COLCHESTER United are hoping to get the 2022 off to an explosive start tomorrow when they visit Crawley Town.

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It is always a much-anticipated time in the football calendar, with clubs wanting to get the New Year off to a bang.

Colchester have been involved in their fair share of memorable games at this time of year, over recent seasons.

The Gazette looks back at five cracking New Year encounters for the U's.

Gazette:

1 STEVENAGE 2 COLCHESTER UNITED 4 (2016-2017 season)

JOHN McGreal's side arrived at Broadhall Way on a fine run of form - and it continued in style against Stevenage.

Brennan Dickenson gave the U's a 15th-minute lead and Kurtis Guthrie doubled their advantage from the spot, four minutes later.

Ben Kennedy pulled a goal back for Stevenage five minutes before the break and Matt Godden drew the hosts level, soon after half-time.

However, Chris Porter restored Colchester's lead with nine minutes remaining and loanee Tarique Fosu (pictured above, with Matt Briggs) wrapped up the visitors' win, in stoppage-time.

Gazette:

2 COLCHESTER UNITED 3 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 3 (2010-2011 season)

COLCHESTER United were involved in a barnstorming affair against Charlton Athletic in front of more than 6,000 at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Matt Heath (pictured above) put John Ward's side ahead in the 16th minute but former Colchester favourite Johnnie Jackson - now Charlton boss - quickly equalised from the spot.

Andy Bond restored Colchester's advantage in the 24th minute, before David Perkins was sent off in the 39th minute.

Jackson restored Charlton's lead with another penalty soon after but Anthony Wordsworth put the U's ahead for a third time, just after the hour.

However, the Addicks would not lie down and equalised for a third time through Paul Benson who was sent off late on, as a remarkable encounter finished all square.

Gazette:

3 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1 COLCHESTER UNITED 3 (2007-2008 season)

COLCHESTER arrived at The Valley without a win in six Championship matches and in need of a victory, in their survival battle.

And it proved a successful New Year for Geraint Williams' side, as Kevin Lisbie (pictued above) returned to haunt his old club Charlton Athletic.

Lisbie slotted away a 16th-minute penalty to put Colchester ahead and then scored again, 13 minutes later.

Luke Varney did pull a goal back for Charlton just before half-time but a U's side featuring the likes of Mark Yeates, Dean Gerken and George Elokobi claimed a notable victory.

Gazette:

4 BRENTFORD 0 COLCHESTER UNITED 2 (2005-2006 season)

PHIL Parkinson's side rolled up at Griffin Park looking to claim some valuable points, in their push for the Championship.

And they came away from West London with all three, after a fine away victory at promotion rivals Brentford.

Mark Yeates, on loan from Spurs, fired the U's ahead, on the half hour mark.

And the Irishman (pictured above) wrapped up Colchester's victory, late on.

It was to be the start of a magnificent ten-match winning run in all competitions for Colchester, in their promotion-winning season.

Gazette:

5 SWINDON TOWN 0 COLCHESTER UNITED 3 (2004-2005 season)

A CROWD of more than 6,000 turned up at the County Ground on New Year's Day 2005 in expectant mood.

But the game was effectively lost for hosts Swindon Town, before half-time.

Gavin Johnson and Neil Danns both netted in the first half, to put Colchester ahead.

And Richard Garcia's goal just after the break wrapped up a fine away win, for Phil Parkinson (pictured above) and his side.