COLCHESTER United were beaten 1-0 at home by Northampton Town, on Saturday afternoon.
The U's suffered defeat in their first home game of the 2021-22 season, after Jon Guthrie grabbed a first-half winner for the Cobblers.
The Gazette's U's writer Jon Waldron looks at five talking points from the game at the JobServe Community Stadium.
FORWARD THINKING
COLCHESTER United's lack of goals in their opening three games of the new season has inevitably strengthened calls for them to boost their forward line.
The U's are yet to find the net in the embryonic campaign and it is easy to see why signing another striker is their top priority before the window closes, on August 31.
It is unfortunate for both the U's and Michael Folivi that the striker got injured just before he was due to sign a permanent deal with the club, following his loan spell last season.
On the positive side, Colchester did create numerous chances in the second half and on another day, efforts from the likes of Freddie Sears, Brendan Wiredu and Frank Nouble would have gone in.
Nevertheless, it is vital that Hayden Mullins' side start finding the net sooner, rather than later.
A BRIGHT SPARK
IT is still early days, but Sylvester Jasper is already looking like an astute loan signing for Colchester United.
Having made his U's debut as a substitute at Carlisle United last weekend, the young Fulham attacker has shone for the U's in his last two starts.
U's boss Hayden Mullins labelled Jasper a 'real bright spark' after his eye-catching first-half display against Northampton.
It was just a pity that none of his attacking play led to a goal or assist but they will surely come if he continues to put in these kind of performances.
IN SUPPORT
IT was great to see fans from both Colchester and Northampton at the JobServe Community Stadium again for a league game.
Like every other ground up and down the country last season, games were played in a sterile atmosphere at the stadium without supporters there.
When Brendan Wiredu made a crunching tackle in front of the West Stand in the first half against Northampton, it really felt like the fans were back.
The only downside was the disappointing crowd with just 2,772 attending the U's first home league game with fans for nine months, 446 of which were Northampton supporters.
That was a shame particularly after the overall success of last weekend where more than 382,000 spectators flocked back through the turnstiles of EFL clubs.
SUPER SUBS
IT turned out to be a disappointing defeat for Colchester against Northampton.
But the impact of the U's substitutes must have pleased boss Hayden Mullins, in the final half hour.
Both Luke Hannant and Freddie Sears made a difference after coming off the bench.
The only downside was Sears was being denied by Cobblers keeper Liam Roberts, after finding himself through on goal.
But for the second game running, Colchester's substitutes made a difference and that bodes well for the season ahead.
RED MIST
THE season is only in its embryonic stages.
But Fraser Horsfall is already a leading contender for the receipt of the 'Most Bizarre Moment' 2021-22 award, at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The Northampton Town defender's red card for an inexplicable handball just past the midway point in his own half left his team up against it in the final stages of the game.
The gasps of surprise from the crowd said it all after his moment of madness and referee Trevor Kettle had little choice but to send him off - and give red-faced Horsfall his marching orders.
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