REPORT BY BRIAN WALLER
Success was in store for the youth team boys as they made the lengthy trip to the West Country to face Yeovil.

After beginning the Alliance League Cup group so well, they repeated the feat of last season as they made sure of qualifying after their last match, but this time they determined their own fate, and did not need the help of other sides to do it for them.

With five or even six teams getting through from their section, it should have been an easy task, but defeat at home to Swindon Town last time out had cast a few doubts in the minds.

A win would get them through, a draw and it was likely that they would still progress. Even a defeat, and results elsewhere, and again they could make it.

However a Friday morning departure, and an overnight stay over, would set the boys up well for the occasion. No tired bodies, but a fresh set of lads, wanting to get the right result for the club, and they did that with a convincing display and an end result.

The noon kick off saw the contest begin as both sides shared the early honours. However pressure on the home team saw Colchester take the lead through an own goal.

The team consolidated on this advantage and it then got even better as Sam Corcoran scored with a fine strike from outside the area. A 2-0 lead and things looked very good for the visitors.

It was an excellent first half for manager Mel Jeffries and his team and something for the team to build on. Half the job was done, but the work had to be completed.

Colchester needed to keep it tight, not make mistakes, hold the Yeovil side at a distance and the game would be theirs. They could not have asked for a better restart after half time, as instantly they netted a third goal.

Jeremiah Olusanya put Fabian Quintyn in on goal, and he turned and shot and it was finding the bottom corner of the net.

The game was effectively now killed off as a contest at that point.

With a 3-0 lead, Colchester could coast it a bit and in truth, there had only been one real threat in the game from the hosts, and that had come in the initial stages of the game, when the two sides had been battling for supremacy.

With the U's defence solid, the midfield in good control, and the front two very lively, Colchester were looking a good side.

Olusanya had come back from his loan spell at Bishops Stortford, and he was making several imposing runs down the flanks.

He was causing no end of danger and problems for Yeovil. As a result of his efforts, several good chances were created.

In the strike force, Russell Malton was showing loads of enthusiasm upfront, although he was unable to get on the score sheet himself.

After the evenly matched start, the U's managed to get a good grip on the match, and a 3-0 score line was probably a fair reflection based on the game as a whole.

Colchester, after a few nervy weeks have made it into the knock out stages of the Alliance League Cup and await the draw for the match to be played on 24th November.

Overall it was a good time for the boys to get away together for a couple of days, and the experience will do them good, as they continue on their progress at the club.

Team: Jack Smelt, Nathan Speed, Ryan Amass, James Hammond, Ben Griffiths, Josh Oakley, Jamie Wright, Sam Corcoran, Jeremiah Olusanya, Russell Malton and Fabian Quintyn

Used subs: Adam Bailey-Dennis for Ben Griffiths (60 mins), Triallist for Sam Corcoran (70 mins) and Perry Sansford for Russell Malton

Unused subs: Mitchell Nelson and James Eales (goalkeeper)
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