With several of Eddie Keen's squad in action for the U's under-21s at Sunderland in the Premier League Cup, it was a very young squad who took to the field against the Swans, in the latest Professional Development League game.
Of Colchester's squad of 16, ten were under-16 players or younger. Colchester enjoyed an excellent first half which saw them lead, with two goals by Leo Makatta.
However, the match changed after half-time as they had no answer to the visitors’ excellent comeback.
Having been two goals behind at the break, Swansea levelled things up at 2-2 through Kaven Blondiarczyk and Kai Rhodes.
An eight-goal battle at Florence Park yesterday saw our Under-18s edged out despite a first-half brace from Leo Makatta and a late goal from skipper Ryan Mombo.#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/5QGBeJKukG
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) October 19, 2025
Although skipper Ryan Mombo restored Colchester's lead, things then went downhill after that and the crowd by now were watching a very exciting game.
The U's third goal seemed to rattle the away players and supporters and after a kerfuffle, Colchester's Josh Adesanya was unfortunate to get a red card.
Despite many valiant saves by keeper Oscar Roberts, who was in for the injured Oscar Parker, he was unable to prevent the Swans adding three more goals through Wahab Ojetoro, Callum Jones and Billy Clarke.
Ollie Gower was superb and not being drawn into the trouble as the game became rather feisty, defending really well. And up until his red card, Adesanya had produced a lot of good play.
Sadly, he went off after a fair amount of provocation from the away team's players, as Colchester were beaten.
Colchester United U21: Oscar Roberts, Owen Warren, Ollie Gower, Trialist, Ryan Mombo, Dwayne Campino Do Vale, Bruce Okuku, Riley Smith, Leo Makatta, Josh Adesanya, Neo Lieu Smith. Subs: Arthur Shaw, Fiki Adesanya, Oscar Zachary, Shane Sesay, Brian Igbo.
Swansea City U21: Tom Wright, Billy Clarke, Kaven Blondiarczyk, Brogan Popham, Calo Ifans, Kai Rhodes, Ben Phillips, Morgan, Evans and Callum Jones. Subs: May, Wahab Ojetoro, Alfie Jones, Grant, Carter Heywood.
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