After a near two month lay-off due to the Christmas break and subsequent inclement weather, Gillingham's youngsters returned to action with a confidence boosting win away at Colchester United.

Not surprisingly, given the recent weather, the pitch was very heavy and quickly cut-up, making playing conditions awkward for both teams. The U's were quicker to adapt, testing their visitors with a second minute shot which Conor Quinn did well to save, little did they know it would prove to be their last chance of the match.

Despite the trying circumstances, Mark Patterson's youngsters persisted with their passing style and were finally rewarded in the 70^th minute when Under-16 striker George Humber netted his first youth team goal.

Good build-up down the right hand side created Humber's strike with the young forward collecting the ball with his back to goal before placing his left-footed shot-on-the-turn into the bottom left corner from 15-yards out.

Late in the match, Humber and Dean Rance both had chances to add to the visitors tally but failed to find the net in one-on-one's with the keeper. While full-back Jack Evans low shot was also denied by the Colchester Custodian.

A delighted Mark Patterson summed up his sides display, saying "We were very professional, used the ball well and defended well as a team. Colchester played with a quite direct style but, on the day, our two centre-halves Connor Essam and Callum Davies were excellent and dealt with everything that was thrown at them.

Some of the younger lads were looking a bit tired and jaded before Christmas so I think the extended break has helped them. We haven't tried to flog them into the ground during the break and it looks like it's paid dividends.

Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Ollie Bartrum, Connor Essam, Callum Davies, Jack Evans, Nathan Nyafli (Alex Brown 75), Dean Rance, Tom Brunt, Ryan Benniman (Sam Fisher 55), George Humber, Charlie Stimson.