Five talking points from Colchester United's 0-0 draw with Stevenage

A frustrating afternoon

COLCHESTER United’s players could be forgiven for thinking that their frustrating 0-0 draw at Stevenage felt more like a defeat.

After all, they dominated after playing against ten men for more than an hour at the Lamex Stadium.

They peppered the Boro goal but a combination of wasteful finishing and some never-say-die defending, epitomised by Stevenage keeper Paul Farman, ultimately prevented them from finding the net.

John McGreal admitted his side lacked a clinical edge but stopped short of saying the draw felt more like a defeat.

“I’m always more glass half full,” said the U’s boss, who nonetheless must be disappointed his side did not claim victory given their dominance and chances.

The right decision

LUKE Gambin’s every touch was booed by Stevenage fans following the incident that led to Tom Soares being shown a straight red card.

The Colchester United playmaker must have wondered what he had done to deserve such treatment, given the fact that he was very much the victim of an over-zealous challenge.

Stevenage boss Graham Westley felt the decision to send Soares off was ‘very harsh’ but on first viewing, it looked like the right decision by referee Ollie Yates.

Ruining the script

ONLY a magnificent save by Stevenage’s outstanding goalkeeper Paul Farman denied Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe a fairytale comeback performance for Colchester United.

The script was all written when the former Maldon and Tiptree striker entered the fray as a replacement for Callum Harriott with five minutes remaining, at the Lamex.

As he rose to meet Harry Pell’s cross at the far post, the stage looked set for Ogedi-Uzokwe to mark his first U’s appearance for nearly a year with a dramatic late winning goal.

Sadly for Colchester, keeper Farman did what he had been doing all afternoon – he pulled off a great save to deny the U’s what would have been a memorable finale.

A means to an end

JEVANI Brown has been out of the picture for some time, at Colchester United.

So few would begrudge wanting to go out and get some much-needed game time, which he has already done at Forest Green Rovers.

Brown has found his opportunities limited at the U’s since joining them from Cambridge United, last summer.

Some Colchester supporters have questioned whether it is wise to have allowed the attacker to leave and join one of their League Two promotion rivals on loan.

But if Brown’s exit paves the way for Colchester to make a signing of their own who can come in and make an impact in the second half of the season, that will quickly be forgotten.

Paying their respects

COLCHESTER United’s wore black armbands during their game at Stevenage in memory of the club’s former left-back Chris Barker, who tragically died this week.

Barker, who very sadly passed away at the age of 39, was a superb performer for the U’s during their memorable first-ever year in the Championship in the 2006-07 season.

He was the picture of consistency during his loan spell from Cardiff City and played his part in Colchester achieving their highest-ever finish that year, under Geraint Williams.

He was regarded highly and will be dearly missed by many.