SICKENING BLOW FOR HATTERS
LUTON Town manager Nathan Jones wants his side to bounce back against Mansfield Town tomorrow – but admits his players were left shocked by Luke Berry’s horror injury in their defeat at Colchester United.
Berry suffered a serious ankle injury in the opening minutes of the Hatters’ loss, which saw them drop to second place in League Two.
The midfielder was treated for around ten minutes after suffering the injury in the opening two minutes of the game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, before being taken to nearby Ipswich Hospital.
“The players were shocked afterwards and it took them time to recover,” said Jones.
“I had to try and lift them – they were down and one of our players was sick.
“It didn’t bode well but the best thing we could have done for Luke is win the game and that’s what we didn’t do; we didn’t recover and we conceded two goals from set plays and that was basic.
“We now play Mansfield Town on Monday and both teams will be under pressure looking to bounce back after defeats.”
Colchester boss John McGreal was delighted with his side’s victory, given to them courtesy of first-half goals from defenders Tom Eastman and Luke Prosser.
“It was a fantastic win for us against the team who were top of the league and some of our football was fantastic and was pleasing to watch,” he said.
“We knew what was going to come in the second half and they did it when they were 2-0 down and got it back to 2-2 at Coventry, a couple of weeks ago.
“But I thought that we were quite resolute and showed good shape – I can’t really think of Sam Walker having a shot or anything to save.
“We play Forest Green next and we know it's going to be a really, really tough game down there - we’ll be looking to try and win the points.”
Eastman powerfully headed home Ben Stevenson’s cross to give Colchester the lead two minutes after the game had restarted, following Berry’s injury.
And the U’s doubled their lead 11 minutes later when captain Prosser nodded in at the far post, after Stevenson had floated the ball in. Dan Potts’ effort flashed just past the far post and Danny Hylton had an effort ruled out for offside before half time and Luton pressed on in the second half. However, Luton ‘keeper James Shea made a good save to deny Sammie Szmodics at his near post, before Luton reduced the deficit with two minutes remaining. Hylton scored from the spot after Ryan Jackson had fouled substitute Ryan Gambin in the area but the Hatters were beaten.
COLCHESTER: (4-4-1-1): Walker 8, Jackson 8, Eastman 9, Prosser 9, Vincent-Young 8, Wright 8, Lapslie 5 (Comley 4 5), Stevenson 8 (Murray 82 5), Dickenson 7 (Senior 46 5), Szmodics 7, Mandron 7 Subs not used: Kent, Ogedi-Uzokwe, Mandeville, Barnes LUTON: (4-4-2): Shea 6, Justin 6, Cuthbert 6, Sheehan 5, Potts 6, Berry 5 (Gambin 14 5), Rea 5 (Cornick 70 5), Lee O 6, Shinnie 6 (Lee E 66 6), Collins 5, Hylton 7 Subs not used: Stacey, Jervis, Downes, Stech