20 Dec #Colchester United on-form for Boxing day fixture following Notts County win
Colchester came from behind to beat Notts County 2-1 on a foggy afternoon at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The winner came as a result of an own goal from Richard Duffy with 15 minutes remaining.
Former Colchester loanee Elliott Hewitt had given the visitors the lead but it was cancelled out by Kurtis Guthrie shortly after and the second half own goal ensured all three points for the U’s and lifts them further up the League Two table..
It was a fairly slow start to the game as both sides shared spells on the ball without creating many openings.
Notts County took the lead after 17 minutes when Hewitt powered a header in the back of the net from close range.
Carl Dickinson delivered a corner from the right that was flicked on at the near post and Hewitt was left with a simple chance at the back post.
Colchester had a chance to equalise almost immediately but Denny Johnstone couldn’t make any contact on the stretch after a fantastic low cross from Brennan Dickenson.
However, Colchester found the equaliser shortly after as Guthrie produced an excellent diving header from close range. The goal came from the right hand side as Denny Johnstone turned his man and crossed for his strike partner to head into the back of the net from five yards out.
This was the end of the goalmouth action in the first half as both sides were limited to half chances.
The second half saw much of the same as the sides struggled to create any chances although Colchester were far superior on the ball and looked comfortable at the back.
Colchester’s first of the half came from Tom Eastman but his header lopped over the bar.
The U’s second chance came as a result of the front pairing combining again but this time Guthrie was unable to make any contact from Johnstone’s low cross.
Notts County’s only clear chance of the half came from left back Dickinson as he found himself with space in the box but his shot from the angle was well saved by Sam Walker.
Colchester were gifted the winner with 15 minutes remaining when Richard Duffy put the ball into his own net trying to clear Eastman’s cut back at the far post.
Colchester were able to see the game out from there as they held a good defensive line and made life very easy for Walker in the closing moments.
The U’s could have added a third in injury time as Guthrie had a low shot saved but the three points were already secured and 2-1 was how it finished.
The win means Colchester are now unbeaten in four games and move up to 13th in Sky Bet League Two.
The U’s play their next game on Boxing Day away to Luton Town.
