COLCHESTER United defender Pat Baldwin has dedicated his first-ever goal to young U's supporter Emily Begg, who passed away last week following a long struggle against leukaemia.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United defender Pat Baldwin has dedicated his first-ever goal to young U's supporter Emily Begg, who passed away last week following a long struggle against leukaemia.

Every U's player had his head shaved on Friday in memory of teenager Emily and to help raise money for her favourite charity, Teenage Cancer Trust.

Baldwin, sporting his new crew-cut, swept home his first ever goal on 74 minutes to help the U's to a commanding 3-0 win over Southend. He said: “I dedicate this win, and my goal, to Emily. She came to see us a lot last season. She was a lovely girl and I hope that her family can take something out of this game.

“I'm relieved to have finally broken my scoring duck. I've hit the post and the bar before, and also scored in pre-season, but this was my first senior goal.

“Hopefully, it will contribute to the points tally that we need to keep us up.”