Colchester 4 QPR 2

U`s Cruise To First Home Win

Colchester United 4 (3) QPR 2 (1)

Colchester Goals:

Leigertwood, (OG) 19

Izzet, 30

Yeates, 38

Platt, 63

QPR Goals:

Ephraim, 29

Vine, 58

Layer Road

Att: 5,361 Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007

Colchester United`s patchy home form disappeared when a host of former Alumni rolled in to town; the football, and six goals that flowed between a sea of 22 players and two nets, produced a high-octane affair which was perhaps too low on technical defensive merit.

But, as even a non-anorak will attest, the old schoolboy formula of attack against defence is best if for maximum goals, which are almost guaranteed when Colchester are in action. By the same token, the division`s highest scorers, with 18 goals for, also have a very slack backline.

As the Slayer Road faithful experienced a first home win of the season, curtsey of goals from Kem Izzet, Clive Platt and another dead-ball doozey from Mark Yeates, the season`s abiding theme began to resurface once more; the Ex-Factor.

Both goals from the away side, managed currently by former U`s assistant manager Mick Harford, came from former Colchester men who enjoyed much respect among the fans. Hogan Ephraim, who did not celebrate when he right-rooted the ball past Dean Gerken after half an hour, and Rowan Vine, who did, came back with a vengeance.

Chris Barker, though, an outstanding loanee last season, had a quiet game at the back.
Ephraim, recognized as a hot prospect, brought his team on terms after QPR had trailed because of an unfortunate own goal by Mikele Leigertwood that the record books show to have ping-ponged in from six yards out.

It came after just one other chance of note, which was when Colchester`s Kevin Lisbie had fired the ball wide early on, following the earlier strike when Mark Yeates` cross, which foxed the R`s back five, was deflected by ‘keeper Lee Camp.
At one-all, there was barley time to breathe before Kem Izzet restored the Colchester lead with a rare finish. His header was assisted by Danny Granville, whose slow graduation to the staring XI is starting to pay dividends, less than sixty seconds after Ephraim`s leaver.

Before half time, Yeates finally took sole credit for a fantastic finish all of his own marking. The Irishman hit an astonishing free-kick from 20 yards out, further boosting his ever=growing reputation as a Championship winger to fear.

Clive Platt added to the woe for the visiting team just before the hour mark, after a curling Lisbie ball was met accurately for a neat goal. This meant that Rowan Vine`s finish five minutes easier, which tilted the game briefly, was an irrelevance.