2018–19_Colchester_United_F.C._season

2018–19 Colchester United F.C. season

2018–19 Colchester United F.C. season

Colchester United 2018–19 football season

The 2018–19 season was Colchester United's 82nd season in their history and their third successive season competing in League Two. Along with competing in League Two, the club also participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

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Colchester missed the play-offs by just a single point in a dramatic season finale. Having been in and around the automatic promotion positions early season, Colchester found themselves fighting for the play-offs for much of the campaign. However, a drop in form in March going into mid-April saw them drop out of the play-off places and struggled to make a return. A short spell of form at the end of the season left them in contention with a game to spare, but an 87th-minute equaliser for Newport County in their game on the final day of the season meant the U's finished eighth.

In the FA Cup, Colchester were eliminated by League One side Accrington Stanley in the first round, and League Two rivals Cheltenham Town beat the U's following a penalty shoot-out in the first round of the EFL Cup. Colchester finished third in their EFL Trophy group, missing out on progression following defeats by Southampton under-21s and Cambridge United but did record an Essex derby victory against Southend United.

Season overview

Preseason

Colchester's position in League Two for the 2018–19 season was confirmed on 21 April 2018, when the U's suffered a 2–1 defeat at Lincoln City, mathematically ruling out potential for promotion through the play-offs.[5]

On 8 May, following the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, Colchester announced four players would be leaving on 1 July 2018 following the expiry of their contracts. These included Doug Loft whose time with the U's had been plagued by injury, Scottish duo Denny Johnstone and Craig Slater who had both been on loan north of the border during the previous season, and Tommy O'Sullivan who again had been out on loan with Torquay United during the latter part of last season.[6]

On 9 May, Academy graduate Drey Wright signed a two-year pre-contract agreement with Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.[7]

On 10 May, Colchester signed Cheltenham Town midfielder Harry Pell on a three-year contract for an undisclosed six-figure sum.[8]

On 12 May, both Tom Lapslie and Brennan Dickenson took up the option of a further year on their contracts to remain with Colchester until summer 2019.[9]

On 15 May, defender Ryan Jackson signed a contract extension with the club until the summer of 2020.[10]

The club announced on 18 May that seven of the under-23 squad would be released at the end of their contracts. This included Tarryn Allarakhia, Charley Edge, Dominic Kurasik, Eli Phipps, Josh Pollard, Callum Sturgess and JJ Wilson.[11]

Three scholars were offered professional contracts to remain with the club on 24 May, with Dean Ager, Callum Jones and Ollie Kensdale all offered terms.[12]

On 24 May, Colchester signed goalkeeper Bailey Vose from Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.[13]

Following a successful trial towards the end of the 2017–18 season, Noah Chesmain agreed a one-year contract with the club on 25 May after his release by Millwall.[14]

On 30 May, the club confirmed seven under-23s players had agreed contract extensions. These included George Brown, Ryan Clampin, Eoin McKeown, Decarrey Sheriff, Sam Warde, and Diaz Wright, who agreed one-year deals, and Louis Dunne, who signed a two-year deal.[15]

On 1 June, the club announced that the new stadium sponsors would be JobServe and the stadium therefore renamed JobServe Community Stadium after the expiry of Weston Homes' ten-year deal.[16] The same day, it was announced Millwall would be visiting the stadium for a pre-season friendly on 24 July.[17]

Club captain Luke Prosser agreed a new two-year deal with Colchester United on 6 June.[18]

On 7 June, Colchester signed former West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ethan Ross on a two-year contract, while Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Aaron Collins joined the club in a season-long loan deal.[19]

On 8 June, Frank Nouble signed a two-year contract with the U's joining from League Two rivals Newport County after his contract had expired.[20] Meanwhile, three more friendlies were confirmed, with trips to nearby Maldon & Tiptree and newly promoted National League side Braintree Town on 7 and 10 July respectively. Also announced was a trip to north Wales to play Colwyn Bay on 13 July.[21]

On 12 June, a further friendly fixture was added with a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge set for 17 July.[22]

On 15 June, Colchester were drawn away to Cheltenham Town in the EFL Cup first round.[23]

On 22 June, Colchester announced another friendly game against Dartford on 21 July.[24]

On 27 June, Colchester signed Swindon Town striker Luke Norris on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[25]

On 29 June, manager John McGreal announced that both Sean Murray and Sam Walker had left the club after failing to agree new contracts, while he also hoped out-of-contract Kane Vincent-Young would remain with the club.[26]

On 5 July, Colchester signed centre back Chris Forino-Joseph on a one-year contract following a trial period with the under-23 side last season.[27]

Colchester played their first pre-season friendly against Maldon & Tiptree on 7 July. The visitors in their new away kit took the lead through captain Luke Prosser when he headed in Aaron Collins' corner kick after 12-minutes. Three minutes later, Collins was again the provider for Sammie Szmodics to convert from close range. Collins was then fouled in the penalty area and stepped up to convert from the spot on 27-minutes. On the half-hour mark, Sam Warde, playing for the Jammers, scored for the home side with a 25-yard free kick. After the break, both sides made wholesale changes, and Mikael Mandron completed the scoring to make it 4–1 to United on the hour mark.[28]

A final pre-season game against League One Gillingham was arranged on 10 July for Saturday 28 July.[29]

Colchester travelled to Braintree Town for their second pre-season friendly. The U's took the lead after ten minutes when Frank Nouble registered his first goal for the club following a lay-off from Ryan Gondoh. In the second half the lead was doubled when Mikael Mandron struck on 51-minutes, before Sammie Szmodics scored four minutes later to make it 3–0. Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe scored from close range in the 71st minute and Mandron scored his third goal in two games to complete the scoring three minutes from time.[30]

