Colchester United secure excellent win over Exeter City

The U's ran out worthy winners to claim back-to-back home league wins and end the Grecians' 15-match league unbeaten run.

First-half goals from Sylvester Jasper and Noah Chilvers put Colchester in charge, at the break.

And although substitute Padraig Amond gave the visitors hope just before the midway point of the second half, Freddie Sears sealed the U's impressive win five minutes later with a fine finish.

The only downside to the night for the U’s was the meagre crowd of 2,028, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins made three changes to his starting line-up.

Jake Turner was handed his first league start for the U’s in goal, while Luke Hannant and skipper Tommy Smith were both recalled to the starting line-up.

Goalkeeper Shamal George missed out due to injury, while Tom Eastman and Frank Nouble dropped to the bench.

Colchester were looking to bounce back after their defeat at Stevenage against an Exeter side who came into the back on the back of a 20-match unbeaten run.

And the U’s made the best possible start when they took a 12th-minute lead.

After being picked out by Luke Hannant on the edge of the area, Jasper controlled before planting a low shot past Cameron Dawson and into the net for his third goal of the season.

Exeter had a good opportunity to equalise six minutes later when former U’s forward Jevani Brown, returning to his old club following his summer departure, wastefully ballooned a shot over from the edge of the area.

But although the Grecians had the better of the possession, the U’s still threatened.

They almost doubled their lead just after the half hour through Charlie Daniels, whose looping header from Armando Dobra’s ball into the area floated just over the bar.

Colchester were forced into a change soon after, with injured right-back Junior Tchamadeu forced off and replaced by Cameron Coxe.

But the U’s doubled their lead in the third minute of time added on, in the first half.

Substitute Coxe did well to get to the byline and deliver an excellent cross, allowing Chilvers to fire in a shot that deflected off Josh Key and into the net for his third goal of the season.

It was an organised and disciplined first-half display by the U’s, who were well worth their lead at the break.

Exeter looked for a route back into the game and Matt Jay's shot from the edge of the area flew straight at Turner on the hour mark.

Turner then made a smart stop at his near post to prevent Jay's fierce low effort from sailing in, a few minutes later.

But Exeter halved the deficit in the 69th minute through substitute Amond, who stabbed home from close range after Sam Nombe had helped the ball on, following a corner.

However, Colchester needed only five minuets to restore their two-goal advantage.

Sears latched onto Dobra's pass and calmly lifted the ball past the advancing Dawson and in, to the delight of the home fans.

Turner made a fine save to deny Nombe's header and push it away for a corner as the clock ticked down but Colchester sealed a deserved victory.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Turner, Tchamadeu (sub Coxe, 35), Chambers, Smith, Daniels, Skuse, Chilvers, Hannant (sub Eastman, 70), Dobra, Jasper, Sears (sub McCoulsky, 86).

Subs (not used): Cooper, Judge, Nouble, Gerken.

Exeter City: Dawson, Caprice, Ray (sub Amond, 54), Sweeney, Hartridge, Collins, Key, Jay (sub Coley, 81), Dieng, Brown (sub Owura, 83), Nombe.

Subs (not used): Brown, Daniel, Grounds, Kite.

Referee: Tom Nield.

Bookings: Colchester: Tchamadeu (foul, 26), Skuse (foul, 85).

Sending-off: None.

Goals: Colchester: Jasper (12), Chilvers (45), Sears (74). Exeter: Amond (69).

Attendance: 2,028 (188 Exeter fans).