Post 16 action took centre-stage at St Paul’s, as Millwall took on Colchester United.

This was set to be an intriguing affair, both teams look sharp and ready for a war. Straight from the off Colchester were through on goal, but a smart move from Shaun kept it 0-0.

This was set up to be end to end, moments later from Shaun’s save, Millwall found themselves with an opportunity. A ball swung into Justin, but he failed to convert as his effort was over the bar.

A Colchester wonder-goal opened the scoring straight away, a direct corner caught Millwall and Shaun off guard as it landed straight into the top corner. A true moment of brilliance from the young Essex boys.

Millwall pushed and pushed, Justin broke away onto the left hand flank and forced a brilliant save from Colchester's Bradley, Mustafa got to the rebound and looked to have slotted it into the corner, but the Colchester man was there to clear.

Millwall started to respond well, constantly looking to get in behind time and time again. It paid off as Israel scored a sublime effort, twisting and turning past the backline giving himself a chance to cooly slot home the equaliser. Millwall looking sharp and up to the standard.

A beautiful passage of play with Justin bolting down the left hand side to slide in Tylan who drove it into the bottom right hand corner. He thought to have given Millwall the advantage. Tylan broke into celebration, only to realise the goal was disallowed. Definitely a passage of play that deserved to have stood.

Millwall were in the mood. A beautiful string of passes on the right hand side between the likes of Israel, Mustafa and Tylan combined to give the latter the chance to give the young Lions the lead and he smashed it! A tidy finish to wrap up a beautiful move gave the Post-16's the lead, and the best news is this one stood for Tylan!

Colchester are no pushover however, if given the space they will punish you. A free-kick on the edge of the area just inches above the crossbar. This was shaping up to be an amazing contest.

The end to end nature of this game was starting to show, a lovely hit half volley on the edge of the box was nicely handled by Shaun, while moments later Israel’s effort dragged just wide of the Colchester net.

Millwall’s front three were causing havoc. Justin found himself one-on-one, his lobbed effort just over the goal before being flagged for offside.

Millwall were in complete control, a beautiful lobbed ball on the right hand side sent Tylan on his way, his effort seemed to be safe with Colchester's keeper, but he spilt and left Mustafa with an easy finish for 3-1! A true show of character from Mcfayden’s side as Millwall started to flex their muscles over their opponents.

The half-time whistle blew and Millwall were in cruise control. Some very well taken goals combined with relentless energy and bite put them in a very promising position.

The second-half started off slow, Millwall doing all the basics and it was working. Israel poking it to Justin whose deflected effort went wide of the post.

Colchester were hanging on by a thread. A counter attacking scenario down the left saw Shaun make a smart save. Moments later it felt like de-ja-vu as the almost exact scenario happened again, and the same outcome. Shaun having a solid game in goal. 

Almost instant impact from the substitute Caden, he cut in on the the left and sent a rocket straight into the Colchester keeper's hands.

Millwall started to solidify their advantage, not letting Colchester have a sniff at goal. Caden would produce another strong effort, and it was pushed away by the keeper.

The young Lions just kept on pushing, multiple chances came and went for Mustafa, who had looked extremely sharp. The skipper showing why he has the armband.

Millwall were relentless, all it took was one moment of brilliance to break down a spirited Colchester defence. That moment eventually came from Israel, whizzing through three players effortlessly before smashing the ball into the net to make it four! Pure footballing excellence and that shows the quality the boy possesses. An excellent performance by him!

Full-time eventually came, a truly gutsy performance from our Post-16's rounding off an excellent 4-1 result.

Written by Reece Endicott 

#Downbytheriver

#Millwall

To find out more about about Millwall's Post-16 Academy, visit: https://millwall.charityhive.dev/e-mct-football-academy