During their summer training camp in Cheshire, the U's faced Northern Premier League side Colwyn Bay. Two goals from Mikael Mandron and one each from Tom Lapslie, Aaron Collins and Frank Nouble secured an easy victory for Colchester.[31]

Following the announcement that JobServe had gained the stadium naming rights, JobServe owner and club chairman Robbie Cowling announced JobServe would also be the club's shirt sponsor for home and away kits for the 2018–19 season.[32]

On 13 July, Colchester were drawn against Southend United and Cambridge United for the EFL Trophy group stage, with their final Category One under-21 invited opponents revealed on 18 July.[33]

Dagenham & Redbridge held the U's to a 1–1 draw at Victoria Road on 17 July. Michael Cheek opened the scoring with a free kick at the midway point of the first half, but Diaz Wright scored five minutes from full-time to rescue a draw for the visitors.[34]

Colchester's final opponents in the EFL Trophy group stage were drawn on 18 July with Southampton under-21s set to visit the Community Stadium.[35]

A late own goal proved the difference between hosts Dartford and the U's on 21 July. Ronnie Vint put the ball into his own net following a cross from Brennan Dickenson after 81-minutes as Colchester battled to a narrow victory over the National League South side.[36]

In their penultimate friendly fixture and their first of two home friendly games, Colchester defeated Millwall 2–1 thanks to first-half goals from Sammie Szmodics and Kane Vincent-Young, still to sign a new contract with the U's. Millwall earned a late consolation goal through Jed Wallace in the 89th minute to deny United a clean sheet.[37]

On 25 July, under-23s centre-back Will Wright signed for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until January.[38]

On 27 July, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe joined National League side Bromley on loan until January.[39]

Colchester closed their pre-season campaign with a resounding 5–1 win over Gillingham at the Community Stadium. Sammie Szmodics opened the scoring inside five minutes. Szmodics then provided the assist for Aaron Collins to make it 2–0 after quarter of an hour, before Mikael Mandron made it 3–0 on 30-minutes. On 39-minutes, Gillingham's Mark Byrne received a red card for a challenge on Tom Lapslie. The visitors pulled a goal back just before the interval through Dean Parrett. Mandron restored the U's three goal advantage on 57-minutes, and Tom Eastman rounded off an unbeaten pre-season with Colchester's fifth goal on 62-minutes.[40]

August

Colchester United's League Two campaign started with an away game at Notts County on 4 August. John McGreal handed debuts to Harry Pell, Aaron Collins and Frank Nouble. Dillon Barnes was selected in goal for the U's and claimed a clean sheet for himself as the match ended 0–0, with both teams having good opportunities to take all three points.[41]

After much speculation about his future, Kane Vincent-Young signed a new two-year contract with the club on 6 August.[42]

On 7 August, the U's signed Dagenham & Redbridge academy player David Agboola to bolster the under-23 squad. He signed a one-year contract with the club.[43]

Colchester faced Port Vale in their first home fixture of the season. Courtney Senior and Ryan Jackson scored in the eighth and 23rd-minutes respectively to hand the home side a 2–0 win on 11 August.[44]

Colchester were once again eliminated from the EFL Cup at the first round stage. Hosts Cheltenham took the lead within the first minute through Ryan Broom following a defensive error by Frankie Kent. In the second half, Dillon Barnes conceded a penalty after a foul on Jacob Maddox. Conor Thomas stepped up to convert the kick and give Cheltenham a 2–0 lead. Substitute Sammie Szmodics registered his first goal of the season 12-minutes after arriving on the pitch in the 79th minute, before debutant Luke Norris scored to level the match at 2–2. The game ended in a draw, with a penalty shoot-out ensuing. Cheltenham won the shoot-out 6–5 after Courtney Senior missed the decisive kick in sudden death.[45]

On 18 August, Colchester scored a 95th-minute equaliser in their game at Mansfield Town. Following a goalless first half, the hosts took an 81st-minute lead through Craig Davies, but Sammie Szmodics goal drew the U's level in the fifth minute of added time to secure a 1–1 draw.[46]

On 21 August, Noah Chesmain signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Hitchin Town in an initial month-long loan deal.[47]

The U's hosted Crewe Alexandra in their first midweek fixture of the season on 21 August. Frankie Kent scored his first goal of the campaign after four minutes, before Brennan Dickenson scored his first goal since April 2017 to double Colchester's advantage just four minutes later. Dickenson then grabbed another goal on 26-minutes to give the hosts a 3–0 lead going in to half-time. After the break, Ryan Jackson scored his second goal of the campaign just before the hour mark, before substitute Luke Norris scored his first league goal for Colchester on 74-minutes. Tom Lapslie added another goal on 77-minutes to earn a comprehensive 6–0 victory for the U's.[48]

Colchester suffered their first defeat of the season at home to Northampton Town on 25 August. A second-half goal from Matt Crooks was added to in injury time by Billy Waters but the U's earned themselves a late consolation goal after Aaron Pierre scored an own goal.[49]

On 30 August, Tariq Issa signed for Southern League Premier Division Central side Needham Market on loan until January.[50][51]

On 31 August, Cameron James joined National League side Braintree Town on loan until January.[52]

September

On 1 September, Colchester won 3–1 in their second trip to Whaddon Road in less than a month following the 2–2 EFL Cup penalty defeat to Cheltenham. Luke Norris scored from the penalty spot on 12 minutes after Frankie Kent was fouled in the penalty area, and then added a second from a free kick after 26 minutes. After the break, Cheltenham pulled a goal back through Kevin Dawson, but Colchester secured victory in the 88th minute, again from the penalty spot, as Harry Pell converted against his former club.[53]

