Two games, 12 goals

Tuesday 26 August 2025, Colchester United Under 21s 3 Coventry City Under 21s 2, Professional Development League, Florence Park

1pm - but kicked off closer to 1.20pm

Colchester back at their training ground after a couple of seasons at Maldon. Played on pitch closest to Changing room/office block, surprised no dug outs for teams ( and it rained,) also spectator area very cramped.

Coventry arrived late so game kicked off 15 minutes late with Coventry having little time to warm up, Colchester took advantage of this and were one up after 8 minutes and had numerous other chances but Coventry grew into the game and went in at the break 2-1 up after goals in the 21st and 29th minute. Second half saw Colchester take charge and equalised with the best goal of the game on 52 minutes, an acrobatic effort by Kaion Lisbie ( son of former Col Utd player, Kevin). Colchester then got a winner after 62 minutes, making it 3 wins out of 3 so far this season. Good to meet the author of 'European Football's Greatest Grounds' so second half was spent taking about Moldova, Serbia and Argentina!

Then off to Cambridge

Hardwick 7 Orwell 0, Cambridgeshire County League, The Recreation Ground

6.15pm

Small public recreation ground in a small village north west of Cambridge, seemed to be mainly a modern housing development. Small car park but plenty of on street parking either side of the Rec. The surprise was to find a large club house/community centre with a full bar and in the car park a 'posh' burger van - both doing good business. The pitch was roped off on both sides.

Hardwick were far the better team and took the lead on 20 minutes, with a header from a corner. Orwell had a few chances but Hardwick should have been at least 2 or 3 goals up at the break.

Second half was still mainly Hardwick and the goals started to flow from the 65th minute as Orwell tired and their offside trap failed numerous times - with goals on 65, 66, 68, 77, 88 and 89 minutes.

Sun has got its hat on

Tuesday 24 January 2017, Colchester United U23 2 Southend United U23 1 - Central League Cup, Florence Park

A trip to Florence Park to not only visit the Colchester United Academy set up but also see the Essex Under 23 derby match - not a bad game and at least the frost had gone - in fact it turned out to be sunny day.

It may have been a derby match but the game was played in good spirit, thanks for that must go to a good set of match officials. Colchester looked more like a passing team and it was not till the game became scrappy in the second half did Southend get back in the game.

Colchester will be glad to get a win as they had lost their first 3 games in this competition, but to be honest this may have been one competition too many entered by the north Essex side.

Oh and I met non-league guru and super groundhopper, Peter Miles!