Nikita Haikin - 6
First tested around the half-hour mark when he safely caught a free-kick from around 25-yards. One or two nervy moments with his feet including being closed down for a clearance upfield. No chance with the opening goal and unlucky with the second from close range.
Kane Wilson - 6
An interesting battle up against the powerful Al-Amin Kazeem. Tried to play as high up as possible but was pegged back by the runs of the left-back. A handful of searching crosses but none that presented clear goalscoring opportunities. Very quiet in the second half but an important 90 minutes in the tank.
Harry Leeson - 7
Played on the right of the defensive three. Prefer to see him out wide where he has the opportunity to showcase his passing ability. Was the last man and stuck to his task well, particularly marshalling Thomas.
Duncan Idehen - 6
Relatively solid in the middle of the three with some strong headers up against the towering Bradley Ihionven. Booked for a lunge on Kaan Bennett. Won some important interceptions under pressure and was effective in bringing the ball out.
Callum Wood (off 70, Campbell-Slowey) - 6
Made a superb interception in the first half to deny a cross from finding his opponent. Booked for a challenge in the second half and was forced to cover Morrison at times with Oscar Thorn getting around him.
Elijah Morrison - 6
Didn't have the opportunity to push forward as much as he would have liked in the left wing-back role. That was a credit to the way Colchester pressed in wide positions. Was beaten once or twice down his side with the cross-field pass including for their second of the afternoon.
Josh Owers (off 70, Porton) - 7
Opened the scoring by winning the ball in midfield and breaking forward before finding the bottom corner. Was up for the scrap in the middle but was overrun on occasions alongside Taylor-Clarke.
Omar Taylor-Clarke - 6
Kept play ticking over playing in the holding role although was quickly put under pressure with the ball at his feet. Was frustrated with himself following a couple of misplaced passes. Jayden Fevrier gave him a tough, physical test in the middle.
Marlee Francois (off 45, Backwell) - 6
Bags of technical ability playing in that No10 position. Can manoeuvre out of tight areas under pressure but faded out of the contest as the half went on.
Olly Thomas (off 58, Yeboah) - 5
A real threat when he's running at the defence with his pace and power but his touch was heavy on occasions in good opportunities. His final ball was lacking and was substituted soon after Colchester's second.
Seb Palmer-Houlden - 6
Had a powerful header superbly stopped to deny City from doubling their lead after 15 minutes. A threat in the air but wasn't supplied with enough deliveries into the box. Made some good runs down the flanks to stretch the defence in the second half.
Substitutes
Tommy Backwell (on 45, Francois) - 6
Introduced presumably to give City more control in midfield but found it tough up against a physical Colchester side.
Ephraim Yeboah (on 58, Thomas) - 6
Had a header tipped over the bar shortly after his introduction. Looked lively and got himself into good positions inside the area just without the service.
Joe Porton (on 70, Owers) - N/A
Struggled to have an impact on the game in the final 20 minutes.
Josh Campbell-Slowey (on 70, Wood) - N/A
A straight swap for Wood. Certainly has the height and strength at the back but little time to showcase his potential.
Subs not used: Mac Boyd
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