Colchester faced Southampton Under-21s on 4 September in an EFL Trophy clash. John McGreal handed debuts to defensive pair Aaron Barnes and Paul Rooney. The U's fell behind in the 26th minute to a Marcus Barnes goal. After the break, Ryan Clampin was introduced for his Colchester debut. Southampton added a second goal in the fourth minute of added time in front of a Community Stadium attendance of just 532.[3]

Harry Pell scored in his second consecutive league games against Tranmere Rovers on 8 September. James Norwood had given the hosts the lead just before half time but Pell's strike on the hour mark earned Colchester a point from the 1–1 draw.[54]

On 28 September, Paul Rooney joined Bromley on loan for one month,[55] while Sam Warde joined Leiston in a month-long loan deal.[56]

Colchester welcomed former manager Joe Dunne back to the Community Stadium for the first time as an opposing manager when the U's hosted Cambridge United on 15 September. Sammie Szmodics scored his third goal of the season to open the scoring on 23 minutes. Twelve minutes later Frank Nouble registered his first Colchester goal to give the home side a 2–0 advantage going into the break. In the second half, substitute Courtney Senior scored his second goal of the season to earn a comfortable win for the U's and lift them to fourth in the table.[57]

Colchester surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 3–3 at Oldham Athletic on 22 September. Luke Norris opened the scoring after 15 minutes, and Harry Pell scored to make it 2–0 on 50 minutes. Sam Surridge pulled a goal back for the hosts on 59 minutes, before Norris scored his sixth goal of the season to hand the U's a 3–1 lead. Surridge then scored again with five minutes remaining to reduce the deficit, but not before Peter Clarke scored an 88th-minute equaliser.[58]

Colchester hosted Bury in their final game of the month on 29 September. The U's lost Frankie Kent to injury after just nine minutes of play, and his replacement Tom Eastman was also withdrawn following an injury at half time. This came after Bury opened the scoring through Byron Moore after 35 minutes. Bury then doubled their lead on 52 minutes through Chris Dagnall. Luke Norris converted from the penalty spot on 81 minutes to give the U's a glimmer of hope of earning some points but they eventually fell to a 2–1 defeat.[59]

October

On 2 October, the U's bounced back from their home defeat by Bury to win 3–1 against Yeovil Town. Tom Eastman scored his first goal of the season to give Colchester a 25th-minute lead. After the interval, Frank Nouble scored his second Colchester goal on 59 minutes, before adding a second on 84 minutes. Yeovil pulled a goal back in the fifth minute of added time through Tom James.[60]

Colchester suffered their first away defeat of the season on 6 October. Sammie Szmodics had opened the scoring against Stevenage after just two minutes, but former U's man Kurtis Guthrie levelled the score on 41 minutes. Ben Kennedy converted from the penalty spot after Brennan Dickenson fouled Steve Seddon in the penalty area eight minutes from time. Emmanuel Sonupe then added a third for Stevenage two minutes later to drop Colchester out of the play-off zone.[61]

Colchester took on Southend United for an Essex derby clash in the EFL Trophy at the Community Stadium on 9 October. Frankie Kent scored after 39 minutes and on 49 minutes Aaron Collins scored his first goal in a U's shirt for a 2–0 victory.[62]

Colchester returned to winning ways in the league with a 3–1 victory over Crawley Town on 13 October. Sammie Szmodics opened the scoring after 27 minutes for the home side. Crawley equalised after Luke Prosser was judged to have fouled Luke Gambin in the penalty area and Filipe Morais converted the spot kick. After the break, Frank Nouble restored the U's lead on 57 minutes, and Luke Norris scored his eighth goal of the season in the final minute of normal time. Crawley had a man sent off when Bondz N'Gala kicked out at Norris.[63]

On 20 October, Colchester won 1–0 at Morecambe with Courtney Senior's third goal of the season separating the two sides.[64] They were then defeated 1–0 on the road at Grimsby Town on 23 October with Wes Thomas' second-half goal winning it for the home side.[65] This followed the FA Cup first round draw, at which Colchester were drawn away to League One Accrington Stanley.[66]

On 26 October, young goalkeeper Bailey Vose joined National League South side Dartford in an initial month-long loan deal.[67]

Colchester hosted league leaders Lincoln City on 27 October. Frankie Kent's third goal of the season in the 28th minute was enough to consign Lincoln to only their third defeat of the season and reduce the gap to five points between the two sides in the table.[68]

November

Colchester moved into the promotion places with a 1–0 home win over Swindon Town on 3 November. Shortly after top scorer Luke Norris had been stretchered off with an injury against his former club, Sammie Szmodics scored his sixth goal of the season. The U's held on in the second half to gain all three points.[69]

On 10 November, the U's played their FA Cup first round tie against Accrington Stanley. After only three minutes, Colchester lost defender Tom Eastman to injury, and then goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin suffered a similar fate after half an hour. Shortly after Dillon Barnes was brought on to replace Gilmartin, Accrington scored through Daniel Barlaser. The hosts held on to record a 1–0 victory, spelling a first round exit for the U's for a third successive season.[70]

The U's played their second cup game in three days in their final group stage EFL Trophy match at Cambridge United. Colchester-born Ollie Kensdale made his senior debut in defence, but United were first to concede to an Ade Azeez goal after 32 minutes. On the stroke of half-time, Dillon Barnes saved a penalty from Azeez, and saved the follow-up effort, but later conceded to Azeez again nine-minutes from full-time. In second-half injury time, Harry Pell scored his fourth goal of the campaign to give the U's hope, but Emmanuel Osadebe struck a third for Cambridge less than a minute later to dump Colchester out of the competition.[71]

Colchester suffered their third consecutive defeat on 17 November as they were beaten 2–0 at Newport County. They slipped out of the automatic promotion places as a result.[72] They made a return to the promotion spots following a 1–1 home draw with Exeter City on 24 November. Jayden Stockley cancelled out Sammie Szmodics' 67th-minute strike, bundling the ball into the net on 70 minutes to rescue a point for the away side.[73]

