Colchester United U18 1 - 0 Leyton Orient U18
Puma Youth Alliance South East Conference

DANIEL BYGRAVE saved two penalties but still ended up on the losing side as Orient were beaten by a controversial late goal at Colchester last Saturday.

The U's wasted their two spot kicks and Orient looked well set for a point until they were undone by Perry Sansford's strike, despite the Colchester man appearing to be in an offside position.

Orient's first chance of the game fell to winger Harry Baker, who flashed a drive wide of the far post after freeing himself from Tom Bender's attentions.

Colchester responded with a decent spell and left back Bender failed to hit the target with a header from Jimmy Pine's cross.

At the other end, Patrick O'Donnell was denied by an excellent save from home keeper Shane Cusack, who dived to save his header.

But towards the end of the opening period, Colchester were given a great chance to move into the lead when Michael Rafter was felled by keeper Bygrave as he bore down on goal.

A penalty was awarded, but Bygrave made up for giving away the foul by getting down to his right to stop Sam Corocan's effort.

Colchester began the second period strongly, but chances were at a premium and it was Orient who were first to go close, with Matt Hall seeing his effort get charged down.

With just over 15 minutes left, O'Donnell's clearance was blockec and as he tried to recover, he could only foul Michael Rafter inside the area.

This time it was Rafter who took responsibility from 12 yards, but he couldn't beat Bygrave either, with the O's stopper saving with his leg.

But just as it looked as though Orient would hold out for a point, their efforts were wiped out at the death when Conor McCloskey slipped a ball through to a suspiciously offside looking Sansford to run in on goal and tuck under Bygrave for the winner.