Premier League Cup Group H
Southend United U23s 1 (Walsh 90+4) Colchester United U23s 0
in an near empty Roots Hall accept the 97 diehards in attendance
Team Sheet
Highlights
1: The match is underway at Roots Hall. Blues are kicking towards the North Bank in the first half.
6: Blues goalkeeper Fin Purcell is cautioned after bringing down Samson Tovide outside the penalty area.
12: Harry Phillips follows Purcell into the referee's notepad as he is cautioned for simulation after going down just outside the Colchester penalty area.
14: Tovide is now down injured and is receiving treatment. The visiting players are suggesting John White caused the injury following an earlier altercation between the pair.
17: Red Card. Samson Tovide is dismissed after clattering White from behind. Blues will be up against ten men for the remainder of the match.
20: Blues have the first attempt on goal through central defender Jimmy Wallace, but he directs his header straight at experienced goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
23: Louis Walsh cuts in from the right-hand side and sends a shot towards goal, but the effort lacks power and Gerken is able to make a comfortable save.
26: Blues are ramping up the pressure as former U's youngster Rob Howard feeds Walsh and his clever pass for Cameron Brown just eludes the midfielder. The chance goes begging.
31: Colchester have their first sight of goal when Andre Hasanally beats the offside trap and feeds Chay Cooper, but White anticipates the pass and clears to safety.
38: Jon Benton goes to ground in the penalty area and Blues appeal for a spot-kick, but the referee isn't interested in the claim.
40: Yellow Card. A third caution for Blues as Jimmy Wallace is booked after being adjudged to have fouled Hasanally.
43: A chance for Blues following a foul on Walsh. Phillips takes the free-kick and the ball ricochets to Tayo Adedoja, who fizzes a shot across goal
45: The fourth official indicates there will be an additional three minutes to be played at the end of the first half.
45+2: Howard slips in the Blues box and presents Ryan Lowe with a chance for the U's, but White steps in front of him and makes a brilliant block.
Blues have enjoyed the better of the opening period, particularly after the dismissal of Samson Tovide for the visitors, but will need to find a winner during the second 45 minutes to keep their hopes of Premier League Cup progression alive.
HT: Blues substiution: Jaden Crowhurst on for Jack Bridge
48: Harry Phillips breaks into the penalty area early in the second period for Blues, but his low effort is cleared off the line by Miles Welsh Hayes.
54: Really good work by Rob Howard frees Jon Benton and his shot draws a fine save from Dean Gerken at the expense of a corner. Blues can't make anything of the resultant flag-kick.
55: John White is the latest player to be cautioned. The experienced defender is booked for dissent.
57: Colchester make their first substitution, with Jake Hutchinson replacing Chay Cooper.
59: Penalty to Blues! Louie Arrowsmith is brought down after a great run into the penalty area. Louis Walsh to take...
60: Walsh's spot-kick hits the right-hand post and Colchester scramble the ball away. It remains goalless at Roots Hall.
68: Phillips swings in a free-kick but Jimmy Wallace's header is easily claimed by Gerken.
69: Welsh Hayes is cautioned for a foul on Phillips.
71: Donell Thomas replaces Andre Hasanally for Colchester.
71: Harvey Sayers is the latest player to be booked. The U's defender is cautioned for dissent.
74: Crowhurst is fouled and Colchester's Marley Miranda Marshall is cautioned for delaying the restart of play.
77: Benton bursts clear, but his shot fizzes just past the post. Time is running out for Blues.
80: Phillips unfurls a left-footed drive, but the ball goes narrowly over the crossbar.
80: Another substitution for Colchester as Emmanuel Martins replaces Ryan Lowe.
83: It's now Benton's turn to direct a shot goalwards from the edge of the penalty area, but Gerken easily fields the ball.
90: The fourth official indicates there will be five additional minutes to be played.
90+4 GOOOAAALLLLL!!!!!! Louis Walsh deep into stoppage time! Blues are in front! The forward netted with a right-footed finish into the top corner of the net after a one-two between Adedoja and Benton ended with a pass into his path.
90+5: Colchester have a late corner, but it's cleared
Full Time Southend United U23s 1 Colchester United U23s 0 Premier League Cup
Louis Walsh's late winner means Blues narrow the gap on second-placed Stoke City to just two points. Danny Heath's side must beat the Potters, and hope Fulham defeat both Stoke and Colchester in their final two fixtures, in order to reach the knockout stages.