Szmodics scored in a second successive game to level with Luke Norris on eight goals as the club's top goalscorer. His deflected effort was enough to see off Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn on 27 November to keep Colchester third in the table.[74]

After Paul Rooney's loan spell at Bromley ended, he made another loan move to Billericay Town on 30 November.[75]

December

Mikael Mandron registered his first goal of the season on 8 December as Colchester beat Sol Campbell's Macclesfield Town 1–0 in his first game in charge of the club.[76]

Eoin McKeown joined National League South side Wealdstone in an emergency loan deal.[77]

Colchester suffered a 4–0 defeat at Carlisle United on 15 December. Three second-half goals put the match beyond the U's in their heaviest defeat of the season.[78]

On 21 December, Cameron James returned to Braintree Town on loan until 16 January.[79]

Captain Luke Prosser scored the only goal of the game as second-placed Milton Keynes Dons hosted the third placed U's at Stadium MK, earning Colchester a first-ever win at the stadium and inflicting a first home defeat of the season on the Dons.[80]

On Christmas Eve, Ollie Kensdale signed his first professional contract, signing on until summer 2021.[81]

Colchester dropped out of the play-off places on Boxing Day following a home defeat by Stevenage. The U's fell behind after five minutes when Joel Byrom's free kick hit the post and went in off Rene Gilmartin. They then found themselves two goals down on 36-minutes following a Danny Newton tap-in. Luke Prosser scored his second goal in as many games to reduce the deficit in a dominant second-half but Colchester were eventually consigned to a 2–1 loss.[2]

In their final game of 2018, Colchester were held to a dull 0–0 draw by Morecambe.[82]

January

Colchester started the new year in terrible fashion with a 2–0 defeat at Crawley Town on New Year's Day. The hosts had to play for almost an hour with ten men after Joe McNerney was sent off. On the hour mark, Crawley took the lead through Luke Gambin against the run of play. Colchester were also reduced to ten men in the 89th minute when Frankie Kent was sent off for a second bookable offence, allowing Gambin to score again with the resulting free kick. With the result, they fell out of the play-off places and the top seven for the first time since early October.[83]

On 2 January, Aaron Collins' loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers was terminated by mutual consent after four starts and a total of ten appearances for the U's.[84]

On 3 January, Tom Lapslie agreed a 2+1⁄2-year contract extension, committing himself to the club until summer 2021.[85]

On 4 January, young goalkeeper Ethan Ross joined Maidstone United in an initial one-month loan deal.[86]

In their first home game of 2019, Colchester hosted bottom-of-the-table Notts County and were held to a 3–3 draw. Colchester struck first through Sammie Szmodics who scored his ninth goal of the season. They were pegged back on 16 minutes when Jon Stead scored, and three minutes later the visitors were in front following a Daniel Jones goal. County went further ahead on 32 minutes through Kristian Dennis before an attempted clearance deflected into the net from Mikael Mandron to bring the U's back into the game at 3–2. In the second-half, Courtney Senior was fouled in the penalty area and Harry Pell stepped up to convert.[87]

On 8 January, Ryan Clampin signed a new contract to keep him with the club until summer 2021.[88] Meanwhile, Will Wright's loan at Dagenham & Redbridge was extended until the end of the season,[89] and Decarrey Sheriff joined National League South side Dulwich Hamlet on loan for a month having completed his loan spell at Maldon & Tiptree.[90]

After going four games without a win, Colchester picked up their with a 3–0 victory at Port Vale on 12 January. Courtney Senior put the visitors ahead after five minutes, and the U's were 2–0 ahead when Harry Pell scored on 18 minutes. He then scored his third in two games on 69 minutes to move the U's back into the play-off places and fourth in the table.[91]

On 19 January, Colchester took a 2–0 lead by the 30th-minute against high-flying Mansfield Town through Tom Eastman and Courtney Senior goals. After the break, Mansfield scored three goals to win the match 3–2.[92] The U's then lost again from a winning position away to Crewe on 26 January. Sammie Szmodics had scored an eleventh-minute goal for his tenth of the season, but Crewe equalised shortly after half-time and then scored a late winner to drop Colchester out of the play-off places once again.[93]

On 29 January, Colchester signed Shrewsbury Town winger Abo Eisa on loan for the remainder of the season.[94] The following day, the club announced the re-signing of Ben Stevenson on a 2+1⁄2-year deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Stevenson had appeared for the U's on loan during the 2017–18 season after signing for Wolves during the January 2018 transfer window.[95] On 31 January, transfer deadline day, the U's brought in Newcastle United winger Callum Roberts on loan until the end of the season.[96]

February

On 1 February, Colchester announced the signings of two triallists who had been involved with the under-23 squad. Midfielders Tyrique Hyde and Percy Kiangebeni each signed deals until June 2020.[97]

Colchester bounced back from two successive defeats to convincingly beat Northampton Town 4–0 at Sixfields Stadium on 2 February. Frank Nouble scored his fifth goal of the season to open the scoring on 25-minutes. The score remained the same until the interval, and half-time substitute and debutant Abo Eisa doubled the U's advantage five minutes after coming on. Kane Vincent-Young made it 3–0 after 53-minutes, before Sammie Szmodics completed the scoring on 67-minutes with his tenth league goal of the campaign.[98]

Striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was once again loaned out on 6 February, joining League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City until 30 June.[99]

The U's moved back into the play-offs and up to fourth in the table with a comfortable 3–0 win over Cheltenham Town at the Community Stadium on 9 February. Each goalscorer had scored in the 4–0 win at Northampton last weekend as Kane Vincent-Young opened the scoring on 30-minutes before Frank Nouble doubled the lead two minutes from the break. In the second-half, Abo Eisa scored his second goal in his second game for the club to secure victory.[100]

