FRANKS A LOT, SAYS U’S CHIEF
COLCHESTER UNITED boss John McGreal saluted his side’s allround display after they saw off leaders Lincoln City to boost their promotion hopes.
Frankie Kent’s well-taken strike in the 27th minute settled a hard-fought contest at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The defender followed up to score at the near post after his first headed effort from Courtney Senior’s corner had been blocked by keeper Josh Vickers following Frank Nouble’s flick.
McGreal said: “It was a fantastic win for us.
“It was a great run by Frank Nouble for the goal – he’s taken their man away and Frankie Kent has lifted it past the keeper and into the roof of the net.
“It was a great finish and it meant a great start for us, as I felt that we had to weather the storm because they started well.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough game with the big hitters coming into town.
“I felt we were able to create some good opportunities. We had to defend at times because they play and get balls in and around our back four,” McGreal added.
“It was a man’s game between two physical teams and when we got the ball and passed it through them, we looked effective.”
Lincoln struggled to break down a resolute U’s defence. But they almost claimed a point deep into stoppage-time when Michael O’Connor’s free-kick was saved well by keeper Rene Gilmartin.
However, Colchester had chances to wrap up victory before that, with Vickers denying both Sammie Szmodics and Ryan Jackson.
Imps boss Danny Cowley, who watched his side fall to only their third defeat of the season, said: “We were chasing the game and Colchester are very good on the counter.
“We conceded from a setpiece which was really poor defending and we have to go and look at that and correct it.
“Colchester have had a good start to the season – they’re in a good place and they’ll no doubt gain a lot of confidence from their win.
“For us, we have to go away and look at the week as a whole and look at what we have to do better and try to learn and improve and come back stronger.
“I kept saying it during the run that we were on – we know what football is and we’re not a Luton that has 24 to 28 senior players, that when you have injuries you can bring in other senior players who are equally as good.” Cowley added: “We’ve got a good squad but it’s not a big squad and at times, you will pick up injuries.”