COLCHESTER United's under-18s were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City, in their latest Professional Development League Two game, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Two days after their FA Youth Cup success at Dorking Wanderers the U’s were back in league action as they faced the Swans, at Maldon and Tiptree FC.

This was the first meeting between the two sides, since January 2015.

In their first season in the Academy structure they had beaten City 3-0 at Florence Park with the goals coming from Jack Simmons, Jack Curtis and Macaulay Bonne in August 2012.

And there was more success when they travelled down to Wales in March 2013 and won 1-0, thanks to a goal by Nnamdi Nwachuku.

However things did not go so well a season later as Colchester lost 2-0 in the home match in November 2014 and 8-0 away in January, 2015.

In the next season, the Swans were promoted into the Category One structure.

However due to financial issues, Swansea were demoted down to Category 2 for the current season.

Colchester topped the table after their remarkable 5-3 win over Hull City, a game where they recovered a 3-0 deficit.

Hull, who were seventh in the table had drawn their previous two, 1-1 away at Coventry City and 3-3 at home to Wigan Athletic.

In the match, Swansea scored twice early in the game with one of their goals coming from Cameron Congreve.

But Colchester fought back well with Tom Stagg scoring once again, on target in the second half.

Despite the defeat the U’s remain top of a closely-fought league, that saw Ipswich Town beat Bristol City 4-0 and Watford defeat Charlton Athletic 1-0 in the Saturday matches.