Macclesfield Town hosted the U's on 16 February and took the lead in the 44th-minute Scott Wilson. Colchester equalised after the break when Frank Nouble converted a penalty after Courtney Senior had been fouled in the penalty area. Neither side could score a winner and drew 1–1.[101]

On 22 February, midfielder Sam Warde joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers on loan until the end of June.[102]

Colchester hosted fellow play-off hopefuls Carlisle United on 23 February hoping to make up for their 4–0 defeat at Brunton Park in December. After a goalless first-half, the visitors took the lead on 57-minutes through Hallam Hope, but Colchester pressed for an equaliser and scored in the 84th-minute through Frankie Kent to draw 1–1 and record an undefeated February.[103]

March

On 2 March, Colchester suffered their first defeat since 26 January when they were beaten 3–0 at Swindon Town.[104]

On 9 March, Colchester returned to the play-off positions with a 3–0 home win over Newport County. Sammie Szmodics scored his twelfth goal of the season on 20-minutes, and Courtney Senior doubled the U's lead in first-half stoppage time. Frank Nouble then scored the game's third goal against his former club. Meanwhile, Noah Chilvers came off the bench in the 89th-minute of the match to make his professional bow.[105]

On 12 March, Colchester were beaten 3–0 at home by Forest Green Rovers. Frank Nouble was sent off for a second bookable offence in the second-half, leaving the U's in seventh in the League Two table.[106]

Callum Roberts' loan spell with the club was cut short on 13 March after being recalled by Newcastle United.[107]

On 16 March, Colchester suffered a second successive 3–0 defeat at Exeter City. The result dropped them out of the play-off places, but the match did see the debut of Colchester's youngest-ever first-team player when 16-year-old Todd Miller replaced Courtney Senior in the 87th-minute of the game.[108]

Colchester lost their third consecutive league game on 23 March with a 2–0 home defeat by Tranmere Rovers. The result dropped the U's to ninth place in the table and four points off the play-off positions.[109]

Following the news that Harry Pell had been ruled out for the remainder of the season with his hamstring injury,[110] Colchester signed Sam Saunders on a short-term contract until the end of the season having previously played in League One for Wycombe Wanderers until his January release.[111]

On 30 March, Kane Vincent-Young scored a 96th-minute winner at Cambridge United to seal a first victory in three weeks for the U's and return them to the play-off hunt with the club finding themselves in eighth position, just one point shy of the play-off places.[112]

April

Colchester were beaten 2–0 at home by Oldham Athletic on 6 April, dropping them to ninth position and two points outside of the play-off positions.[113] They then lost 2–0 at Bury on 13 April, falling further behind in the play-off race with the U's now five points adrift of seventh-placed Exeter.[114]

The U's closed the gap to seventh-placed Exeter to just two points on 19 April with a 1–0 home victory over Grimsby, Frank Nouble scoring Colchester's only goal of the game.[115]

Colchester were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Yeovil Town on 22 April. The hosts took the lead in the 53rd-minute, but Colchester goalkeeper Dillon Barnes was sent off for violent conduct two minutes later, allowing substitute goalkeeper Ethan Ross to come on for his professional debut. He kept a clean sheet for his 40-minute cameo. Tom Eastman scored the U's equaliser on 75-minutes to move up to eighth but remained two-points behind seventh-placed Exeter with two matches to play.[116]

On 27 April, Colchester won their final home game of the season 2–0 against automatic promotion-chasing Milton Keynes Dons. Sammie Szmodics scored his 13th goal of the season after just two minutes of play, and Frankie Kent doubled the lead two minutes into the second-half. The match saw the full debut of Ethan Ross in the U's goal in the absence of suspended Dillon Barnes and the injured Rene Gilmartin. Colchester were still two points shy of seventh-placed Exeter with one game remaining.[117]

On 29 April, Frankie Kent was named as Colchester United Player of the Year at the club's annual awards ceremony.[118]

May

Knowing only a win would stand the club any chances of reaching the play-offs, the U's travelled to Champions Lincoln City on 4 May and comfortably won 3–0 with three first-half goals. Brennan Dickenson opened the scoring on 22 minutes, then Sammie Szmodics scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season in the 27th and 44th-minutes respectively. However, their attempts were in vain when Newport County equalised at Morecambe in the 87th-minute of their match to pip the U's to seventh place by a single point, spelling a fourth successive season in League Two for Colchester.[119]

Players

As of 30 March 2019[120][121]
More information No., Name ...

Transfers and contracts

In

More information Date, Position ...
  1. Officially joined the club on 1 July 2018

Out

More information Date, Position ...
  1. Officially left the club on 1 July 2018
  2. Following JJ Wilson's release by Colchester United, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Needham Market.[122]
  3. Following Denny Johnstone's release by Colchester United, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Greenock Morton.[123]
  4. Following Dominic Kurasik's release by Colchester United, he later joined Kidsgrove Athletic.[124]
  5. Following Josh Pollard's release by Colchester United, he later joined Coggeshall Town.[125]
  6. Following Callum Sturgess' release by Colchester United, he later joined Needham Market.[126]
  7. Following Doug Loft's release by Colchester United, he later joined Shrewsbury Town.[127]
  8. Following Tommy O'Sullivan's release by Colchester United, he later joined Hereford.[128]
  9. Following Craig Slater's release by Colchester United, he later joined Partick Thistle.[129]
  10. Following Tarryn Allarakhia's release by Colchester United, he later joined Crawley Town.[130]
  11. Following Charley Edge's release by Colchester United, he later joined Hednesford Town.[131]
  12. Following Eli Phipps' release by Colchester United, he later joined Weston-super-Mare.[132]

Loans in

More information Date, Position ...
  1. Officially joined the club on loan on 1 July 2018

Loans out

More information Date, Position ...

