Colchester United under-18s defeated by Sheffield United

They lost 4-1 at Sheffield United in their last league match of the campaign.

It was a journey that they had made just a few weeks before but that trip had proved fruitless as the match was to be cancelled minutes before kick-off due to heavy rain.

Indeed Colchester got off to the best possible start but fortunes had been with them in scoring the goal.

The home side had a couple of early chances through Tom Williams and Jake Kelly.

But it was the visitors who took the lead on 19 minutes with a freak goal.

The clearance by home keeper Jordan Amissah struck a U’s player then rebounded against the post for Jake Hutchinson to put away the rebound.

The hosts were made to work hard in the first half but did just draw level just after the half hour mark when Josh Scott tapped home after the attempt by George Broadbent had been pushed out.

It was still equality at the break but on 54 minutes Sheffield nearly took the lead when Kelly went on a great solo run but then slid his shot just wide.

The home pressure was mounting as Scott hit the bar before a home change saw Frankie Maguire on for Leo Gaxha.

Finally the Blades took the lead on 73 minutes.

A good move saw a dummy by Sam Ackroyd and then a pass by Kelly set up George Broadbent to fire his side into the lead.

Five minutes later and it was 3-1 as a loose ball was intercepted and a lob by Scott was over the Colchester keeper and went in off the post.

The away side then contributed to the home tally as a cross by Broadbent was headed into his own goal by a U’s defender.

It turned out to a good East Anglia weekend for the Blades as their 4-0 win at Ipswich Town had denied them the Southern title, last Saturday.

By only drawing 1-1 at Crystal Palace on Tuesday – Town had to be content with the runners-up spot to Cardiff City with a potential visit to Leeds United or Sheffield Wednesday awaiting them in the end of season play-offs.