Layer Road Memories (1)

With Colchester United set to depart Layer Road in the summer and move to their new 10-000 all-seater Community Stadium at Cuckoo Farm, Vital Colchester has decided to take a look back at some of the more memorable moments the stadium has had to offer.

Each week, Vital Colchester will post a memory or match on site; this week, young fan and Vital member Stevie_G_Col U kindly recalls for us a recent giant-killing under the lights at the Drome?

U`s 2 – 1 West Brom

Carling Cup R2, 21st September 2004

Att. 4,591

“This game was a classic cup clash. The visitors were WBA, a Premier League club, while the home side happened to be a small League One club in a tumbled-down stadium (Layer Road!).

We all know what happened next?. the ‘small League One` club won!

From that U`s side which recorded this creditable victory, only three of the starting XI that day are on the Layer Road roster at present. Aiden Davison (goalie), Kevin Watson in midfield and defender Pat Baldwin.

The rest of the team that night contained the likes of, Greg Halford, Craig Fagan and Neil Danns, who have all since moved onto Premier League sides.

Colchester led when neat footwork from then golden striker Craig Fagan lead to him finding space on the edge of the penalty area. He fired into the top corner after collecting Richard Garcia`s neat pass.

Fagan finished the U`s top scorer that season firing 14 goals before joining Hull City in January; this strike was named the goal of the season for its sheer quality.

In the second-half the Premier League outfit were level when Geoff Horsfield latched onto a long ball forward and fired low past U`s keeper Aiden Davison.

The game eventually went into extra time. Then two minutes before a penalty shootout loomed, Joey Keith`s corner caused chaos in the Baggies` penalty area and U`s substitute Ben May poked home from close-range to send Layer Road crazy.

This night will be remembered for a long time by Colchester United fans and is just one of many special memories Layer Road has offered since it became the club`s home in 1937.”

Are you a U`s fan? Do you have a memory to contribute? Are you an away fan with anything to say on Layer Road, happy or sad?

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