Coventry City 2-2 Colchester United

Firstly I just want to welcome new boss Steven Pressley to the club! Well least we didn’t lose at home for once! Happy with the point considering we was 2-0 down, great comeback. Gutted we didn’t get the win we really needed though, play offs are slipping away. With most games going the wrong way for us we really needed to win.

Teams:

Coventry City:  Joe Murphy, Carl Dickinson, William Edjenguele, Aaron Martin, Cyrus Christie, Carl Baker (c), Steven Jennings, Franck Moussa (Callum Wilson 71), Gary McSheffrey (John Fleck 71), James Bailey, Cody McDonald

Subs: Chris Dunn (GK), Connor Thomas, David Bell, Jordan Willis, Jordan Stewart

Colchester United:  Sam Walker, Bradley Garmston (John White 89), Magnus Okuonghae, Clinton Morrison (Jack Compton 83), Andrew Bond, Brian Wilson, Gavin Massey, Michael Smith (Freddie Ladapo 77), George Porter, Josh Thompson, Billy Clifford

Subs:  Mark Cousins (GK), David Wright, Matt Heath, Marcus Bean

GOALS:  Massey 39th, Smith 72th, C Wilson 77th, Baker 90th

Attendance: 9,431 (173 away) Poor from the Colchester fans, but I guess they were all home putting fake tan on and watching TOWIE.

Steven Pressley made one enforced change to the team that beat Scunthorpe United on Saturday with Cody McDonald coming in for the injured Leon Clarke, massive blow, hope he’s back soon!  It was Coventry who created the first effort as Moussa sped towards Walker’s goal and fired a shot in from the left hand side, with the keeper spilling it and eventually it was cleared. Aaron Martin then had the next chance as Edjenguele headed the ball back in and his central defensive partner Martin fired just wide. We should really have been ahead as on a counter from a Colchester corner McDonald was played through over the top by McSheffrey, McDonald raced through and one on one should really have beat keeper Walker but his effort somehow hit the post. Colchester seemed like they were playing on the counter all night as they recorded their first chance, Baker was dispossessed on the halfway line sending Garmston to run clear and bring out a comfortable save from Murphy. McDonald again had another chance for the skyblues as he latched onto a long ball only to be forced wide and firing his shot into the side netting. On the break again Moussa on the left hand side brought out another save from Walker, spilling it again. It was Colchester’s turn to attack as Clifford curling shot forced Murphy into a two handed save parrying it out for a corner. From the corner Massey looping header from outside the box was tipped over by Murphy who couldn’t take any chances. It was the away side who made the break through and Massey himself scoring, on the break the Colchester player ran unmarked past 3 city players and firing past Murphy. Such a blow to the end of the half.

Onto the second half, James Bailey was the first man to test the two goals as his low drive was saved by Walker. City had two glorious chances to score as Baker cross was deflected to a unmarked McSheffrey who couldn’t even score from 6 yards out, Walker making the save. The next chance fell to Dickinson as he raced into the box and just outside the six yard box fired a shot across the face of goal, should have hit the target! It was the away side who got the second goal though, always happens! Michael Smith was played in and calmly fired through the legs of Murphy and into the net, deserved a goal in all respect, looks a decent player. That goal brought out substitutions with Wilson being the impact player, getting his first career goal for the home side, the striker produced some good skill through step overs before smashing home into the bottom right hand corner. City had deflected chances go sparing, but going into injury time they got the equaliser they more than deserved, Baker curling a free kick past Walker, fantastic goal! City couldn’t get the 3^rd though, good effort.

Hope to see Wilson start on Saturday, great performance by the youngster. I think it’s safe to say it 2 points dropped, should have won. Credit to Colchester who took their chances. I just hope somehow we can get in the play offs but I doubt it. We need Leon Clarke back as soon as possible. If we are ever going to win at home this season can it be Saturday, otherwise my birthday will be the worst ever. Roll on Hartlepool Saturday PUSB

Colchester massive!