United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Craddock, Granville, Hayes, Hyde, Beall, Wanless, Raynor (Marc Joseph 81), Turner, Richards (Barnwell 78).
Sub not used: Thompson
Booked: Raynor (foul)

Terry Wilby's match report:
Three team changes from Saturday, Wanless for Preece, Turner for Kyd and Richards for Barnwell.

We lost to a goal 90 seconds from the end, a cross headed back by John Taylor for a shot from around the penalty spot, a defender leaving Barrett unsighted, I don't know the scorer.

We played much better than Saturday, Richards gives more strength up front by being able to hold the ball. Turner did reasonably well despite having a pair of hands from the defender grafted onto his shoulders every time he went for the ball. The defender, a big bald git, (Peter Cawley I think who was sent off at Layer Road last season), got booked early on and was lucky not to be booked for a second time later on. Wanless did quite well in the middle, as did Billy Beall. The defence looked quite safe.

Good chances were fairly few. In the first half a Richards shot hit the post from 18 yards, Turner had a header turned past the post. Barrett made a save from a snap shot. Raynor had a rush of blood to the head when he went in foot up on the keeper on the edge of the penalty area as the keeper waited for the ball to roll into the area. If the keeper had gone down Raynor would have been sent off. I don't know why he had to do it, he had no chance of getting the ball.

We didn't make many chances in the second half, Barnwell and Marc Joseph came on for Richards and Raynor for the last 15 minutes, but made little difference. Colchester's only other chance came from a long diagonal ball over Granville, the forward put the shot past the far post.

Adi Hayes played OK although his distribution is a little suspect, both Granville and Matt Joseph had the odd run forward for a change.

In general we were a little unlucky to lose, but played better. Granville just made MoM as he played the whole game, otherwise it would have been Richards.

Ratings:

Barrett     5
Matt Joseph 6
Granville   7
Wanless     6
Craddock    6
Raynor      5
Hayes       5
Hyde        5
Turner      6
Richards    7
Beall       6

Subs:
Barnwell    4
Marc Joseph 4

Terry Wilby

Rob "The Moose"'s report:
Blimey Terry if this was a better performance than the weekend I'm glad I missed that one! The only player who really stood out for me was richards, he was always making space for himself with some good off the ball running ... the only problem was everyone kept passing to where he was before he made his run.

The defence looked ok for the first half but towards the end of the second I was always worried to see big shaggy against just matty at the back! The great thing about games like this is you get time to look at the way we are playing in detail.....oh, and shout at bald people who should be sent-off!

Well that was another crap game. maybe 1300 there at most. Don't get me wrong, both sides were crap, it was just that in the last 8 mins colchester seemed to suddenly be breaking through more often. It seems the players, as well as us suppporters, were just waiting for "Golden Goal" to start ( even though people around me were convinced it was penalties after 90mins, no mate, its euro96 rules now I'm afraid). Then, of course, with almost the last kick of the game colchester score.

The only real chance for united was a thunder-bolt of a strike from richards in the first half which beat the keeper but hit the base of the post full on. The rest of the first half I had to be content with watching the kids at the front see how much they could spit on the pitch or call the colchester goalie a c***. For the second half I just shouted "yellow Army" a lot (yes that was me down the front).

RICHARDS HAS GOT TO PLAY ON THE WING.

GIVE FASH A GO UP FRONT OR GET SOMEONE NEW IN.

lets see some inprovement against wigan, and lets forget these two cup shit things and get behind the lads to try an' win the league! ( also give the moose a big cheer, or even come an' shake me by the hand, so then I will know who you are when I'm not in costume!)

rob the moose

  
barrett    6
m joseph   6.5
granville  6
wanless    5
craddock   6
raynor     5
hayes      5
hyde       5
turner     5
richards   7  *mom*
beall      5

Many thanks to Terry Wilby and Rob Woiwod for their reports.

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