United line-up:Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Preece (Beall 73), Craddock, Raynor, Wanless, Hyde, Taylor, Barnwell, Hayes.
Subs not used: Kyd, Benjamin.
Booked: Joseph 30 (foul), Wanless 33 (foul).

Terry Wilby's match report:
As usual against 10 men we didn't do as well as we might.

Paul Wanless gave us the lead after 5 minutes with a 25 yard shot that went straight into the bottom corner, Emberson didn't need to help it at all. We were playing well, keeping possession although not making many clear cut chances. After 30 minutes or so Micah was subjected to a terrible two footed tackle which resulted in the Colchester player being sent off. Micah actually got straight up and continued running with the ball, but the referee had seen enough, and Wanless was "having words" with the Colchester player! From the free kick a clear hand ball in the penalty area by the defender went unpunished, so more moaning to the referee from the players.

In the second half we created a few chances, Barnwell missed 3 (twice blasting over, once shooting straight at the keeper), Shaggy missed the sort of chance he would have put in against us, Wanless had a good penalty appeal turned down after the keeper got him as he latched on to a poor back pass.

Beall came on for Preece after 70 minutes.

My Man of the Match was Paul Wanless, for his enthusiasm mainly and running everywhere, but every now and then he'd show some good skill as well. Preece did well in the middle, Hayes had a fairly steady game also. Hyde showed some good touches, Joseph and Granville had reasonable forays forward.

Ratings:

Barrett   6
Joseph    7
Granville 6
Preece    7
Craddock  7
Raynor    6
Wanless   8
Hyde      7
Taylor    6
Barnwell  7

Subs:
Beall     6
Kyd   -
Benjamin -  

Ben Mynott's match report:
I thought we played quite well, and it was one of those games where had we had the breaks we could have won by six or seven. As it was we missed chance after chance and were very relieved to hear the final whistle.

Goal was a great effort from Wanless. Sending off was blatant: disgraceful two-footed studs up challenge on Hyde. Immediately after a Colchester defender handballed in the area but the ref gave nothing. Apparently everyone, bar the ref and his assistant at that end, thought it was a pen. McFarland was livid as were the players, the Colchester players apparently said that they couldn't believe it wasn't given, and even the other assistant ref saw it but refused to attract the ref's attention.

We then proceded to waste chance after chance, Barnwell being by far the biggest culprit.

Performances:

Barrett     6    Didn't have a great deal to do.

Joseph      7    Played quite well as sweeper.

Granville   6.5  Nothing amazing.

Preece      7    Saw a lot of possession and controlled the midfield.

Craddock    7    Quite a good game.

Raynor      6    Didn't do much

Wanless     8    MoM.  Worked hard, seemed to be everywhere and scored a great goal.

Hyde        7    Poor first half, very good 2nd.

Taylor      5    Disappointing - never got in the game.

Barnwell    6.5  Had a great game - except for his finishing which was dire.

Hayes       5    Not good.

Subs:

Beall       6.5  Not given long enough.  Should have started ahead of Hayes.

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