Colchester vs Peterborough

Peterborough started sharply and took the lead inside nine minutes. Evan Weir and Bolu Shofowoke combined down the left, creating the chance for ex-Colchester winger Owura Edwards to score from close range against his former club (8').

Bradley Ihionvien — on loan at the U's from Posh for the 2026/27 season — flashed a shot wide before the wave of substitutions. Shortly after the changes, Ihionvien squared for Jack Payne, who squeezed a shot past Lucca Mendonca on the goal-line to level the scores (32').

Two minutes before the break, Harry Leonard fired wide with his left foot after good approach play as Posh ended the first half strongly at 1-1.

Ben Woods saw a free-kick beaten away by the Colchester goalkeeper on 51 minutes. On 65 minutes, the same goalkeeper made a double save to deny Leonard from close range. Ten minutes later, Kaion Lisbie raced onto a Khela pass but his shot was deflected wide following a last-ditch tackle that the winger felt was a penalty.

From the resulting corner, a spot-kick was awarded for holding in the box, and Leonard converted from 12 yards (76').

Colchester hit back again when Milton Oni raced clear and dinked a finish over goalkeeper Alex Bass (82'). But with four minutes left, Leonard glanced a header against the post from a corner, and when Colchester failed to clear the rebound, Khela won it with a strike from distance that beat the goalkeeper (87').

Leonard's glancing header against the post from a corner in the 86th minute — a near-miss that would have sealed the game for Posh — became the catalyst instead. When Colchester failed to clear the rebound, Khela collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a shot that flew past the goalkeeper. The sequence, a set-piece almost scored then a secondary strike from range, flipped the momentum back to Peterborough within seconds.

Brandon Khela (Peterborough) — Entered as a 30-minute substitute and had a hand in the penalty-winning corner before scoring the decisive goal from distance. His energy in midfield lifted Posh in the closing stages. Player of the match.

Harry Leonard (Peterborough) — Drew a double save from the Colchester goalkeeper, converted the penalty, and hit the post with a glancing header. Unlucky not to have more than one goal.

Owura Edwards (Peterborough) — Scored against his former club inside nine minutes and was a threat on the left flank before being substituted at half-time as part of the planned rotation.

Milton Oni (Colchester) — Came off the bench to score Colchester's second equaliser, racing clear and dinking a finish over Bass. The academy graduate told Col U TV: "Opportunities will come, and it's about making taking them. I'm grateful and obviously happy to get the goal today."

Five goals from a pre-season friendly that saw 1,062 in attendance (128 away fans). The 1-1 half-time scoreline masked Peterborough's territorial edge; Posh created the better chances in the first 45 minutes but lacked a finishing touch. Colchester's two goals came from fewer clear-cut chances — both were low-probability finishes (Payne from a tight angle, Oni's dinked run). The decisive sequence in the 86th-87th minute (Leonard header off the post, Khela winner from range) typified a game where the winning team needed late volume to break through.

Referee T. Robinson kept his cards in his pocket throughout; no bookings were shown.

Peterborough remain unbeaten in pre-season under Luke Williams, who used the fixture to distribute minutes: eight players completed 30 minutes, two played 45, and goalkeeper Alex Bass got the full 90. The rotation-heavy approach means the result is more about squad fitness than form, but the composure to win a tight late contest is a positive signal.

Colchester's next pre-season fixture is unconfirmed at the time of writing. Peterborough's pre-season campaign continues as they build towards the League One season opener.

A textbook pre-season friendly: five goals, heavy rotation, and a late winner that gave the travelling support something to cheer. Peterborough's squad depth showed in the second half, with Khela and Leonard making the difference from the bench. Colchester, fielding multiple trialists, will take heart from twice fighting back before a moment of quality settled it.