MCGREAL SALUTES NOUBLE EFFORT...
COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal was pleased with his side’s second half response after they beat Crawley Town to move up to sixth in the table.
The U’s led through Sammie Szmodics, but were pegged back before the break when Filipe Morais netted from the spot on 40 minutes after Luke Prosser had tripped Luke Gambin in the area.
McGreal said: “We were in complete control in the first half and scored a good first goal – (Luke) Norris has picked (Sammie) Szmodics out well.
“I thought we could have had a couple more and we had good opportunities.
“We feel hard done by at the minute by refereeing decisions. When we came in at half-time, the boys were adamant that it wasn’t a penalty.
“We’ve had a look at the tape and the boy does dive a bit, but we came in at halftime and despite all of the hard work, we’re back level. The boys were disappointed with the penalty decision that went against us and one or two choice words were said at half-time.
“But it was up to us and we scored a terrific second goal. Although Crawley caused us one or two problems, we dug in and Luke finished brilliantly for us at the end.”
Colchester took a 27thminute lead through Szmodics, who converted at the far post after Norris had helped on Courtney Senior’s cross.
Crawley striker Ollie Palmer’s header was saved at point-blank range by home goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin before, at the other end, Glenn Morris denied both Norris and Tom Eastman. Then Crawley drew level from the spot.
Colchester restored their lead in the 57th minute thanks to Frank Nouble’s excellent finish, after Norris had done superbly to set him up.
Crawley then pushed forward as Joe Maguire headed just wide and Prosser denied Palmer on the line.
Norris sealed Colchester’s victory in the 90th minute with a fine finish, from Sz- modics’ fine lay-off. Crawley, who had defender Bondz N’Gala sent off deep into stoppage-time for kicking out at Norris, fell to a third straight away defeat. Boss Gabriele Cioffi said: “It was a disappointing afternoon for us, but we didn’t deserve to lose so heavily. We had a chance to get back into the game in the second half and get one point. “We had chances to score and get the equaliser, but it did not come and that’s football. “It’s more than frustrating that we are strong at home, but are not picking up as many points when we are away. “We have only one medicine and that is work.”