U’S A MATCH FOR TITLE FAVOURITES
COLCHESTER boss John McGreal was delighted to prove the bookies wrong by holding promotion favourites Notts County to a couponbusting goalless draw.
The U’s almost snatched a winner when Tom Eastman struck the upright with 15 minutes remaining as impressive goalkeeping from Colchester’s Dillon Barnes ensured County fired a blank.
And McGreal lauded the performance of his side to keep the Magpies, who were prolific last term, at bay in their opening encounter of the season.
He said: “I think before the game, we made it clear that Notts County have invested to put themselves where the bookies think they’re going to be and that’s in the top three.
“I said from day one that it was a fantastic challenge for us to come here and it proved so.
“I thought we were excellent, especially in the second half.
“We had the better chances – we hit the bar and Noubs (Frank Nouble) has had a header, Aaron Collins took a touch and then slipped.”
Opposing manager Kevin Nolan, who guided the Magpies to the play-offs last campaign in his first season in charge at Meadow Lane, was highly complimentary of Colchester – already tipping the visitors for promotion contention.
Nolan said: “It was two teams who like to score goals and want to score goals, but they ended up shutting each other out because we know how important it is.
“Colchester are a good side and last year we were quite lucky to get the win against them. They caused us problems and they’re going to be up there this year.
“They’re sort of going under the radar because we’ve done a bit of business but they’ve also some done some great business, I expect them to be up there at the end of the season.”
County almost took a fourth-minute lead when debutant Enzio Boldewijn’s low shot was palmed around the post for a corner by Dillon Barnes.
But Colchester almost went ahead midway through the first half through Nouble, whose header from Ryan Jackson’s cross flashed inches wide of the far post.
Magpies keeper Ross Fitzsimons received a let-off early in the second half when he handled outside of his area when challenged by Nouble. But Barnes then had to be at his absolute best to palm over an effort from Nathan Thomas, who controlled on the edge of the area before trying his luck with a superb chipped effort. Colchester came agonisingly close to claiming victory with 15 minutes remaining when Aaron Collins teed up Tom Eastman, who struck the bar with a delightful curled effort from the edge of the box as the spoils were shared.
NOTTS COUNTY: Fitzsimons 7, Tootle 7, Jones 6, Duffy 6, Brisley 6, Thomas 6 (Hawkridge 90), Hewitt 7, Vaughan 6, Boldewijn 6, Stead 5 (Dennis 6, 69), Hemmings 7. Subs not used: Pindroch, Hall, Alessandra, Nusin
COLCHESTER: Barnes 8, Kent 7, Prosser 6, Eastman 6, Jackson 6, Hall 6, Lapslie 7, Dickenson 7, Collins 6 (Mandron 6, 76), Szmodics 6, Nouble 7. Subs not used: Ross, Senior, Barnes, Comley, Wright, Norris