By BRIAN WALLER

COLCHESTER UTD U23s 3 QPR U23s 1

Professional Development League

A STRONG Colchester United team which included several first-team players came from a goal behind to beat Queens Park Rangers in the Professional Development League.

The match saw a full 90 minutes for Harry Pell who was returning after his long-term injury.

The match was really competitive from the start with the referee a busy man as he looked to keep control of the game and there was an early yellow card for the U's Ryan Clampin.

Colchester had an early chance as Miguel Scarlett fired straight into the away keeper’s arms, but it was Rangers who took the lead.

Deshane Dalli was found in space on the right and drove in a cross shot which U's keeper Ethan Ross pushed away, but the ball ran out to Olamide Shadipo who was on hand to put the chance away on 14 minutes.

After falling behind, though, Colchester began to get on top and started to create good chances.

A free-kick was won on the left and from the delivery in by Ollie Sims, Omar Showunmi headied over the bar, but soon after that. the hosts were level.

Pell found Sims with a pass on the left and from his cross, Louis Dunne converted at the far post on the half-hour mark.

It was a good spell for Sims as he was involved in the next two attacks.

First his delivery in was headed out only as far as Freddie Hinds but his shot back in lacked real power and was cleared by a defender.

However Sims’ next involvement was then to be more productive as QPR conceded a corner and from his ball in, Showunmi's header went into the net to put them ahead after 35 minutes.

The U’s then went close again when Dunne hit the bar from 25 yards out and when Hinds got a header in from the rebound, Rangers keeper Tyla Dickinson saved from close range as it stayed 2-1 at half-time.

After the interval, both teams had early shouts for a penalty, QPR for a foul and when Clampin crossed from the left, a falling defender may have handled the ball, but neither were given.

Colchester had more chances as Pell saw an attempt blocked and Showunmi headed wide, but there was no further breakthrough until time added on at the end.

Any worries of a late equaliser for Rangers were dispelled as Freddie Hinds picked up on a loose pass and strolled forward.

Although the keeper saved his initial shot, Jevani Brown was on hand to drive a left foot strike into the net from around 25 yards out to seal the victory.

Colchester United: Ethan Ross, Miguel Scarlett, Omar Showunmi, Danny Collinge, Ryan Clampin, Louis Dunne, Harry Pell, Brandon Sarpong-Wiredu, Freddie Hinds, Jevani Brown, Ollie Sims. Subs: Diogo Freitas-Gouveia, Diaz Wright. Unused subs: Callum Coulter, Matt Weaire, Dean Ager.