Colchester United ran out 3-0 winners at Port Vale to move up to fourth in League Two

Back on track

COLCHESTER United’s promotion hunt is well and truly back up and running.

The 3-0 win at Port Vale was an emphatic return to form for John McGreal’s side, following their blip over recent games.

Having dropped out of the top seven in League Two over the festive period, the U’s are now fourth and just a point off third-placed MK Dons.

A number of Colchester’s promotion rivals dropped points over the weekend, which made their victory at Vale Park even more significant.

Now they must follow it up next Saturday with a win over fifth-placed Mansfield Town, who are perched a point and a place behind them.

Decisions decisions

HARRY Pell could not decide which of his goals he preferred, following his brace at Port Vale.

“I’m a bit confused, because I don’t know which goal is better,” said the Colchester United midfielder, following his double strike at Vale Park.

The popular midfielder, who was outstanding against Vale, has now scored three goals in his last two games for the U’s.

It’s now seven for the season for the former Cheltenham Town man and he remains a key player in their ongoing promotion push.

Rene’s reflexes

IN the end, Colchester United’s triumph at Port Vale was pretty comprehensive as the final scoreline suggests.

However, there was a moment just before half-time that proved crucial in influencing how the match panned out.

After racing into a two-goal lead early on, the U’s were forced to defend in the final 15 minutes of the first half as the hosts tried desperately to find a route back into the game.

Colchester goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin had hardly been tested before pulling off a fine save to push Luke Joyce’s effort onto the woodwork.

It helped to preserve the U’s authority heading into the interval and they were able to go on and seal victory.

“If that goes in, it’s a different game,” admitted U’s boss John McGreal after his side’s win.

Brennan steps up

KANE Vincent-Young is enjoying an impressive season at left-back for Colchester United.

So replacing the injured defender was always going to be tough for the U’s against Port Vale.

However, the performance of Brennan Dickenson helped ensure that Vincent-Young’s absence at Vale Park was not too detrimental.

Dickenson’s natural game is to attack on the wing but he produced a disciplined and impressive performance at full-back.

And even when Vale tried to exploit him playing out of position by switching Luke Hannant to the right wing in the second half, the U’s man rose to the challenge superbly.

A welcome return

HE did not manage to get on the pitch at Vale Park.

But seeing Louis Dunne’s name among the Colchester United substitutes for their game at Port Vale was a big boost, not least to the player himself.

Dunne has had to wait patiently to break back into John McGreal’s squad, following a long injury lay-off and subsequent rehabilitation.

The last time he was named in the U's 18 for a league match was when he was an unused substituted in a 2-1 defeat at Yeovil Town, some 785 days ago. 

But being back part of the first-team squad will have given the talented youngster a big lift, after his frustrating time on the sidelines.