Colchester United began the 2026/27 season with a hard-fought 2-0 win away at League Two Colchester United in the Carabao Cup first round as Cyle Larin and Romeo Akachukwu scored off the bench. The 31-year-old Larin, who scored twice for his native Canada at the World Cup this summer, only returned to Saints training on Tuesday having been granted an extended break. He broke the deadlock, getting a touch on Ryan Manning's deflected cross. Youngster Akachukwu then sealed the victory for Saints, cutting inside and producing a composed finish against the club he spent the second half of last season on loan at. The Irishman has impressed for Tonda Eckert's side during pre-season and enjoyed his first senior goal by running to the far corner and celebrating back at the JobServe Community Stadium. Colchester recorded the first shot on target of the contest as Bradley Ihionvien forced Daniel Peretz into action twice. However, neither effort was difficult for the Saints goalkeeper on his second debut for the club. The permanent addition then proved his value with an outstanding triple save to keep his team on level terms. Saints started to pick up after the goalkeeper's heroics with Leo Scienza the main driving force. Lewis Dobbin shot wide before clearing the crossbar on the volley with a second effort. Tom Fellows also tested his luck, shooting from range as the winger's effort curled wide of the target. Ryan Manning floated in a free-kick towards Taylor Harwood-Bellis just before the break, but the defender couldn't get the desired contact on the ball. Saints continued to dominate possession in the second half but struggled to cause their League Two hosts any major issues. Flynn Downes fired a low strike narrowly wide while Ben Brereton Diaz couldn't get a headed effort on target. The Chile international, as well as Fellows, came off just after the hour mark for Larin and Cameron Bragg respectively. The former got on the end of a floated ball from Harwood-Bellis but couldn't quite steer his effort on target. Minutes later and the Canadian fired Saints into the lead, getting a touch on a cross from Manning into the penalty area and producing a clinical finish. Substitute Cameron Archer saw a strike go over the crossbar while Harry Anderson came close to equalising for the hosts, heading a cross over. Former Us loanee Akachukwu came on with four minutes remaining and six minutes later, he had his first senior goal. The Irishman was played into space before cutting onto his left foot and burying the ball past Thimothee Lo-Tutala to seal the victory. Archer had a chance to make it 3-0 as he saw an effort blocked. Saints will learn their second-round opponent on Monday night. Their Championship campaign kicks off next Sunday with a trip to Watford. Next fixture: vs Gillingham (away, 2027-02-27) (6th in the table).