    Contracts

    New contracts and contract extensions.

    More information Date, Position ...

    Match details

    Preseason friendlies

    Colchester United announced their first pre-season friendly on 1 June, with Millwall visiting the Community Stadium on 24 July.[17] Away trips against Maldon & Tiptree, Braintree Town, and Colwyn Bay were confirmed on 8 June,[21] and a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge confirmed on 12 June.[22] It was announced on 22 June the U's would take on Dartford on 21 July.[24] A final pre-season friendly was arranged on 10 July for the visit of League One Gillingham for 28 July.[29]

    7 July 2018 (2018-07-07) Friendly Maldon & Tiptree 1–4 Colchester United Maldon
    13:00 BST Warde 30' Report Prosser 12'
    Szmodics 15'
    Collins 27' (pen.)
    Mandron 60'    		 Stadium: Wallace Binder Ground
    10 July 2018 (2018-07-10) Friendly Braintree Town 0–5 Colchester United Braintree
    19:45 BST Report Nouble 10'
    Mandron 51', 87'
    Szmodics 55'
    Ogedi-Uzokwe 71'    		 Stadium: Cressing Road
    13 July 2018 (2018-07-13) Friendly Colwyn Bay 0–5 Colchester United Old Colwyn
    19:00 BST Report Mandron
    Lapslie 20'
    Collins
    Nouble     		Stadium: Llanelian Road
    17 July 2018 (2018-07-17) Friendly Dagenham & Redbridge 1–1 Colchester United Dagenham
    19:30 BST Cheek 23' Report D Wright 84' Stadium: Victoria Road
    21 July 2018 (2018-07-21) Friendly Dartford 0–1 Colchester United Dartford
    15:00 BST Report Vint 81' (o.g.) Stadium: Princes Park
    24 July 2018 (2018-07-24) Friendly Colchester United 2–1 Millwall Colchester
    19:45 BST Szmodics 20'
    Vincent-Young 31'    		 Report Wallace 89' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    28 July 2018 (2018-07-28) Friendly Colchester United 5–1 Gillingham Colchester
    15:00 BST Szmodics 5'
    Collins 16'
    Mandron 30', 57'
    Eastman 62'    		 Report Parrett 45'
    Byrne Red card 39'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium

    League Two

    Main article: 2018–19 EFL League Two

    Results round by round

    More information Round, Ground ...
    Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2019. Source: cu-fc.com
    A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

    League table

    More information Pos, Pld ...
    Source: EFL Official Website
    Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results [149]
    (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
    Notes:
    1. Four teams play for one spot and promotion to EFL League One.

    Matches

    On 21 June 2018, the League Two fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.[150][151]

