COLCHESTER UNITED 2

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 5

Under-18 Professional Development League Two

COLCHESTER United's under-18s were beaten by a free-scoring Nottingham Forest at Florence Park, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's suffered a fourth successive defeat, despite going ahead after just seven minutes from their first attack.

Reuben Mudd side-footed home from Harvey Sayer's low cross to the edge of the six-yard box.

But Forest were back on level terms nine minutes later through Joel Owusu, who netted from close range following Alex Mighten's through pass.

Jake Hutchinson stabbed a good chance wide and this proved crucial, as the visitors then took the lead after 18 minutes when Mighten outpaced the home defence and give keeper Callum Coulter no chance.

Colchester went in at half-time trailing but in the game, although Coulter made an agile block from Back's six-yard header.

But Forest extended their lead in unfortunate circumstances just before the hour through Will Swan, who rounded Coulter to score after the ball had deflected off the referee to a visiting player.

And it was soon 4-1 after 65 minutes as from a left-wing corner, Swan headed in unchallenged at the near post from six yards.

Forest then scored a fifth goal with 15 minutes remaining when Fin Back curled a 25-yard shot into the right hand corner.

Mudd's downward far-post header was well saved by keeper Rudolphs Soloha, before the U's grabbed a late second goal.

After substitute Thomas Donell had carried the ball from the edge of the Colchester box, Cornish then made further ground before feeding Hutchinson, who advanced and shot past Soloha.

COLCHESTER UNITED U18: Coulter, Wind, Kazeem, Cornish, Kennedy, Michaels, Akolbire (sub Donell, 65), Cooke (sub Morgan, 35), Mudd, Hutchinson, Sayer. Substitutes (not used): Gray, Maughn, Hallett.