Colchester United (A) Aug 21st Preview

Tuesday night’s away trip to Essex will see Michael Appleton’s side’s first ever visit to the 10,084 capacity Weston Homes Community Stadium. The history between the two sides is very limited having never even reached double figures in competitive matches against each other. The last time the two sides met ironically was on Tuesday the 21^st of August back in 2001 when Pompey lost 2-1 in the League Cup. You have to go all the way back to November 1980 to the find the next corresponding fixture which Colchester won 3-0 in the FA Cup. The two sides have only met four times in the league and all in the old Third Division with Colchester claiming two win’s to Pompey’s one and the remaining fixture having ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Managed by John Ward Colchester United’s highest ever league finish was back in the 2006 / 07 season when they secured 10^th place. Elected to the football league as late as 1950 Colchester played for the majority of their league life at the dilapidated Layer Road one of the only league grounds that manages to make Fratton Park look like a Wendy House in comparison. Their new ground which is interestingly owned by the local council was built of the unfortunately named Cuckoo Farm though I’m sure this bears no reflection on the local fans.

Looking through the squad there aren’t many names instantly recognisable. The most well known of the team is 33 year old forward Clinton Morrison better known for his goal scoring exploits for Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday. Latterly his career has stalled having been loaned out to MK Dons and Brentford before joining up with the The U’s. The other name on the squad sheet that may be best known to football fans is that of Freddie Spears, the forward who had come through the West Ham academy and was touted for great things a few years back before his career faltered through a series of loan moves before signing a three year contract with the Essex club. Aged just 22 Sears still has time on his side to fulfil his promise.

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton will be hoping that Liam Walker will have received international clearance before Tuesday’s match as he again only announced four substitutes in yesterdays 1-1 draw against south coast neighbours AFC Bournemouth. With Lee Williamson showing the lack of a pre-season behind him Walker will give Appleton a much needed selection headache and will see one more place to be filled on the substitutions bench though questions must remain as to why the likes of Sam Magri, Jed Wallace and Daniel Thompson weren’t included in the numbers in a game which saw the players legs start to tire drastically in the 70^th minute onwards.

Appleton’s men will be boosted by the opening 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of nearly 18,000 and will be determined to build upon the result as they take on a side which were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw in their opening game yesterday away to Preston North End with goal keeper Mark Cousins in fine form to keep the Lancashire side at bay for 90 minutes.