    4 August 2018 (2018-08-04) 1 Notts County 0–0 Colchester United Nottingham
    15:00 BST Report Stadium: Meadow Lane
    Attendance: 7,136
    Referee: Seb Stockbridge
    11 August 2018 (2018-08-11) 2 Colchester United 2–0 Port Vale Colchester
    15:00 BST Senior 8'
    Jackson 23'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,183
    Referee: Matt Donohue
    18 August 2018 (2018-08-18) 3 Mansfield Town 1–1 Colchester United Mansfield
    15:00 BST Davies 81' Report Szmodics 90+5' Stadium: Field Mill
    Attendance: 3,909
    Referee: Michael Salisbury
    21 August 2018 (2018-08-21) 4 Colchester United 6–0 Crewe Alexandra Colchester
    19:45 BST Kent 4'
    Dickenson 8', 26'
    Jackson 59'
    Norris 74'
    Lapslie 77'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 2,842
    Referee: Neil Hair
    25 August 2018 (2018-08-25) 5 Colchester United 1–2 Northampton Town Colchester
    15:00 BST Pierre 90+4' (o.g.) Report Crooks 48'
    Waters 90+1'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,791
    Referee: Alan Young
    1 September 2018 (2018-09-01) 6 Cheltenham Town 1–3 Colchester United Cheltenham
    15:00 BST Dawson 56' Report Norris 12' (pen.), 26'
    Pell 88' (pen.)    		 Stadium: Whaddon Road
    Attendance: 2,789
    Referee: Ollie Yates
    8 September 2018 (2018-09-08) 7 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Colchester United Birkenhead
    15:00 BST Norwood 42' Report Pell 61' Stadium: Prenton Park
    Referee: Robert Lewis
    15 September 2018 (2018-09-15) 8 Colchester United 3–0 Cambridge United Colchester
    15:00 BST Szmodics 23'
    Nouble 35'
    Senior 80'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 4,108
    Referee: Lee Swabey
    22 September 2018 (2018-09-22) 9 Oldham Athletic 3–3 Colchester United Oldham
    15:00 BST Surridge 59', 85'
    Clarke 88'    		 Report Norris 15', 68'
    Pell 50'    		 Stadium: Boundary Park
    Attendance: 4,017
    Referee: Anthony Backhouse
    29 September 2018 (2018-09-29) 10 Colchester United 1–2 Bury Colchester
    15:00 BST Norris 81' (pen.) Report Moore 35'
    Dagnall 52'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,161
    Referee: Thomas Bramall
    2 October 2018 (2018-10-02) 11 Colchester United 3–1 Yeovil Town Colchester
    19:45 BST Eastman 25'
    Nouble 59', 84'    		 Report James 90+5' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 2,435
    Referee: Craig Hicks
    6 October 2018 (2018-10-06) 12 Stevenage 3–1 Colchester United Stevenage
    15:00 BST Guthrie 41'
    Kennedy 82' (pen.)
    Sonupe 84'    		 Report Szmodics 2' Stadium: Broadhall Way
    Attendance: 2,763
    Referee: Nick Kinseley
    13 October 2018 (2018-10-13) 13 Colchester United 3–1 Crawley Town Colchester
    15:00 BST Szmodics 27'
    Nouble 57'
    Norris 90'    		 Report Morais 40' (pen.)
    N'Gala Red card 90+6'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,208
    Referee: Trevor Kettle
    20 October 2018 (2018-10-20) 14 Morecambe 0–1 Colchester United Morecambe
    15:00 BST Report Senior 45' Stadium: Globe Arena
    Attendance: 1,839
    Referee: Andy Haines
    23 October 2018 (2018-10-23) 15 Grimsby Town 1–0 Colchester United Cleethorpes
    19:45 BST Thomas 65' Report Stadium: Blundell Park
    Attendance: 3,662
    Referee: Graham Salisbury
    27 October 2018 (2018-10-27) 16 Colchester United 1–0 Lincoln City Colchester
    15:00 BST Kent 28' Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 4,962
    Referee: David Coote
    3 November 2018 (2018-11-03) 17 Colchester United 1–0 Swindon Town Colchester
    15:00 GMT Szmodics 45+5' Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,227
    Referee: Dean Whitestone
    17 November 2018 (2018-11-17) 18 Newport County 2–0 Colchester United Newport
    15:00 GMT Matt 54'
    Pring 67'    		 Report Stadium: Rodney Parade
    Attendance: 3,512
    Referee: Roger East
    24 November 2018 (2018-11-24) 19 Colchester United 1–1 Exeter City Colchester
    15:00 GMT Szmodics 67' Report Stockley 70' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,384
    Referee: Ben Toner
    27 November 2018 (2018-11-27) 20 Forest Green Rovers 0–1 Colchester United Nailsworth
    19:45 GMT Report Szmodics 25' Stadium: The New Lawn
    Attendance: 1,600
    Referee: Kevin Johnson
    8 December 2018 (2018-12-08) 21 Colchester United 1–0 Macclesfield Town Colchester
    15:00 GMT Mandron 29' Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,099
    Referee: Neil Hair
    15 December 2018 (2018-12-15) 22 Carlisle United 4–0 Colchester United Carlisle
    15:00 GMT Hope 33'
    Yates 51'
    Devitt 57'
    Grainer 90+5'    		 Report Stadium: Brunton Park
    Attendance: 3,547
    Referee: Eddie Ilderton
    22 December 2018 (2018-12-22) 23 Milton Keynes Dons 0–1 Colchester United Milton Keynes
    15:00 GMT Report Prosser 11' Stadium: Stadium MK
    Attendance: 7,765
    Referee: Chris Sarginson
    26 December 2018 (2018-12-26) 24 Colchester United 1–2 Stevenage Colchester
    15:00 GMT Prosser 83' Report Gilmartin 5' (o.g.)
    Newton 36'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 5,032
    Referee: Lee Collins
    29 December 2018 (2018-12-29) 25 Colchester United 0–0 Morecambe Colchester
    15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,653
    Referee: John Busby
    1 January 2019 (2019-01-01) 26 Crawley Town 2–0 Colchester United Crawley
    15:00 GMT McNerney Red card 32'
    Gambin 60', 90'    		 Report Kent Yellow card 49' Yellow-red card 89' Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
    Attendance: 2,765
    Referee: Andy Davies
    5 January 2019 (2019-01-05) 27 Colchester United 3–3 Notts County Colchester
    15:00 GMT Szmodics 8'
    Mandron 45+3'
    Pell 67' (pen.)    		 Report Stead 16'
    Jones 19'
    Dennis 32'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,181
    Referee: Charles Breakspear
    12 January 2019 (2019-01-12) 28 Port Vale 0–3 Colchester United Burslem
    15:00 GMT Report Senior 5'
    Pell 18', 69'    		 Stadium: Vale Park
    Attendance: 3,636
    Referee: Scott Oldham
    19 January 2019 (2019-01-19) 29 Colchester United 2–3 Mansfield Town Colchester
    15:00 GMT Eastman 14'
    Senior 30'    		 Report Ajose 51'
    Walker 64'
    Hamilton 79'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,546
    Referee: Brett Huxtable
    26 January 2019 (2019-01-26) 30 Crewe Alexandra 2–1 Colchester United Crewe
    15:00 GMT Kirk 48'
    Nolan 87'    		 Report Szmodics 11' Stadium: Gresty Road
    Attendance: 3,306
    Referee: Peter Wright
    2 February 2019 (2019-02-02) 31 Northampton Town 0–4 Colchester United Northampton
    15:00 GMT Report Nouble 25'
    Eisa 50'
    Vincent-Young 53'
    Szmodics 67'    		 Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
    Attendance: 4,796
    Referee: Ross Joyce
    9 February 2019 (2019-02-09) 32 Colchester United 3–0 Cheltenham Town Colchester
    15:00 GMT Vincent-Young 30'
    Nouble 43'
    Eisa 56'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,026
    Referee: Craig Hicks
    16 February 2019 (2019-02-16) 33 Macclesfield Town 1–1 Colchester United Macclesfield
    15:00 GMT Wilson 44' Report Nouble 47' (pen.) Stadium: Moss Rose
    Attendance: 2,092
    Referee: Andy Haines
    13 February 2019 (2019-02-13) 34 Colchester United 1–1 Carlisle United Colchester
    15:00 GMT Kent 84' Report Hope 57' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,626
    Referee: Trevor Kettle
    2 March 2019 (2019-03-02) 35 Swindon Town 3–0 Colchester United Swindon
    15:00 GMT Carroll 39'
    Woolfenden 41'
    Bennett 66'    		 Report Stadium: County Ground
    Attendance: 6,082
    Referee: Ollie Yates
    9 March 2019 (2019-03-09) 36 Colchester United 3–0 Newport County Colchester
    15:00 GMT Szmodics 20'
    Senior 45+2'
    Nouble 63'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,213
    Referee: Lee Collins
    12 March 2019 (2019-03-12) 37 Colchester United 0–3 Forest Green Rovers Colchester
    19:45 GMT Nouble Yellow card 36' Yellow-red card 85' Report Shephard 21'
    Brown 33'
    Doidge 81'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 2,871
    Referee: Alan Young
    16 March 2019 (2019-03-16) 38 Exeter City 3–0 Colchester United Exeter
    15:00 GMT Jay 45'
    Holmes 66'
    Law 76'    		 Report Stadium: St James Park
    Attendance: 3,951
    Referee: Scott Oldham
    23 March 2019 (2019-03-23) 39 Colchester United 0–2 Tranmere Rovers Colchester
    15:00 GMT Report Norwood 23'
    Perkins 46'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,800
    Referee: Ross Joyce
    30 March 2019 (2019-03-30) 40 Cambridge United 0–1 Colchester United Cambridge
    15:00 GMT Report Vincent-Young 90+6' Stadium: Abbey Stadium
    Attendance: 5,515
    Referee: Darren Drysdale
    6 April 2019 (2019-04-06) 41 Colchester United 0–2 Oldham Athletic Colchester
    15:00 BST Report Iacovitti 6'
    Lang 12'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,975
    Referee: Lee Swabey
    13 April 2019 (2019-04-13) 42 Bury 2–0 Colchester United Bury
    15:00 BST Telford 49', 66' Report Stadium: Gigg Lane
    Attendance: 3,898
    Referee: Andy Haines
    19 April 2019 (2019-04-19) 43 Colchester United 1–0 Grimsby Town Colchester
    15:00 BST Nouble 25' Report Collins Yellow card 90+3' Yellow-red card 90+5' Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 3,677
    Referee: Chris Sarginson
    22 April 2019 (2019-04-22) 44 Yeovil Town 1–1 Colchester United Yeovil
    15:00 BST Gray 53' Report Eastman 75'
    D. Barnes Red card 55'    		 Stadium: Huish Park
    Attendance: 3,370
    Referee: Peter Wright
    27 April 2019 (2019-04-27) 45 Colchester United 2–0 Milton Keynes Dons Colchester
    15:00 BST Szmodics 2'
    Kent 47'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 5,000
    Referee: Antony Coggins
    4 May 2019 (2019-05-04) 46 Lincoln City 0–3 Colchester United Lincoln
    15:00 BST Report Dickenson 22'
    Szmodics 27', 44'    		 Stadium: Sincil Bank
    Attendance: 9,832
    Referee: Trevor Kettle

