Adrian Forbes’ young team have lost their opening fixtures, to Chelsea and Leeds, but make the journey to Essex hopeful of building on a morale-boosting win over Kempston Rovers in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup last week.

“The boys have been in good spirits over the past few days after that result,” said Forbes. “We know it’s going to be a completely different challenge against Colchester but the squad is ready and we’re looking forward to it.

“It has been a tough start after two defeats, but in big patches in those games we competed well and it’s up to us to put in a good level of performance in and out of possession against Colchester. We’re able to do that then we’re able to get a positive result.”

Both the Town and Colchester are yet to register a point in the competition after suffering defeats to Leeds and Chelsea.

But Forbes knows a good result against the U’s on Wednesday can give the Hatters momentum going into the final three group matches, all of which will be at home.

“We know that if we’re able to get a positive result it can put us in a good position going into the Chelsea game next month with losing to lose,” said Forbes.

“The teams we’ve faced already haven’t seen the best of us yet and I know we’ve got so much more to give from what we’ve seen so far.

“The boys will be full of confidence. They’ve prepared well and now it’s down to the players and staff to go and get a result.”

The match will be taking place at Malden and Tiptree’s Park Drive ground and will kick off at 7pm.

Admission on the night is £5 adults and £3 seniors and under-18s.