla, Lawrence
Sub Not Used: Cant
Strelly Katalay gave Colchester an early lead when his side-footed strike went in via the underside of the crossbar.
Rangers began to grow into the game and create chances. Teddy Lawrence broke away and after beating his marker, shot just past the upright.
Then, soon after, Alfie Tuck’s effort was deflected, forcing Jaime Tedaldi into an excellent save and the ball going behind for a corner.
The U’s keeper made another superb save from the R’s No.8 and he also did well to keep out the follow-up. From the resulting corner, Noah McCann’s header went in off the post.
Siqueira went on a great run down the right-flank, and whilst under pressure, he got to the bye-line to win a well-won corner.
It was Rangers’ other centre-back who gave the home side the lead when Charlie McDonald made no mistake from Lorent Talla’s corner.
The R’s soon added a third after Talla had won the ball. He then set-up Sam Sackey and the Rangers No.7 pinged the ball into the back of the net.
The home side almost added a fourth goal when Siqueira’s right-wing cross was headed onto the bar by Kieran Petrie.
Keagan Horlock went down after receiving the ball fully in the face. He managed to carry on only to feel the effect again soon after, but eventually he was able to continue.
Rangers scored goal number four from a free kick close to the bye-line. Lorent Talla stepped up and superbly swung the ball into the top corner.
There was enough time for the R’s to add another close to the break. Jake Leahy knocked the ball wide to Sam Sackey, who proceeded to break down the middle into the box and superbly pick his spot. Half-time: 5-1.
Sam Manufor was introduced for the start of the second-half at the expense of Guilherme Leal Siqueira.
Rangers were content to keep possession until Sam Manufor knocked over a great ball from the right-wing into the box to find Kieran Petrie, who then shot over the crossbar.
The U’s fashioned a rare attack which led to Conor Clark making a superb finger-tip save and the ball going behind for a corner.
On 67 minutes Micah Hyde made three changes when he brought on Salvatore Marino, Jabari Christmas and Ramy Bouhiaoui to replace Shannon Brown, Teddy Lawrence and captain, Charlie McDonald, respectively.
An excellent ball into the box found Lorent Talla and his effort was stopped and cleared by the Colchester keeper.
At the other end, Conor Clark came out to bravely smother the ball at the feet of an opponent.
After around 75 minutes, Jabari Christmas went on a great run, beating opponents as he advanced, which led to the U’s keeper making a good save.
Ewan Gordon-Clement bombed down the wing and his cross got a touch sending the ball behind. The ball was headed just wide from the resulting corner.
Rangers scored a sixth goal following good work by Sam Sackey close to the bye-line. He then set-up Lorent Talla who fired the ball low, into the corner of the net.
An emphatic win for the R’s who will travel to South London next to face Millwall.
Steve Russell