COLCHESTER reject Liam Trotter today told how he came back to haunt the club that spurned him, by netting for Ipswich on his home debut.A former pupil of the town's Northgate High School, the 19-year-old was twice rejected by the U's.

By Elvin King

COLCHESTER reject Liam Trotter today told how he came back to haunt the club that spurned him, by netting for Ipswich on his home debut.

A former pupil of the town's Northgate High School, the 19-year-old was twice rejected by the U's.

He eventually found his way to Portman Road as a 16-year-old via West Suffolk College Football School at Bury St Edmunds.

The midfielder, pictured, stole in to head the Blues into an

82nd minute 2-1 lead before they went on to complete a 3-1 victory over their nearest rivals.

“I had two lengthy trials at Colchester when I was 12 and again when I was 15,” revealed Trotter, who played for Ransomes Sports Youths as a lad.

“After a total of 20 weeks they decided not to take me on.”

The player, who came on as a substitute at Plymouth in Joe Royle's last game in charge, and again at Watford last season, talked about his goal.

“I didn't really know what to do,” he said. “Jason De Vos told me to follow him, to go in behind him - and the ball arrived on my head.

“When the ball hit the net it was a wonderful feeling and difficult to describe.

“I was preparing myself in case I was named substitute, and I spent Monday night dreaming that I would come on and score a goal.

“I must now carry on working hard in the reserves and hope that the manager might give me a start one day soon.”

Trotter paid a tribute to Danny Laws, manager of Ridgeons League table-toppers Needham Market - the man who led him into the professional game.

“Danny was in charge of the West Suffolk Soccer School and he made sure Ipswich Town were aware of me,” explained Trotter. “I owe him a lot.”

Ipswich stretched their winning Portman Road Coca-Cola Championship run to nine games after an eventful derby.

Neil Alexander saved a controversial Mark Yeates penalty in the 69th minute that would have put a well organised U's 2-0 ahead.

Jon Walters equalised two minutes later and after Trotter had set Portman Road alight, fellow substitute Danny Haynes put the icing on the cake with an 84th minute third goal.

Trotter, who won an FA Youth Cup winner's medal in his first season with Town, said it was not a penalty when Kevin Lisbie collided with Alexander.

“I was warming up on the touchline and had the same view as the assistant referee. It was not a spot kick.”

Town picked up no injuries and will be looking to extend their winning run to ten matches when they entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.