    EFL Cup

    Main article: 2018–19 EFL Cup

    On 15 June 2018, the EFL Cup draw for the first round was made in Vietnam. Colchester were drawn away to Cheltenham Town.[23]

    14 August 2018 (2018-08-14) First round Cheltenham Town 2–2
    (6–5 p)    		 Colchester United Cheltenham
    19:45 BST Broom 1'
    Thomas 71' (pen.)    		 Report Szmodics 79'
    Norris 80'    		 Stadium: Whaddon Road
    Attendance: 1,179
    Referee: Chris Sarginson
    Penalties
    Thomas soccer ball with check mark
    Tozer soccer ball with check mark
    Smith soccer ball with red X
    Broom soccer ball with check mark
    Kalala soccer ball with check mark
    Mullins soccer ball with check mark
    Forster soccer ball with check mark    		 Norris soccer ball with red X
    Pell soccer ball with check mark
    Szmodics soccer ball with check mark
    Nouble soccer ball with check mark
    Kent soccer ball with check mark
    Dickenson soccer ball with check mark
    Senior soccer ball with red X

    EFL Trophy

    Main article: 2018–19 EFL Trophy

    On 13 July 2018, the draw for the first round of the EFL Trophy took place. Colchester were in Group B with Essex derby rivals Southend United and former U's manager Joe Dunne's Cambridge United.[33][152] Southampton under-21s were revealed as Colchester's final opponents on 18 July.[35]

    More information Pos, Lge ...
    Source: EFL.com
    4 September 2018 (2018-09-04) Group stage Colchester United 0–2 Southampton U21 Colchester
    19:45 BST Report Barnes 26'
    Obafemi 90+4'    		 Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 532
    9 October 2018 (2018-10-09) Group stage Colchester United 2–0 Southend United Colchester
    19:45 BST Kent 39'
    Collins 49'    		 Report Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
    Attendance: 1,516
    13 November 2018 (2018-11-13) Group stage Cambridge United 3–1 Colchester United Cambridge
    19:00 GMT Azeez 32', 81'
    Osadebe 90+3'    		 Report Pell 90+2' Stadium: Abbey Stadium
    Attendance: 598

    FA Cup

    Main article: 2018–19 FA Cup

    The first round draw was made live on BBC on 22 October.[66]

    10 November 2018 (2018-11-10) First round Accrington Stanley 1–0 Colchester United Accrington
    15:00 GMT Barlaser 34' Report Stadium: Crown Ground
    Attendance: 1,267
    Referee: Martin Coy

    Squad statistics

    Appearances and goals

    As of 4 May 2019[153]
    More information No., Pos ...

    Goalscorers

    More information Place, Number ...

    Disciplinary record

    More information Number, Nationality ...

    Player debuts

    Players making their first-team Colchester United debut in a fully competitive match.[154]

    More information Number, Position ...
    1. Second debut for the club.

    Honours and awards

    End-of-season awards

    More information Award, Player ...

    See also

    References

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