COLCHESTER’S England fans found themselves making their own entertainment on Friday night as the Three Lions played out a stale 0-0 draw against the USA.

Fans had gathered in many of the city centre’s bars and pubs to watch England’s second game of the 2022 World Cup campaign – and the first outside most people’s normal working hours – but they were left disappointed as they endured a match where each side managed a combined total of only four shots on goal.

Inside the Marquis – where last year raucous fans soaked each other in beer as they celebrated England’s journey to the Euro 2020 final – the loudest cheer of the evening came when one of the pub staff saved the HD TV screens from going into standby mode.

Gazette: Straightforward – police ensured Head Street was clear for traffic, but that was the extent of their exertionsStraightforward – police ensured Head Street was clear for traffic, but that was the extent of their exertions (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Songs, chants, and general revelry were also in short supply, with even the classic Three Lions song only drawing a few murmurs from many of those inside during the half-time break.

Substitutions drew boos and cheers throughout the second half, and as the full-time whistle approached, a rendition of ‘happy birthday’ broke out for one pub-goer who may have wished they had celebrated turning a year older by having some fun as opposed to watching this group stage stalemate.

The draw was perhaps a welcome result for the police, however – fans who made their way to Head Street from the Marquis, The Centurion, and Walkabout were largely subdued and had little to shout about.

About seven police officers were on hand to make sure the road was clear for traffic to filter through, and one officer ordered a supporter to empty his drink – which he reluctantly did – but that aside, the shift for Essex Police’s on-duty officers was as straightforward and hassle-free as it could have been.

Gazette: Busy – the Marquis was full of England fans who were given little to cheer about in a lifeless displayBusy – the Marquis was full of England fans who were given little to cheer about in a lifeless display (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

It was a far cry from the scenes on Head Street last year, when hundreds lined the streets on warm summer evenings as England progressed to their first major tournament final since 1966.

Alongside that success, however, came public disorder and criminal damage as supporters climbed onto bus shelters and, in isolated cases, goaded police officers on duty.

If Friday was uneventful for football fans, it at least meant it was uneventful for the emergency services too.