After the Youth Cup excitement at Carrow Road the previous evening, it was always going to be a hard act to follow for the Reserves as they travelled to Layer Road on Wednesday. That certainly proved to be the case, for although City won the game with a goal from Jim Brennan, it was a soon to be forgotten game, not least of all for winger Mark Rivers who had to be substituted after just 10 minutes with a thigh strain. By this time Brennan had already scored the only goal of the game, when he sent a looping header over the keeper from a Clint Easton cross. That was very much it for the first half, for while they moved the ball around well, City only had one other attempt on goal of note, Phil Mulryne lifting a shot over the advancing keeper but wide of the target.

Colchester found no way past a commanding Jason Shackell

Into the second half and Mulryne did force Richard McKinney into a save, but late in the game it was the stunning one handed save from Paul Crichton to deny Leon Coleman that produced warm applause from the hardy band of spectators and secured City the win. City Line-up: Crichton, Briggs, Chick [Smith 80], Sinclair [Crow 80], Shackell, Crane, Rivers [Batt 10], Easton, Henderson, Mulryne, Brennan. Sub Not Used: Herbert.

Further Action From The Match
Jason Shackell wins another header	Pre-match warm-up at a deserted Layer Road
Mark Rivers had to leave the field early on with a thigh injury	Jim Brennan, who got the only goal
Report and Pictures courtesy of John Landamore.