U’s 3-2 Swindon – Report

Colchester made it back-to back wins with a 3-2 victory over Swindon, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday night.

The U`s made hard-work of the win, allowing the visitors to draw level twice before snatching all three points. A brace from forward Clive Platt and a goal from midfield man David Perkins gave the U`s the win.

Paul Lambert named an unchanged starting XI from Saturday`s away win at Oldham, with wingers Mark Yeates and Lewis Gobern missing out through injury once again.

With just 48 second on the clock the U`s were in front, Kem Izzet fed the ball out wide to Simon Hackney and his pin-point cross was met on the head by Platt. The big strikers looping header could only be helped on its way into the net by Town stopper Peter Brezovan.

The U`s could have, and perhaps should have, been two up inside five minutes as full-back Alan Maybury got past his man before sliding the ball across to Hackney, who could only steer his shot wide, albeit via a deflection.

A minute later skipper Dean Hammond blasted over with his weaker foot after having the ball laid back to him on the edge of the box.

The Robins had their first chance of the game, but Michael Timlin could only fire over when the ball arrived at his feet.

Hackney got clear down the left moments later and sent in a low cross, which was intercepted at the last minute with Steven Gillespie set to pounce.

As the chances came thick and fast the U`s should have been well out of sight, with Hammond lifting the ball over once again after breaking into the area.

Maybury tried his luck from range, however, Brezovan managed to push his effort away from the danger area.

On 28 minutes Town should have been level but ex-Southend man Billy Paynter saw his downward header go wide of Mark Cousins` upright.

As the away side started to see more of the ball they were rewarded for their efforts and drew the game level at 1-1. After a foul in the penalty area The Robins were awarded a spot kick and Simon Cox made no mistake, powering home to add to his season`s impressive tally.

With half-time just around the corner, Marc Tierney`s cross into the box caused havoc among the defenders and Platt found space to nod the ball home into an empty net, for his third goal in two games. The U`s now deservedly led the game 2-1.

Unlike the start to the first period, the second began much quieter, with neither team creating that many chances.

Lambert made his first change just past sixty-minutes, as Anthony Wordsworth replaced Gillespie who had put in a tiring shift and was feeling the effects.

Shortly later the U`s found themselves pegged back, once again, as Hal Robson-Kanu arrowed home a low effort past Cousins, from the angle of the area.

The U`s were back in front a while later, following good play down the left-hand side, which eventually saw Sean Morrison fail to clear the ball. This allowed Perkins to get in and fire the ball past Brezovan.

Following the goal, Scott Vernon was introduced in place of Izzet and nearly made an instant impact, only for his delicate curling effort to go wide.

Close to the end The Robins were denied a third equaliser, as the ball was forced home only for the linesman`s flag to be raised for offside.

The U`s managed to hold on for all three points and earn a vital win – a result which leaves them in 10th place, five points off the play-offs.