Get the Lowdown on Colchester

Rovers are back on the road and head to Essex to take on Colchester United in front of the Sky TV cameras tonight.

This game sees FGR and Colchester team up with The British Red Cross for a ‘Game for Ukraine’ to raise money for the refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries

Here’s the lowdown on our next opponents, the U’s.

MEET THE MANAGER: WAYNE BROWN (INTERIM)

Interim Colchester boss Wayne Brown took over from Hayden Mullins just over a week after we met the U’s back in January.

During a 14 year playing career the centre back most notably turned out for the likes of Leicester City, Watford and Ipswich Town where he came through the academy.

After a loan spell with U’s in 2004, Brown made a permanent move to Essex where he went on to play over 150 games for the club.

After retiring in 2011, Brown’s coaching CV has mainly seen him coach in the Colchester academy with the 18’s and 23’s.

However, Brown has also coached Isthmian League side Maldon & Tiptree since 2018 and has been the caretaker manager of the U’s on a couple of occasions.

Despite a tough period during his time in the dugout, two good runs of results have helped Brown and his side put a bit of distance between them and the relegation zone.

KEY PLAYER: FREDDIE SEARS

Freddie Sears returned to Colchester back in the summer signing a two year contract after leaving for Ipswich Town back in 2015.

Sears came through the West Ham academy setup and won his first team debut aged 18 coming on to score the winner against Blackburn Rovers In the Premier League.

After various loan spells including one to Colchester, Sears joined the U’s following his release from West Ham in 2012.

A key move to Ipswich Town followed where he played an impressive 218 games over a six year period going through a Championship play-off campaign as well as a relegation to League One.

The now 32 year old has been the U’s standout player this season scoring 10 and assisting four playing in all bar one of Colchester’s League Two games.

FORM – LWWDD

26/02/22 – Colchester United 1-1 Oldham Athletic

01/03/22 – Colchester United 2-2 Leyton Orient

05/03/22 – Colchester United 1-0 Port Vale

12/03/22 – Scunthorpe United 1-3 Colchester United

15/03/22 – Bristol Rovers 1-0 Colchester United

LAST TIME OUT

Colchester’s run of four games without defeat was ended at the hands of promotion chasing Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

The first half saw the hosts have the better of things with their best chances coming via Elliot Anderson and an Antony Evans free kick which was saved by Shamal George.

Just five minutes after the break and the hosts had the only goal of the game as the Newcastle United loanee Anderson fired his effort into the top corner.

Anderson very nearly made it two 20 minutes from time after a brilliant mazy run but he could only bundle the ball into the side netting.

The defeat for Wayne Brown’s side means they now sit 19th but have an eight point gap between them and the relegation zone after a good start to the month.

LAST TIME WE MET

Rovers made it 12 League Two games without defeat as they beat Colchester United 2-0 at The Fully Charged New Lawn back In January.

It was a quiet first half but the away side had the first real chance as Luke McGee got down well to save Alan Judge’s early effort.

It took just 15 minutes for the league leaders to get in front in Nailsworth courtesy of captain Jamille Matt who coolly backheeled home from Udoka Godwin-Malife’s cross.

Into the second half and a combination of McGee and Jordan Moore-Taylor did brilliantly to deny Luke Hannant before substitute Josh March capitalised on a mistake to put the game to bed in added time.

The win cemented Rovers’ lead at the top of the table whilst building pressure mounted on former U’s boss Hayden Mullins.