U's are bottom after suffering third successive defeat

4:51pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in Sport By Jonathan Waldron

U's are bottom after suffering third successive defeat U's are bottom after suffering third successive defeat

Colchester United's poor start to the season continued this afternoon when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Doncaster Rovers.

The U's suffered a third successive defeat in League One and are still searching for their first win of the campaign after six matches, following their narrow defeat at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester made the worst possible start when they fell behind after less than three minutes.

A poor throw by goalkeeper Mark Cousins allowed David Cotterill to send a looping shot into the net, from the edge of the area.

Colchester responded well to the setback, with Andy Bond and Freddie Sears both denied by goalkeeper Gary Woods.

The U's finally got back on level terms on the half hour through Magnus Okuonghae, whose deflected low shot from the edge of the area struck the foot of the post before rolling over the line and in.

Colchester pressed for a second after that and Marcus Bean was desperately unlucky to see his fierce shot crash against the crossbar, just before half-time.

But David Syres squandered a great chance for the visitors just before the break.

And Colchester fell behind again just after the interval when Bond headed Cotterill's free-kick into his own net, from close range.

Colchester struggled to test keeper Woods in the second half and Cotterill almost added to Doncaster's lead with 11 minutes to go when his shot from the edge of the area flashed just wide.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's game with Doncaster Rovers, see Monday's Gazette.

Comments(14)

We're not singing anymore!!! says...
5:22pm Sat 15 Sep 12

WARD OUT!!!!

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Bampotonian says...
5:26pm Sat 15 Sep 12

You know what's coming, Mr Cowling...

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Steve86 says...
5:59pm Sat 15 Sep 12

He definitely needs to go, and soon if the fans will stop going. We were shocking up front. But I don't blame the players, as it is what Ward has done in terms of player mentality. We have good players, but the moral seems to be down, and lazy players don't look bothered.

We are rock bottom of the league now, and to be honest, we will stay there until Ward leaves. It's upsetting to see the club ive followed my whole life to be struggling, and nothing being done about it. That's now ONE WIN IN TWENTY, so WARD OUT!!!! At this rate we have no chance against Crawley.

Another thing... I was SHOCKED to hear that Ward will go back to the training ground with a smile on his face, as he thought we played well. (BBC ESSEX).

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Layer Road Exile says...
6:34pm Sat 15 Sep 12

What unbelievably incredible arrogance from Ward in the BBC Essex post match interview. How on earth can he accuse the interviewer of being negative when he himself is probably the least motivational manager in football and plays the most negative style of football I have ever seen in over 50 years of watching the U's? One win in 20 and he has the temerity to tell the interviewer that he doesn't want him demotivating the team. No help required there Ward!

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Fatboyr10 says...
7:23pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Couldn't make the match today, but listened to the interview with glen speller and thought what a to@@er!!

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Ozzie says...
7:58pm Sat 15 Sep 12

What more can you say? Another lacklustre, carefree afternoon for Mr Ward. I can only say that if I and others reading this were to perform as badly as that in their jobs, we wouldn't have one! And to be blatantly arrogant to Neil during the after-match interview on BBC Essex surely brings himself and the club into disrepute! I know that the club don't like BBC Essex being there as they have not supported their application to have matches commentated on live this season on the radio. The game was mediocre to say the least and when Doncaster scored their first goal, there was no reaction from Mr Ward.I think that says it all really - just the hands on the hips (body language) as much as to say, 'I'm alright, Jack, safest position in football here with my mate, Robbie!'. Thought I saw Steve Bull in the crowd today - quite what he was doing there is anybody's guess. Highlight of the afternoon was Peter Shilton getting drenched by a sprinkler at half-time during the 50-50 draw! Good crack, guys! Does Mr Cowling not see the effect this negativity of play and commercial awareness is having on the levels of crowd watching? Can't wait until Tuesday! Maybe 500 less than today's gate! Come on, Mr Cowling! Do the right thing! Even the most die-hard of fans can surely see that Mr Ward's tactics just are not working at the club. Fresh blood required and NOW! Up the U's!!

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Ozzie says...
8:02pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Forgot to say - we must be a 'strong' team now - we are supporting and propping up the bottom of the table! Up the U's!!

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Eddy D says...
8:08pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Have to admit to feeling very down about it all today. Had we lost to Doncaster 2-1 having played reasonably well, (which for large periods I thought we did), and lost this game 10 games from now whilst being in a just-above-midtable position it wouldnt have been the end of the world. It would have been one of those defeats that do just happen. But because of the last two games we needed something from this today. 4 points from these two home games should have been the minimum in the circumstances and that just wont happen now. There were some good performances, (Massey looked excellent if only we could get him in possession higher up the pitch; Bean has slotted right in; Bond -goal aside - worked hard and played some good passes and I thought Eastman too was very good and is becoming a little more wiley), but similarly the mistakes made for each goal and the lead ups were horrendous. If Ward goes, which now looks inevitable and does sadden me to say, what next is my worry. Unless there is someone in the background lined up I fear it could be better the devil we know. Cowling does like to take his time searching and what happens in the interim? Uncertainty and more defeats and by the time someone new comes in it could be game over. We have a really good group of players and Freddies Sears should be the best most prolific striker in this league but he starts far too wide. This is a ramble isnt it? I'm not going to jump on the "Ward out" bandwagon. All I will say is that action is needed, drastic action. I'm hopimng that comes from Ward and he can turn it around, drastically and quickly. Otherwise I guess it could be time to look elsewhere. I really dont know where to start. A win Tuesday is essential regardless of what follows.

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wellnow says...
8:13pm Sat 15 Sep 12

the stadium looked beautiful in late season sun.peter shilton got a bit wet at half time.i didn't win the raffel again.the parking arrangements have changed again.the same 2700 odd people turned up again.

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Boris says...
1:19am Sun 16 Sep 12

After this run of abysmal results, Col U should take encouragement from the remarkable turnround achieved by Boxford Rovers U-10s:
http://www.eadt.co.u
k/news/boxford_team_
celebrates_first_win
_after_17_defeats_1_
1517469

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totallyfootball says...
2:33pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Boris wrote:
After this run of abysmal results, Col U should take encouragement from the remarkable turnround achieved by Boxford Rovers U-10s:
http://www.eadt.co.u

k/news/boxford_team_

celebrates_first_win

_after_17_defeats_1_

1517469
No laughing matter Boris, at this rate Boxford Rovers would give the going through the motions professionals at Colchester a run for their money me thinks?

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Boris says...
6:25pm Sun 16 Sep 12

totallyfootball wrote:
Boris wrote:
After this run of abysmal results, Col U should take encouragement from the remarkable turnround achieved by Boxford Rovers U-10s:
http://www.eadt.co.u


k/news/boxford_team_


celebrates_first_win


_after_17_defeats_1_


1517469
No laughing matter Boris, at this rate Boxford Rovers would give the going through the motions professionals at Colchester a run for their money me thinks?
You're probably right. I don't know Boxford Rovers U-10s but I watch a lot of youth football at U-15 level, and the skills and commitment are consistent, and often better than what our beloved CUFC players serve up these days. Far more entertaining, and a lot cheaper, so as to value for money, there is no contest.

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wellnow says...
8:19am Mon 17 Sep 12

thats just rubbish the skills that individual players have at colchester united are exceptional.the hard part is moulding those skills into a team,matching players etc.john ward has failed to do that,and mr cowling dosn't seem to care.

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totallyfootball says...
8:52am Mon 17 Sep 12

With Cowling it has always been about kudos, maybe now that they are sitting on the bottom he will see all this in a different light? No.........well I can dream can't I?

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