Southend United U23s 1 (Walsh 90+4) Colchester United U23s 0
in an near empty Roots Hall accept the 97 diehards in attendance
Team Sheet
Highlights
1: The match is underway at Roots Hall. Blues are kicking towards the North Bank in the first half.
6: Blues goalkeeper Fin Purcell is cautioned after bringing down Samson Tovide outside the penalty area.
12: Harry Phillips follows Purcell into the referee's notepad as he is cautioned for simulation after going down just outside the Colchester penalty area.
14: Tovide is now down injured and is receiving treatment. The visiting players are suggesting John White caused the injury following an earlier altercation between the pair.
17: Red Card. Samson Tovide is dismissed after clattering White from behind. Blues will be up against ten men for the remainder of the match.
20: Blues have the first attempt on goal through central defender Jimmy Wallace, but he directs his header straight at experienced goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
23: Louis Walsh cuts in from the right-hand side and sends a shot towards goal, but the effort lacks power and Gerken is able to make a comfortable save.
26: Blues are ramping up the pressure as former U's youngster Rob Howard feeds Walsh and his clever pass for Cameron Brown just eludes the midfielder. The chance goes begging.
31: Colchester have their first sight of goal when Andre Hasanally beats the offside trap and feeds Chay Cooper, but White anticipates the pass and clears to safety.
38: Jon Benton goes to ground in the penalty area and Blues appeal for a spot-kick, but the referee isn't interested in the claim.
40: Yellow Card. A third caution for Blues as Jimmy Wallace is booked after being adjudged to have fouled Hasanally.
43: A chance for Blues following a foul on Walsh. Phillips takes the free-kick and the ball ricochets to Tayo Adedoja, who fizzes a shot across goal
45: The fourth official indicates there will be an additional three minutes to be played at the end of the first half.
45+2: Howard slips in the Blues box and presents Ryan Lowe with a chance for the U's, but White steps in front of him and makes a brilliant block.
Blues have enjoyed the better of the opening period, particularly after the dismissal of Samson Tovide for the visitors, but will need to find a winner during the second 45 minutes to keep their hopes of Premier League Cup progression alive.
HT: Blues substiution: Jaden Crowhurst on for Jack Bridge
48: Harry Phillips breaks into the penalty area early in the second period for Blues, but his low effort is cleared off the line by Miles Welsh Hayes.
54: Really good work by Rob Howard frees Jon Benton and his shot draws a fine save from Dean Gerken at the expense of a corner. Blues can't make anything of the resultant flag-kick.
55: John White is the latest player to be cautioned. The experienced defender is booked for dissent.
57: Colchester make their first substitution, with Jake Hutchinson replacing Chay Cooper.
59: Penalty to Blues! Louie Arrowsmith is brought down after a great run into the penalty area. Louis Walsh to take...
60: Walsh's spot-kick hits the right-hand post and Colchester scramble the ball away. It remains goalless at Roots Hall.
68: Phillips swings in a free-kick but Jimmy Wallace's header is easily claimed by Gerken.
69: Welsh Hayes is cautioned for a foul on Phillips.
71: Donell Thomas replaces Andre Hasanally for Colchester.
71: Harvey Sayers is the latest player to be booked. The U's defender is cautioned for dissent.
74: Crowhurst is fouled and Colchester's Marley Miranda Marshall is cautioned for delaying the restart of play.
77: Benton bursts clear, but his shot fizzes just past the post. Time is running out for Blues.
80: Phillips unfurls a left-footed drive, but the ball goes narrowly over the crossbar.
80: Another substitution for Colchester as Emmanuel Martins replaces Ryan Lowe.
83: It's now Benton's turn to direct a shot goalwards from the edge of the penalty area, but Gerken easily fields the ball.
90: The fourth official indicates there will be five additional minutes to be played.
90+4 GOOOAAALLLLL!!!!!! Louis Walsh deep into stoppage time! Blues are in front! The forward netted with a right-footed finish into the top corner of the net after a one-two between Adedoja and Benton ended with a pass into his path.
90+5: Colchester have a late corner, but it's cleared
Full Time Southend United U23s 1 Colchester United U23s 0 Premier League Cup
Louis Walsh's late winner means Blues narrow the gap on second-placed Stoke City to just two points. Danny Heath's side must beat the Potters, and hope Fulham defeat both Stoke and Colchester in their final two fixtures, in order to reach the knockout stages.
