Williams Hails Vernon

Colchester United manager Geraint Williams has hailed U’s striker Scott Vernon as ‘probably the best finisher we have at the club’ after his brace earned victory over Ipswich.

Vernon struck in either half, as the U’s beat local rivals Town 2-0 at Layer Road.

‘It was a pleasing performance but it was the result that was important today. In any derby to keep a clean sheet it great,’ he said post-match.

‘Scott Vernon is probably the best finisher we have at the club and tactically he’s excellent – I’m sure he’ll score a lot of goals for us.

Williams explained: ‘It’s still going to be very difficult for us but it’s important we keep the nucleus of the squad together.

‘We’ll be looking to keep the players we want to keep and build for the future.’

Town boss Jim Magilton said: ‘We need to win all five of our games now – we have two massive home games coming up and we have to win them both.

‘Today was a poor result from our point of view. I don’t think we took Colchester lightly.

‘The lad (Vernon) has taken his goals very well – but they were two shocking goals for us to concede,’ he continued.

‘We had some good chances but didn’t take them and that came back to haunt us.’