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Reply | Saturday at Sixfields - will it be a load of cobblers, or eagles soaring?
at 09:31 25 Oct 2026
I suggested turned a corner in the preview. On reflection, it was more like a full u-turn into a dead end. I just don’t know what’s going on. Individually they all clearly have talent, but collectively it’s just not clicking. I lost count of the number of missed passes yesterday, many in situations where we’d have had the chance to get in around the back of a distinctly average Northampton. I missed his substitution, did Bradley storm off in a huff? Not a good look if so. As before, when the team aren’t performing on the pitch, the anti-Cowling mob float to the surface, and it wasn’t just inebriated teenagers this time.
I don’t want to think it, but how much of our current plight do we lay at the feet of Danny and Nicky? |
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Thread | Saturday at Sixfields - will it be a load of cobblers, or eagles soaring?
at 12:59 23 Oct 2026
After the dismal display at Newport, dare I say it, the U’s seem to have turned a corner, with very credible draws ground out against a very resolute drilled defensive display from Exeter, and arguably our best performance of the season so far at high-flying Chesterfield. I’m not making a connection here, but both games were without two of our key first teamers in Jack Payne and Harry Anderson. I have no knowledge of the extent of their injuries, but in the absence of anything obviously traumatic happening on the pitch, I hope they are just knocks and niggles – we’ll need them back before too long.
Their absence has given the opportunity for others to force themselves into Danny’s thinking, and by and large they have taken those opportunities. I’m particularly thinking here of Jay Williams and Paul Digby, but Rob Hunt operating further forward was also very effective on Tuesday night. I think we’re also seeing the experiment of playing Oscar in the middle is a thing of the past, showing what he can do from out wide providing a peach of an assist for Ben Perry (in his first league start since his injury) to power home our deserved equaliser at Chesterfield.
Tomorrow’s opponents Northampton Town, as with most of the sides relegated from League 1 last season, have struggled to adapt back to League 2 football. Northampton are in the relegation zone, Rotherham just one point and one place above them, and Port Vale in 20th position, below the U’s on goal difference. I don’t honestly expect any of them to be at risk of relegation at the end of the season, but for now points on the board is going to be the priority. During the week Tranmere took all three points at Sixfields, in a game dominated by Northampton in terms of possession and chances, to give the Superwhites their first away win of the season. Could lightning strike twice at Sixfields for the U’s tomorrow?
Form is temporary…
If a pattern is emerging, at least we can say the U’s are starting to prove we’re hard to beat, with five draws in the last six, with only the Newport horror show blemishing that record. Without banging on about it relentlessly, we’re just a decent striker with confidence away from turning those draws into wins. To be fair to Bradley, I thought he had a very good game on Tuesday, and really should have scored in the second half. Even Chiwome, who replaced him with minutes to go, grazed the bar with an effort that could have won the game for the U’s. Good to see Danny back in the thick of the action too…
Played for both
Given the relative proximity, it is of no surprise to see that the played for both list is particularly long where Northampton is concerned, no Jamie Cureton this time, but Guy ‘more clubs than Tiger’ Branston is there. Of our current squad, I think only Ben Perry and Bez Lubala have also played for Northampton, and provided he’s recovered from a swollen knee that forced him to miss out Chesterfield, Bez may well feature along with Ben at some point tomorrow.
On the books at Blackpool at the time, Bez was on loan at Northampton for the 2021/22 season, before joining the U’s for his first spell on another loan in 2022/23. Ben Perry’s journey is much more straightforward. On the books at Nottingham Forest, he spent most of the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Northampton. I’m not certain whether Northampton had any interest, but in the summer of 2025 the U’s paid an undisclosed fee for Ben, only to then see him miss virtually the entire 2025/26 season through injury.
However, the player I’m going to highlight, and for one very specific reason, is Scott McGleish, a legend at both Colchester and Northampton. For this I go back to Tuesday 20th January 2004 for our EFL Trophy Southern Region semi-final at Sixfields. We were there in numbers, and vocal with it, but the game wasn’t really going our way. This was mainly down to Richard Walker, who put the Cobblers into the lead on 14 minutes, and not helped by Martin Smith giving a youthful Greg Halford at right back an absolute torrid time. So much so that Parky had to sub him just after the half-hour mark, before the Geneva Convention was forced to intercede.
Walker was still a handful though, and giving Northampton a two goal cushion early in the second half, even the faithful were realistically thinking our cup run was probably coming to an end. Scott had other ideas and pulled one back on the hour, and with less than five minutes to go scored the equaliser to take the match into ‘Silver Goal’ extra-time. The U’s were rampant, and in the 96th minute an excellent Rowan Vine cross was met again by the head of Scott McGleish to give the U’s a 3-2 lead. We held on until the end of the first period, which by Silver Goals rules, gave us the victory, and the away end went berserk.
