Eastmond strike secures Colchester a vital win at Yeovil

Eastmond’s deflected strike, scored with 18 minutes remaining, was enough to secure the U’s a precious three points and their first league away win since September, following a nervy affair at Huish Park.

It was a huge win for Colchester, who ended their run of five successive league defeats with this success.

Colchester boss Tony Humes made three changes to his starting line-up for their game at Yeovil, handing recalls to Ben Gordon, Sean Clohessy and Gavin Massey.

Yeovil started the better of the two sides, with Tom Eastman and Kaspars Gorkss both making timely blocks to prevent the home side from taking an early lead.

Colchester threatened on occasions in the first half.

Ben Nugent came close to slicing into his own net after Freddie Sears had driven the ball into the six-yard box, from Craig Eastmond’s pass, while Massey escaped the Yeovil defence but could only drive a low shot straight at goalkeeper Jed Steer.

But U’s goalkeeper Sam Walker made a great save to deny Simon Gillett from point blank range just after the half hour mark, after Seth Twumasi's pass had picked him out.

However, the first half was a lacklustre affair with little in the way of goalmouth action or incident and it took more than 20 minutes of the second half to elapse before there was a meaningful effort on goal from either side.

U’s goalkeeper Walker had to be at his best to parry Thomas Eaves’ header away, following Joseph Edwards’ cross to the near post.

But Colchester made the all-important breakthrough with 18 minutes remaining when Eastmond’s deflected effort flew past Steer from inside the area, after George Moncur had done well to pick him out.

Yeovil almost equalised when Tom Eaves sent a header straight at Walker from five yards with two minutes remaining but Colchester had done enough to claim a big win.

For five pages of coverage of Colchester’s game with Yeovil, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.