COLCHESTER United under-18s beat Swansea City 4-2 in their final home Professional Development League match of the season, writes BRIAN WALLER.

On a warm sunny day in Maldon, it was a mixed first half for Elliott Ward's youngsters.

An early searching ball saw Max Jolliffe cut out ahead of Cameron Llewellyn, who was the main danger for the away side.

Makhaya James then held off right-back Billy Clarke but his cross was an easy gather for keeper Sam Seager.

 

Colchester took the lead on six minutes as a ball in from the right ricocheted straight to Jamie Arnold, who could hardly miss from close range.

Harlan Perry drove a shot just wide soon after, before the hosts scored a superb second goal.

A long ball from the back by Caiden Lewis picked out the run by James behind Clarke and he in turn found Ollie Godziemski, who guided a shot to the left of the keeper, on 16 minutes.

Sabah's shot was deflected over the bar for corner before Swansea pulled a goal back on 39 minutes.

 

After Llewellyn had got the ball across Thomas Woodward turned the ball in, with U's keeper Harrison Chamberlain looking as if he may have a hand to it.

Colchester went in at the break ahead but overplay at the back cost them a goal, on 56 minutes.

A pass back to the keeper saw him mishit his clearance straight to Woodward, who shot back past him for 2-2.

Jolliffe fired just over before Colchester restored their lead, on 74 minutes.

From a right wing Godziemski cross, the ball was helped on and James, coming around the back, headed in.

And the U's wrapped up victory through substitute James Sasere, who drove his shot into the net after James had latched onto Chamberlain's clearance and picked him out.

There was one late attack by Swansea but some superb defending by Milton Oni averted the danger, as the U's claimed victory.

Colchester United U18: Harrison Chamberlain, Bailey Berry, Caiden Lewis (sub Alex Kokoshi), Makhaya James, Milton Oni, Max Jolliffe, Elkanah Akor, Kai Martin, Jamie Arnold (sub Alfie Newby), Burak Sabah (sub James Sasere), Ollie Godziemski. Subs (not used): Jack Sexton, Alamin Kosoko.