As mentioned, there are plenty of other notable names on the list, including Jason Dozzell, Steve McGavin, and Chuck Norris, but it would be wrong of me not to highlight one of my childhood heroes, John Froggatt.
Head to head
To date, we’ve played Northampton Town 69 times in the league (W26, D13, L30) and 12 times in various cup competitions (W4, D1, L7), including that night at Sixfields. However, as I’m making the early trip tomorrow morning, and my personal record is won three and drawn one, let’s hope I can maintain that record of never seeing us lose against the Cobblers.
Games to remember: Other than the EFL Trophy game, probably the most memorable was another in my archive, our 4-0 victory at Sixfields under John McGreal back in February 2019. We even had the luxury of Harry Pell missing a late penalty for a bonus fifth goal. Back in the day we’ve had multiple 4-1 and 5-1 victories, all at Layer Road.
Games to forget: In our inaugural season in Division Three (South) in 1951 Jimmy Allen’s U’s were comprehensively battered 2-5 at Layer Road. There were a number of heavy defeats at the old County Ground over the years, including a 6-1, 5-0, 4-0 and 4-1, but the only time we’ve really been put to the sword at Sixfields was under Steve Whitton in September 2002, when we were soundly beaten 4-1.
Line-up
Whether or not Jack or Harry are available, I have a feeling Danny will keep faith with the starting XI from Chesterfield. He’ll want to keep Perry wrapped in cotton wool for as long as possible, but I would expect to see him come on in the second half. Bradley is just a goal or two away from being the striker we know he can be, but again I’d expect to see Chiwome feature as well at some point, and perhaps a bit longer than his brief cameo at the end on Tuesday night.
Lo-TutalaVincent-YoungTuckerTerryIandoloWilliams (Jay)HuntSesayDigbyWilliams (Jaden)Ihionvien Substitutes: Chiwome Connolly Harvey Kuffour Perry Raggett Thorn
Another tough game approaches, and it won’t be helped by the weather either. Northampton’s stop-start season so far will eventually settle into some sort of consistency, and it’s probably a tough ask to expect them to lose consecutive home games on the bounce. However, surely we’ve got to start hitting the back of the net from more of the chances we’re creating before too long? My head says another draw will be a good result, but my heart says a 3-1 win for the U’s, with a brace from Bradley.
Weather watch
This will be the great equaliser tomorrow, with Storm Boelo scheduled to arrive in force early afternoon, bringing heavy rain and winds from the south-south-west gusting at over 40+ mph and a chilly 9 degrees in the wind. It is of course touch and go whether the game survives the weather, but if it does, it will likely be by virtue of the early 1230 kick-off.
Up the U’s! |
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Reply | Unlucky for some ( one ).
at 06:27 22 Oct 2026
I’m in two minds on this, but I think there might be a chance we’re one of the televised games. You’d think Plymouth Argyle v Alvechurch would be one (and also solve the problem of Plymouth Parkway also at home), and Cray Wanderers at home to League 1 leaders Stockport another. Given our recent FA Cup record, the schedulers might sense an upset? |
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Reply | Unlucky for some ( one ).
at 22:05 20 Oct 2026
7th tier Worcester City it is then. Got banana skin written all over it if Danny doesn't take it seriously enough. |
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Reply | Colchester United looking for an inspired victory against The Spireites
at 21:59 20 Oct 2026
I actually enjoyed that. Proper backs to the wall last-ditch defending in the first half, and we could have been out of sight, but second half we were so much better. Deserved the equaliser, and we could have won it late on, but still an excellent point overall. Delighted for Perry too, it gives hope for the future. |
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Reply | Unlucky for some ( one ).
at 12:03 20 Oct 2026
A replay would be a very unlikely event indeed, given it'll be extra time and straight to penalties if needed. |
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Reply | Danny to ensure the Grecians Urn zip, nadda, zilch…
at 16:58 17 Oct 2026
Tough game, probably deserved the win, but you can see why Exeter have only conceded six goals so far. However, infinitely better than last Saturday.
Still, look on the bright side, only one team in Essex is still in the FA Cup! Bravo Berkhamstead! |
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Reply | Danny to ensure the Grecians Urn zip, nadda, zilch…
at 14:03 17 Oct 2026
Jack Payne and Harry Anderson both injured, Thorn and Terry starting - not sure what that means in terms of formation? Presumably Terry, Digby, Tucker and Iandolo across the back, Hunt and Williams in the middle, Lubala, Thorn and Sesay ahead and Ihionvien up front? |
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Thread | Danny to ensure the Grecians Urn zip, nadda, zilch…
at 18:16 16 Oct 2026
Well that’s what he hopes anyway, but the way things are going at the moment, that might be less than expectation. I wish there was some sort of positive spin I could put on the trip to Newport last weekend, but it was just poor. The football lacked any quality (on both sides), the ref blew for absolutely everything (apart from Hunt’s desperate attempt to haul down Matty Jacobs to prevent their goal), and the popped up U’s kids were just embarrassing. My high point – had a lovely afternoon with Alfie, the Newport stewards (and the police) were as first rate as ever, in spite of some severe provocation at times, and the chips were excellent.
