REPORT BY BRIAN WALLER
The U's were on their travels again as they looked to record their third consecutive win, and to finish the season on a high.

The only change in the starting line up saw Ollie Brown on the right side of midfield, replacing Russell Malton, who joined the full bench of five travelling first year substitutes.

On a bright but blustery morning and on a difficult surface, the youth team were looking to extend their recent good run of form against a young Northampton side.

They were also hoping to avenge the 3-0 defeat at the Garrison ground in early December.

Albeit that day it was a junior Colchester squad, as several players were resting on that occasion prior to the FA Youth Cup tie at Rushden that was to follow three days later.

The match against Northampton started evenly but the U's were soon get the ball wide, out to Jeremiah Olusanya, whose speed is always a feature of his play, and from one of his crosses, Fabian Quintyn headed wide.

The visiting team went close again, and this time it was right back Kyelan Marvell sending the ball in with Perry Sansford heading off target.

Colchester continued to press with Josh Oakley from midfield shooting over from 20 yards out, and Olusanya going close twice, with one effort going over and the other wide, as he cut in from the left.

It was not all Colchester in the opening half, as the home team did pose problems, with Colchester being troubled by high balls over the top and down the flanks.

Although the two big strikers were being involved quite a bit, in truth, keeper Jack Smelt did not really have a save to make. Half time then came, with the game still scoreless.

However it was to be an action packed second half as after the interval, there were goals to be seen, as the game swayed one way and then the other.

The U's started the brighter, with the central midfield duo of Oakley and Adam Bailey-Dennis moving the ball around quicker, and Olusanya on the wing, always looking a real threat.

On the hour, it was the U's who broke the deadlock, and it was an inspired substitution as Russell Malton had a dream entrance into the match.

On the hour mark he came on as a sub, and scored with his first touch in the game.

It came from an Oakley delivery from a corner, Quintyn saw the keeper saving his effort, but Malton was on the spot to finish powerfully from twelve yards out.

With fifteen minutes to go, there was a double Colchester substitution with Ben Griffiths and Sam Corcoran on for Marvell and Bailey-Dennis, with Corcoran instrumental in all good things done by the U`s from then on.

From his corner, the U's had a great opportunity to go 2-0 ahead, but seconds later it was 1-1.

From his delivery in, centre back James Hammond blazed over from six yards, and when that same player went to ground in midfield, from the resulting goal kick, the home side were able to break away, with the resulting effect that the centre forward was able to finish off neatly the chance in the box..

However the U`s were to fight back well as after further pressure by them, a set piece move orchestrated by Corcoran, saw his ball in headed back across goal by Hammond, where a resulting hand ball, earned Colchester a penalty kick. Josh Oakley duly put away.

However the visitors were making life hard for themselves, and again an error saw them conceding.

This time it was Mitchell Nelson with some sloppy defending, after he failed to deal with the ball.

This allowed the home man to get down the side, taking the ball to the dead ball line, and when two defenders failed to cut out the cross, the chance was put away to make it 2-2, and the win seemed to be slipping away.

However Colchester were not to be denied and grabbed another good away victory netting again after some further pressure.

Once more it was some great work by Corcoran as his ball in fell to Fabian Quintyn who made no mistake, converting from six yards out.

The U's managed to see out the game with no more major incidents, and await their final league action, at home to Southend United on 19th April.

However they still have to meet Brighton at home in the area final of FA Youth Alliance League Cup - date and venue yet to be decided.

The winners will play either Hartlepool or Hull who meet in the Northern Final.

Team: Jack Smelt, Kyelan Marvell, James Hammond, Mitchell Nelson, Nathan Speed, Ollie Brown, Josh Oakley, Adam Bailey-Dennis, Jeremiah Olusanya, Fabian Quintyn and Perry Sansford

Used subs: Russell Malton, Sam Corcoran and Ben Griffiths with unused subs: Ryan Amass and Jimmy Pirie