COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert was incensed with the challenge that left U's reserve left-back Ben Griffths with a broken nose.

Carl Marston

Colchester soccer, secondary story

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert was incensed with the challenge that left U's reserve left-back Ben Griffths with a broken nose.

Griffths received the injury during Wednesday night's Essex Senior Cup tie against Aveley Town, which ended in a 2-1 win for the League One hosts.

Teenager Griffiths, a member of the U's youth team set-up, was felled by a robust challenge from Aveley striker Joel Barnett - the United camp believe that a use of the elbow accounted for the youngster's nasty injury.

“I would love there to be a few more games for the reserves, to help with the big jump up to senior level, but this was not a good advert for it!” fumed Lambert.

“I was very disappointed with the challenge. Our lad (Griffiths) has got a broken nose. I was not happy with it.

“I don't mind a competitive game, but not like that. The referee and linesman both saw the incident, which made it really disappointing,” added Lambert, with reference to Barnett receiving just a yellow card.

Two penalties from Scott Vernon secured a narrow win for an experienced Colchester team, which also included senior players Dean Gerken, Chris Coyne, Phil Ifil, Medy Eltio and Sunday-Akanni Wasiu. Striker Vernon netted the winner in stoppage time.