Whilst we were in Newport purgatory, tomorrow’s opponents Exeter City were doing what we failed to do, holding on to a lead at Shrewsbury, albeit their goal came just four minutes from the end of normal time. That win moved them up to mid-table, but given how early in the season we are, still only two points ahead of the U’s.
Form is temporary…
This time last season, after nine games we were 20th with eight points, so from a glass half-full perspective you could say 19th and ten points is ahead of last season’s curve? It just doesn’t really feel like it right now, but 3pts on Saturday will no doubt brighten everyone’s outlook. Moses Sesay ‘tops’ the goal scoring on three goals, Harry with two and a bunch of others on one goal. Therein is the problem, Moses and Harry are midfielders, it’s the men up front who are struggling to make an impression.
Played for both
Considering we’re on virtually the opposite sides of the country, the number of players who made the journey (directly or indirectly) is actually quite impressive. As I mentioned in my previous preview, that inevitably includes Jamie Cureton, but it also includes Matt Jay. I remember the buzz amongst supporters when Matt Bloomfield signed him in January 2023. Matt Jay had always been a thorn in our side when he played against us, and he seemed a real coup.
The signs were there though, on Grecian forums – despite his folk hero status, and many sorry to see him go, no one was really surprised given his first team opportunities at League 1 Exeter were few and far between. A drop down to League 2 could have been just what his career needed. Sadly though, it didn’t really work out here either, and after 39 appearances spanning three seasons (and just one goal scored), we agreed to part company, and Matt Jay returned to the West Country at Torquay United, where he combines playing for the first team and recently appointed as Head of Youth.
There are loads of others, so recollections/ recommendations gladly received.
Head to head
To date, we’ve played Exeter City 80 times in the League (W26, D22, L32), five times in various cup competitions (W2, D1, L2), and twice in the play-offs (W1, L1) – obviously the latter were the home and away legs of the 2020 Covid play-offs. We hold the unenviable record of being the first team to go out of the FA Cup without conceding a goal, after 0-0 draws home and away in the 1991 FA Cup 1st Round and then losing the newly introduced penalty shoot-out 2-4.
Games to remember: A 5-1 victory at St James Park back in 1985 under Cyril Lea, a 4-0 victory under Jock Wallace at Layer Road as we flirted with relegation to the conference in 1989, and of course John Ward’s 5-1 demolition of a very poor Grecian outfit in 2011. Games best forgotten: the aforementioned Cyril Lea’s in 1984 losing 3-4 at Layer Road, a 0-5 battering at St James Park for Jimmy Allen back in 1951, and a few other matches down there where we’ve conceded four, but nothing compares to the 1-6 defeat for Steve Ball’s U’s back in 2020 during lockdown (Matt Jay scored a brace).
Line-up
So in addition to Newport County, we now also know that Kouassi is out for quite a while. I must admit, starting with no recognised strikers on the pitch at Newport was somewhat baffling, and given the performance, hopefully an experiment we won’t see again. With no criticism of Oscar, we did marginally improve once Bradley replaced him, so fingers-crossed we stick with that tomorrow. We can’t not start Moses, you just never know whether you’re going to get dribbling wizardry or wizardly dribbles served up – and often both in the same game.
Lo-TutalaIandoloDigbyTuckerHuntPayneWilliams (Jay)LubalaAndersonSesayIhionvien Substitutes: Smith Chiwome Harvey Kuffour Thorn Roberts Terry
Another tough game looms, and with following fixtures away at Chesterfield and Northampton, and then home to Walsall, now is definitely the time to get three points on the board. By the end of the month, we could be firmly in the play-off promotion hunt…or potentially in a lot of trouble – fingers crossed. Tomorrow will be tight, but I have to believe we can get the result – 2-1 to the U’s with Bradley to get us off the mark.
Weather watch
There’ll probably be some rain about before kick-off, but that should have dried up by 3pm. It’ll be patchy cloud for the game, about 13-14 degrees and with a moderate breeze from the north, hopefully helping our attack towards the south stand.
Up the U’s! [Post edited 17 Oct 7:32]
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Reply | Former U's
at 10:25 13 Oct 2026
Terrible news, that's no age at all.
Condolences to his family and friends - rest in peace Doug. |
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Reply | Exiles to lose their undefeated home record, as the U's finally win away
at 09:38 11 Oct 2026
Unfortunately, it only takes a few disappointing results for the RC shit to resurface. I got the sense that a few of the older vocal supporters weren’t there yesterday as a moderating influence. To be honest though, there was very little for a decent turnout to get excited about. I thought Digby had a decent game, but few others did. Jack Payne was surprisingly poor, struggled to find a pass all game.
Chips were good though. |
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