U’S IN THE ‘GROOVE’ TO SEE OFF CUMBRIANS
COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal was delighted with his team’s display following their thumping win over Carlisle.
The promotion-chasing U’s never looked like giving up their advantage when Nathanial Knight-Percival put into his own net. Callum Harriott and Cohen Bramall also netted one each to confirm the three-point haul.
McGreal said: “I’m really pleased. It was brilliant and we dominated the ball and got into positions where we looked threatening too.
“It took a little bit of time for our top six players to play together, because they haven’t really done it that much. But once they found their groove it was great, helped by Ben (Stevenson), who was outstanding.
“He made everything tick with Harry Pell alongside him and Luke Gambin – you know what you’re going to get from him.
“The guys put in a great performance, especially after the emotions and euphoria of what’s gone on (with the Manchester United game) we’ve tried to put that game in isolation.”
Colchester goalkeeper Ethan Ross made a good save early on to deny Hallam Hope, who also saw a deflected shot sail just wide soon after.
But the U’s looked more dangerous and Gambin was just unable to squeeze a chance home from close.
Colchester went ahead in the 26th minute when Bramall delivered a low cross that went in off Carlisle defender Knight-Percival.
Blues goalkeeper Adam Collin saved well from Harriott and Pell and, although Ross saved Ryan Loft’s shot with his legs, Colchester doubled their lead in the 42nd minute. Harriott was quickest to react after Collin had beaten Kwame Poku’s fierce strike into his path. And it was 3-0 in the 52nd minute when Bramall struck a superb 25-yard free-kick past the Carlisle wall and goalkeeper Collin.
Collin pushed away Theo Robinson’s close-range effort soon after, as Colchester extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches.
The visitors were largely second best, leaving manager Chris Beech understandably disappointed.
Beech said: “We can’t accept certain results. Defeats will happen but, if it’s a lack of honesty and respect to each other in terms of what we’re trying to achieve, we can’t accept that.
“I told them at half-time that even though it was 2-0, it’s not really been Colchester’s game in the first half.
“The next goal was important and they put in a world-class free-kick, which really took the game away from us. What I want the players to do at that point is to show character to make sure we can stay in the game.
“They had a go but, after the third goal, it looked a bit comfortable, which I can’t accept. I’ve told the players, we’ve got to be more honest with ourselves and respect each other.”