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Durham Exile Column - Pedigree Neuter Sterile Bulls
Durham Exile Column - Pedigree Neuter Sterile Bulls
Tuesday, 1st Dec 2009 19:19

So the U’s left it late on Saturday at a windswept and wet Edgar Street but overall and contrary to other reports Colchester deserved the win.

Last Tuesday evening Hereford defeated local rivals Shrewsbury 2-1 in near monsoon conditions at Edgar Street so there was no surprise when the pitch looked a little the worse for wear in places. Weather conditions were cold but dry at kick off but early in the second half the rain arrived with a vengeance.

It was perhaps surprising therefore that the sprinklers were deployed just before kickoff. Whether this was going to encourage a slick passing game was debatable however.

Aidy Boothroyd made some interesting changes – Marc Tierney of course returned to the team and Kem Izzet started in midfield but it was the inclusion of Simon Hackney and a rare start for Steven Gillespie that caught the eye.

So the U’s lined up with Williams, a back four of White, Okuonghae, Reid and Tierney with a midfield of Lisbie, O’Toole, Izzet and Hackney and Odejayi and Gillespie the strikers.

Although the crowd of 2,225 was disappointing for a Second Round FA Cup tie the Blackfriars Terrace were in good voice for the home side whilst the faithful who numbered 271 were very quiet for much of the first half and plenty of the second, content to chant very occasionally. Despite this it was the U’s who carved out some good early chances. Odejayi had a shot smothered by the keeper and had a header cleared off the line by the impressive Valentine whilst a lively spell by Stevie G saw him win the ball well on the dead ball line and whip in a fierce low drive which the keeper did well to deflect away.

For the Bulls McCallum worked hard all afternoon but Leon Constantine was very quiet and was replaced in the second half by the splendidly named Mathieu Manset. Half time was reached with the scores level but it did give the chance to enjoy a pie and a cup of tea. I tried a steak and kidney pie; good filling but stodgy pastry. The siting of the refreshment kiosk close to the gents and ladies toilets is hardly conducive to an Egon Ronay dining experience but at least the cold kept the smell to a minimum.

The start of the second half brought an immediate change; the in-form Clive Platt for the ineffective Hackney. Now for the first time that I can remember this season the U’s had four strikers on the pitch even though Gillespie and Lisbie played midfield roles.

Those of us who can remember the old 4-2-4 formation perhaps hoped that the U’s would start to sweep forward in droves. Alas it wasn’t to be and the team looked slightly disjointed. In fact Hereford had their best spell of the game and for 15 minutes the U’s were pressed back but apart from a cross which was held up in the breeze and clipped the top of the cross bar Hereford failed to create clear cut chances.

The referee allowed Jordan Mutch a great deal of latitude with some robust challenges and spoke to him on five separate occasions without producing a card. The unfortunate Izzet committed one foul and was shown yellow with the fervent Blackfriars terrace baying for a trip to the abattoir for Kem. In truth as the weather deteriorated so did the chances and it became a stalemate.

Odejayi departed after 69 minutes to be replaced by Phil Ifil who went to the right side of midfield whilst Platt and Lisbie renewed their striking partnership. Gillespie remained on the left side of midfield and his influence was reduced. Now we are missing Ashley Vincent to inject some pace on the right wing but he will be out for some time yet. Ifil is not a right winger and although he saw plenty of the ball his crossing was not good and neither were his corners.

With 15 minutes to go Woody was introduced for the tiring Gillespie and I am sure that Aidy had thoughts for the Brentford game. Wordsworth was a revelation and the U’s started to show more invention and definitely finished far stronger and with more purpose. Now I haven’t mentioned the star player yet but John Joe O’Toole is a rare talent. He is strong on the ball, when clattered simply gets back up and carries on and has a range of passing whether short or medium distance which always looks to get the U’s going positively. He grew in strength during this last 15 minutes and he was making everything happen for the U’s.

The Hereford players were perhaps hoping for a replay after their sterling efforts but Colchester had other ideas. The fourth official indicated 3 minutes of added time (now remember that this is the minimum amount and the referee has discretion to add extra time).

Colchester advanced one more time, the ball was played out on the left to Woody and with the defence stretched he played the ball back diagonally into the path of the onrushing O’Toole who drilled it into the bottom left hand side of the goal. Cue wild celebrations and the faithful made more noise than at any time during the game. O’Toole was definitely the U’s player of the match and deservedly so, the referee booked him of the celebrations and almost immediately after the restart blew the final whistle.

Now on the local radio football show after the game BBC Hereford and Worcester (who bizarrely concentrated on Kidderminster Harriers home league defeat) claimed that the goal was scored after 93 minutes and 25 seconds. Now I don’t think we have got a Sir Alex moment but the suggestion was made that the referee added on too much time. Valentine did have the good grace to wish the U’s well in the next round.

The irony here is that the Bulls keeper wasted so much time during the second half that perhaps had he been more positive Hereford might have been able to make more use of the ball.

I stated earlier that Colchester deserved the win and they did. Good teams play to the allotted time, they grow stronger as the game progresses and they concentrate to the last second. Colchester did this and more, they believed that victory was possible and during the last 15 minutes bossed the game to the extent that a goal was always likely and so it proved.

So what about the cup draw – well disappointing just doesn’t cut the mustard, it was simply awful. However Colchester can win at Deepdale and have done so in the past. I can’t help thinking though that if Kettering win their replay at Elland Road they will feel happier at playing in front of 75,000 at Old Trafford rather than Colchester will playing in front of 9,000 at Preston.

The other talking point this week surrounds just who Colchester wish to sign in January. Definitely John Joe O’Toole but what about Kayode Odejayi? I have heard mixed thoughts about this one. My view is yes we should sign him from Barnsley. He is a very positive acquisition to the forward line unplayable at times and with great nuisance value. His goals have also come at a steady pace. Finally Kevin Lisbie; now Roy Keane claims there is a queue of teams wanting to sign him. I suspect he is attempting to talk up his value. Boothroyd is wisely keeping his counsel on this one. He wants Super Kev at the club but is being diplomatic and statesmanlike. I suspect we will retain all three.

But what about our best striking partnership. I think that Platt and Lisbie complement each other well and Odejayi and Platt offer an aerial threat. Gillespie plays best just behind the strikers but we desperately want him to also find the net on a regular basis. However after last season Aidy has worked wonders to get him to this stage. If Vincent is not coming back for some time then Aidy may pursue a right winger in January.

In the meantime bring on the Bees!

Up the U’s

Photo: Action Images



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