U21 Professional Development League 2
Team: Warren, Friel, Adjetey-Brew, Wilkie, McCann, Dyke, Sanyaolu, Alemayehu, Dillon, Pearman, O’Brien
Subs: Taylor, Pullella, Scarlett, Tarbotton, Hassan
On a bright, mild afternoon at the TSG Training Centre, poor defending led to the visitors taking the lead in the third minute following a corner. Kien Connolly was well placed to finish from within the six-yard box.
The U’s next opportunity came after Kai Martin had weaved his way through the box, and his attempt forced Charlie Warren down to grab the ball.
Rangers’ first attempt of the afternoon was provided by Philip Sanyaolu, when the winger’s header closely evaded the upright.
Then, following Rocco Friel’s cross from the right, Colchester’s centre-back, Olufela Abidekun, stuck out a boot, which sent the ball up into the air and Frankie Beckles successfully caught it.
Mr Bolland showed Olufela Abidekun a yellow card after he had fouled Philip Sanyaolu.
Into the 34th minute and following Jaylan Pearman’s run into the box, the U’s keeper kept it out at the near post and the ball ended up going for a goal-kick.
Shortly after, Rocco Friel was booked for dissent.
Rocco Friel’s cross/shot on 45 minutes whizzed past the far post and this was followed by Cory Adjetey-Brew being cautioned.
There was still time for the hosts to nab a deserved equaliser. Philip Sanyaolu’s free kick from the left picked out Isak Alemayehu, who then headed the ball into the back of the net. Half-time: 1-1.
Into the second-half and after Philip Sanyaolu had cut-in, his low strike was saved by the keeper.
Colchester took the lead on 55 minutes, after the ball had been given away, and Kai Martin did the rest.
However, the R’s equalised again just a couple of minutes later. Cory Adjetey-Brew’s strike from distance received a slight deflection before entering the net.
Anthony Hayes made two changes around the hour-mark, when Leon Scarlett and Ridwan Hassan were introduced at the expense of Archie O’Brien and Cian Dillon respectively.
After Cory Adjetey-Brew had let fly from 20-odd yards, the ball came down off the underside of the crossbar, before being cleared from the goal-line.
Jaylan Pearman made way for Teddy Tarbotton on 64 minutes.
Mr Bolland finally lost patience with the U’s keeper and booked him for time-wasting.
Following a good passage of play, three attempts from the home side, courtesy of Rocco Friel, Ridwan Hassan and Leon Scarlett, resulted in the ball going for a throw and a U’s player being forced off.
In the 78th minute, Freddie Ingram was the next Colchester player to be cautioned, and Rangers went on to take the lead from the resulting free kick.
Philip Sanyaolu then stepped up and swung the ball over towards the far post, for Ridwan Hassan to head the ball beyond Frankie Beckles.
Leon Scarlett was booked following a foul on Ronnie Harvey.
The away side made it all-square at 3-3, when Kai Martin curled his free kick towards substitute, Ryan Mombo, who made no mistake.
Colchester could well have re-taken the lead a minute later. Kai Martin’s free kick into the box somehow evaded a number of players, and the ball ended up going for a goal-kick.
Drama then followed in the 90th minute. Cory Adjetey-Brew’s cross was met by the on-rushing Ridwan Hassan into the six-yard box, who slotted it home.
Ridwan Hassan and Philip Sanyalou went close with two further attempts in stoppage time.
Mr Bolland blew the final whistle after six added minutes.
Next up for the Development Squad was a trip to Yorkshire to face Huddersfield Town.
Steve Russell