Lowestoft Town 0 Colchester United 0

Pre-Season Friendly

Lowestoft Town 0 Colchester United 0

COLCHESTER United failed to break down stubborn non-league outfit Lowestoft Town last night at Crown Meadow.

John Ward’s squad have still to concede a goal during pre-season, but the U’s boss would have be disappointed with his side’s efforts in the final third against a side that play four divisions below them.

Kayode Odejayi side-footed at keeper Andy Reynolds from six yards out in the first half before Reynolds hacked Steven Gillespie’s scuffed close range effort off his line after the interval.

U’s keeper Mark Cousins made a smart stop to deny Danny Bloomfield just past the hour mark in a useful work out for the Trawlerboys, a team who have just completed back-to-back promotions to the Ryman League Premier Division (step three).

Odejayi partnered Ashley Vincent up front with Ward opting to keep Gillespie in reserve after his weekend brace against Heybridge Swifts.

Blues frontman Lee McGlone poked wide with Cousins – remaining goal due to Ben Williams’ knee injury – racing from his goal line in a bright start for the hosts.

David Perkins picked out Kem Izzet’s overlapping run for the visitors, but Reynolds parried the striker’s right footer before Curtis Haynes-Brown dispossessed Odejayi after the bustling striker had been first on the rebound.

Cousins punched decisively under pressure from Haynes-Brown from Scott Mitchell’s inswinging corner with the hosts looking to cash in on the athletic centre back’s aerial prowess at every set piece.

Izzet’s glancing header sailed a yard off target just past the half-hour mark after raiding full back Brian Wilson cashed in on Scott Mitchell’s underhit pass.

Odejayi then spurned the clearest chance of the half when the ex-Barnsley man side-footed at Reynolds from six yards out under no pressure following Andy Bond’s precise cut back.

Simon Hackney’s wayward 25-yard free kick summed up an opening period big on effort but lacking any real quality. Vincent’s far post header dropped tamely at Reynolds with the visitors continuing to probe down both flanks for an opener.

U’s substitute John White slashed wide seconds after his introduction with Joe Francis out quickly to hurry the experienced defender.

Odejayi headed Anthony Wordsworth’s cross wide with the United frontman again unchallenged just inside the Lowestoft penalty box – Odejayi’s last act of the game before making way for Platt.

Jamie Forshaw’s looping header from six yards bounced up and over Cousins’ crossbar following good persistence by strike partner McGlone.

Stand out performer Haynes-Brown departed on 66 minutes to warm applause from the home fans after appearing to twist awkwardly on landing in a challenge with Platt. Master predator Bloomfield soon raced in behind Pat Baldwin but Cousins was down sharply to palm away his angled strike.

Reynolds kicked away Gillespie’s scuffed toe poke from point blank range after Wordsworth’s cross disected the Trawlerboys’ backline before White’s first time flick dropped wide as United finished the stronger.

Lowestoft: Reynolds, Cave-Brown, Smith, Ainsley, Crane, Haynes-Brown, Mitchell, Fisk, McGlone, Forshaw, Francis.

Subs: Halliday, Poppy, Bussens, Plaskett, Hun, Marsden, Finch.

Colchester: Cousins, Wilson (White 72), Reid (Okuonghae 46), Baldwin (Heath 72), Tierney (Maybury 72), Vincent (Henderson 46), Bond (Beevers 72), Izzet (James 46), Perkins (Gillespie 67), Hackney (Wordsworth 46), Odejayi (Platt 57).

Unused Subs: Phillips, Elito, Coker, Corcoran.

Att: 569.