O'Toole nets dramatic late winner for Colchester United (From Gazette)

O'Toole nets dramatic late winner for Colchester United

4:57pm Saturday 28th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(3)

A goal in the third minute of stoppage-time from John-Joe O'Toole gave Colchester United a dramatic win over Hereford United in the FA Cup.

The game looked like it was going to a replay until O'Toole fired in low and decisively from Anthony Wordsworth's cross to give the U's a 1-0 win over their Coca-Cola League Two opponents.

Colchester enjoyed a 20-minute purple patch in the first half, where they created numerous chances which they failed to take.

Hereford goalkeeper Adam Bartlett saved well from Steven Gillespie - who made his first Colchester start for eight months - and then denied Kayode Odejayi.

Kenny Lunt then headed off the line to deny Odejayi and John-Joe O'Toole's 20-yard effort whistled past the post, before Gillespie headed into the side-netting.

However, the U's were unable to make their possession count and allowed Hereford back into the game after that, with Colchester goalkeeper Ben Williams making a fine stop to palm over Darren Jones' long-range shot just before the break.

The Bulls started the second half brightly and Colchester found themselves camped inside their own half for long periods after the break.

Gavin McCallum almost scrambled the ball home after the U's had failed to clear their lines and midway through the half, Williams parried McCallum's shot after he had wriggled free of Marc Tierney and Magnus Okuonghae and got a glimpse of goal.

Substitute Clive Platt almost grabbed a winner for Colchester when he sent a cross-shot just wide following a sweeping move from defence to attack.

And in the final seconds, on-loan O'Toole struck home his second goal for the U's to see them through to the third round.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester United's game at Hereford United, see Monday's Gazette.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(3)