The U’s fell to defeat against Championship opposition Charlton Athletic 2-0 at the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Two goals in quick succession for the visitors sealed the defeat in our final home pre-season match.
Danny and Nicky Cowley made three changes from the draw vs the West Ham XI, seeing Frankie Terry, Kane Vincent-Young and Kaion Lisbie drop out of the starting 11 and replaced by Rob Hunt, Sam Kuffour Jr, and a Trialist.
It was a very back and forth opening 10 minutes. Charlton showed more aggression with a Harvey Knibbs shot being stopped by Harrison Chamberlain in between the sticks.
The U’s closest attempt in the first half came through a break by Harry Anderson and Bradley Ihionvein, which saw Ihionvien’s shot blocked by a Charlton defender.
Charlton stuck first, though, as a cross from Billy Koumetio found Matty Godden, who put it in the back of the net to give The Addicks the lead mid-way through the first half.
Just minutes later, Charlton doubled their lead as Knibbs found Karlan Grant alone in the box to slot an effort past Chamberlain and double the visitors’ lead in quick succession.
Charlton nearly had a third before half-time, as a well worked dribble into the box allowed Godden to release curled shot which had to be stopped by Chamberlain and cleared Sean Raggett.
The U’s returned from half time on the front foot, seeing a Raggett header stopped by Will Mannion in the Charlton goal.
Midway through the second half, the Cowleys made a mass substitution with the likes of Jake Leake, Vincent-Young, and Terry coming on, giving the U’s a new look for the closing moments of the match.
The U’s still looked to threaten. A pass from Kien Connolly sent a Trialist through, but his effort from range was wide of the post.
The Addicks continued to press for a third goal in the closing stages, with Chamberlian claiming crosses into the penalty area. However, Colchester were unable to mount a late response, and Charlton saw out the remaining minutes.
U’s – Chamberlain, Hunt, Iandolo, Digby, Anderson, Ihionvein, Payne, Trialist, Raggett, Oni, Kuffour Jr
Subs – Leake, Terry, Vincent-Young, Lisbie, Connolly, Jolliffe, Harvey, Trialist, Trialist
