2 weeks Ago
ULTIMATELY, the crux of the final analysis of Colchester United’s stalemate with Crewe Alexandra perhaps depends on whether it is delivered from a glass half full or glass half empty perspective. The main take away from the 0-0 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium for the more positive-thinking U’s fans will probably be that it lifted them up into the League Two play-off places and at this late stage of the season, any point is precious, particularly with sides around them slipping up. They may also highlight the fact that it came against a side also harbouring aspirations of promotion and extended Colchester’s unbeaten run to four matches, along with making it three successive clean sheets for Danny Cowley’s side.
READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Crewe draw However, those slightly more conservative U’s supporters may well have come away from the ground feeling this was two points dropped, given the context of the game. Despite playing against ten men for more than half of the match following Owen Lunt’s red card in first-half stoppage-time for kicking out at Colchester skipper Tom Flanagan on the halfway line, the hosts were unable to capitalise despite utterly dominating the second half, following a rather flat first-half display. And when presented with a golden opportunity to score what would surely have been a late winner when Crewe substitute Jamie Knight-Lebel was adjudged to have handled in the area in the closing stages, Arthur Read’s penalty was saved by keeper Filip Marschall and the chance went begging.
(Image: STEVE BRADING) It was the first time that Colchester had failed to score in 13 matches; they had been on the longest scoring streak in the EFL. It all made for a somewhat frustrating afternoon for the U’s and their supporters, of whom more than 7,600 flocked to the Community Stadium for the club’s penultimate home game of the regular 2024-25 season. It would be extremely harsh to be critical of this Colchester side, though.
The fact that they are residing in the play-off play-off positions with three games remaining is a huge achievement in itself, particularly given the position they were in this time, last year. And it should not be forgotten that Colchester have been League Two’s best team, over the last 30 games. READ MORE: Crewe boss Lee Bell's assessment of Colchester draw As Cowley said in his programme notes, this run-in won’t be for the faint hearted.
“It certainly won’t be easy but then nothing really worth achieving ever is!” wrote the U’s boss. It won’t be any easier at Doncaster Rovers tomorrow, either. The U’s will face a hungry side who currently reside second in League Two, still with realistic aspirations of landing the title and are unbeaten in eight matches.
(Image: STEVE BRADING) Colchester will head to the Eco Power Stadium without their top scorer Lyle Taylor and most likely their player-of-the-year elect, Jack Payne while Teddy Bishop, who made such an impact off the bench against Crewe on his long-awaited injury comeback, is also a doubt. But this U’s squad is full of belief and determination and one thing is for sure, they never, ever give up. In fact, they positively thrive in adversity and will relish the prospect of facing one of the division’s leading teams - facing it with a glass half full perspective.
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