Colchester United U21 vs Peterborough United U21

Peterborough United Under 21s will travel down south to face Colchester United Under 21s on Friday evening (7pm).

Peterborough United Under 21s face Colchester United Under 21s on Friday as they look to build on their opening day win against AFC Bournemouth at the Weston Homes Stadium earlier this week.

Chris Conn-Clarke scored twice and David Kamara was on target in that comfortable victory for Ryan Semple's men.

THE OPPOSITION

Colchester United Under 21s side are managed by former Posh man Matthew Etherington, who had spells both as a player and coach at the Weston Homes Stadium. They will look to continue their winning ways following their 3-0 win over Birmingham City Under 21s on Monday where strikes from Frankie Terry, Oscar Thorn and a Tommy Fogarty own goal helped them to a comfortable win.

Currently The U's sit sixth in Group B of Professional Under 23 Development League following a win and a loss in their opening two games.

TEAM NEWS

Due to the first team game away at Exeter on Saturday the Under 21s will not be expected to have as many senior players in their ranks as they did this past Tuesday. Goalkeeper Will Blackmore is expected to get a second game under his belt in the week as he returns to full fitness following a long injury lay-off.

FROM THE MANAGER

Semple said: “We go into Friday’s game at Colchester after a quick turnaround but off the back of a real good performance and result. Many aspects of Tuesday’s game we will look to take into the game on Friday night against a Colchester side who are strong, aggressive and dangerous particularly on counters attacking situations, as they have a lot of pace in attack.

"It’s a game which will be difficult for us and it’s important we start well and it is vital that we put into practice everything that we have been working on.”

The Posh Under 21s maintained their good start to the new PDL campaign with a well earned 1-0 victory over Colchester United Under 21s.

The Peterborough United Under 21s made it two wins from two in the new PDL season with an impressive 1-0 win over Colchester United at Maldon Stadium with David Kamara finding the back of the net once again to secure maximum points.

Posh started the game strong out of the blocks with Andre Changunda hitting a volley from the edge of the box just over the crossbar after two minutes. Shortly after, the hosts went close to taking the lead after a strong solo run which ended with the shot going just over the bar.

The deadlock was broken shortly after 14 minutes when KAMARA fired Posh into the lead, sending the ball past the Colchester keeper to make it two goals in two for the former Welling United front man.

The U's almost replied straight away from kick off but the chance went just past Blackmore's left hand post. Shortly after Changunda curled a brilliant cross into the box with Kamara stretching, but he just couldn't get a touch to the ball.

On 34 minutes Posh had keeper Will Blackmore to thank to preserve the lead as he made a great double save, first saving from the free-kick then brilliantly keeping Posh ahead, stopping the rebound from close range.

Posh were almost two ahead just before the break as Max Beech was played through on goal but he was denied by a great save from the opposition keeper. The sides headed into the break with Posh a goal to the good. At half-time Joe Davies was substituted on in place of Trialist A.

The home side came close to a leveller as the ball was headed just wide of the post from close range. On 61 minutes, an unbelievable save denied Posh from doubling the lead, the goalkeeper tipping the well struck free-kick from Beech onto the bar.

With 80 minutes played Posh began to cause the tired legs of Colchester some real problems. Firstly Eddie Fox struck the ball well from the edge of the box but it grazed the crossbar. Then Kamara was through on goal but his effort was lifted over the keeper and just went over.

Late on Harley Mills nearly found the back of the net from distance with his effort deflected onto the post. An excellent block from Jenson Sumnall stopped the home side from equalising late on and Posh claimed the victory, much to the delight of the players and coaches.

Following the game, Lead Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Ryan Semple said: “Tonight was a very different game than Tuesday, tonight Colchester put us under pressure, they were very aggressive but our lads stood up to it and did really well.

“Defensively with two clean sheets from two we have done really well, we had to defend at times tonight especially with long balls ,that was pleasing, but the clean sheet is not just the back four, it's the whole team doing their job as a collective. With a clean sheet it’s a great base to build from and overall tonight was fantastic.

Looking ahead to the next game, Semple said “We will come back in and look at what we have done well, look at what we need to do better as a team. “We will look to keep moving forward and look to continue the brilliant start that we have had.”

The Under 21s are next in action on September 4th as they host Swansea City in the PDL

Posh: Blackmore, Freeman, Mills, Mendonca, Rose, Sumnall, Trialist A (sub Davies 46min), Young (sub Fox 73min) , Kamara, Beech (sub Unwin 77min), Changunda. Unused subs: McWilliams-Marcano, Smith.