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Day of reckoning at the WHCS on Saturday evening - Up the U's 14:14 - May 5 with 1792 viewsdurham_exile

JM and SB are preparing their charges for the 46th game of the League Season. Now of course there may be another three games to come, potentially ending in glory at Wembley on 28th May, but let us for now focus on the requirement to defeat the Glovers on Saturday evening. The 5.30pm kick off means that we will not know our fate until about 7.15pm.

Darren Way’s Yeovil Town of course would like to be the party spoilers and with our considerable history of final game dramas (May 2006 takes some beating) JM knows that the U’s must be fully focussed to achieve the three points that will give them a fighting chance of the play-offs.

Sadly, the matter is not in our own hands. Not only do Colchester have to win, but also three of Carlisle, Blackpool, Stevenage and Cambridge must FAIL to win.

The other final day League Two fixtures that count are as follows;

Blackpool v Orient — Blackpool sit firmly in the box seat with 67 points and a plus 21 goal difference. Can Leyton Orient and their depleted supporters (the EFL has agreed to Blackpool’s request to limit the away ticket allocation to 1000 die hard Orient supporters) manage an almost impossible result and win or draw at Bloomfield Road. I suppose it comes down to who their supporters believe is the most loathsome, Oyston or Becchetti. Can Orient end their League status in some style and give something back to their long-suffering supporters.

Exeter v Carlisle — This really is the “game of death”. Now, after the EFL have launched an investigation into Huddersfield Town’s 10 changes for last weekend’s game at Birmingham (in the knowledge that they already had secured a play-off berth) will the Grecians risk saving their “stars” and play a weakened team against the Cumbrians, for whom Jabo Ibehre is on fire at present or will they attempt to ensure some psychological influence over their opponents and send them back to Carlisle pointless and possibly knocking them out of the play-off running to boot . It will be a fascinating game at St James’ Park. Exeter are of course already assured of a play-off place and cannot be unseated from their 5th place finish.

Stevenage v Accrington — Last season Accrington Stanley lost their opportunity to be promoted automatically on the last day and then lost in the play-offs. They have achieved mid table mediocrity this season, whilst achieving the double over Colchester; the game at the Crown Ground was probably our worst first half performance of any game this season. Will Accrington really want to lose to another rival on the last day or will they try to spoil the Stevenage party or will they be in flip flop mode. Stevenage after their magnificent run of games have well and truly gone off the boil. They cannot afford to slip up on Saturday and will be under some considerable pressure to secure the three points, which will probably confirm their play-off position, providing other results go their way.

Wycombe v Cambridge — The Chairboys were odds on for a play-off position several weeks ago and then embarked upon self-destruction with a shocking run of defeats, which almost put them out of contention. Their goal difference (+4) means that even a victory on Saturday is unlikely to see them into the 7th position, but can Cambridge with their 10 away victories and marginal better GD than Colchester secure a crucial victory. Certainly, a draw is no good for either side and should lead to a classic encounter.

It is clear that the fixture computer has not let anyone down with such key last day fixtures, that will determine the 6th and 7th place finishes in League Two this season.

The table currently stands thus:

Plymouth 45 +25 86 Promoted
Doncaster 45 +31 85 Promoted
Pompey 45 +34 84 Promoted

Luton 45 +25 74 Play-offs
Exeter 45 +20 71 Play-offs

Carlisle 45 0 68
Blackpool 45 +21 67

Stevenage 45 +7 67
Cambridge 45 +9 66
COLCHESTER 45 +8 66
Wycombe 45 +4 66
Mansfield 45 +4 65

Colchester managed to pick up two further injuries prior to last weekend’s game; Brennan Dickenson and Cameron James. Dickenson of course deservedly scooped the top two awards this week as Colchester United’s Official POTY and the Player’s POTY.

Sadly, our unprecedented injury crisis cost the club an automatic promotion berth and that makes the achievement of the remaining players to be battling for 7th place on the final day all the more remarkable.

Kurtis Guthrie, Sammy Szmodics, Craig Slater, Frankie Kent, Denny Johnstone and Luke Prosser remain long term absentees and their returns next season will make it almost seem like a whole new team has been procured.

JM will ponder whether Cameron James will be fit enough to play against Yeovil. If so then Alex Wynter will give way. Should he not make it then I would imagine that an almost unchanged starting line-up will be announced on Saturday. The one other place potentially up for grabs is a second out and out striker, given that not only is the win required but also the need to better Cambridge’s scoreline (assuming they win at Wycombe of course). That would mean Macca Bonne getting the nod after his fine goal against the Orient. JM must decide and choose wisely.

Team

Walker

Eastman Wynter Elokobi

Brindley Lapslie Murray Briggs

Wright Porter Fosu

Subs:

Brill Vincent-Young Kinsella Loft O’Sullivan Bonne Pyke

A decent crowd is expected, probably 6,000+ with only 200 or so from Somerset.

Weather set fair, pitch immaculate, three points to cap a superb home season with potentially 14 wins, what is not to like.

Let us hope that the U’s can secure that final play-off spot on Saturday evening; after all we have had four successive years of struggle with last gasp escapes, it would be great to secure an opportunity to return to league one at the first attempt and to play Luton Town, a team that we have done the double over this season in the semi-finals.

Enjoy the game.

Up the promotion chasing U’s




Durham_exile

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Day of reckoning at the WHCS on Saturday evening - Up the U's on 22:09 - May 6 with 575 viewsBFG

There's momentum for the first time in a while.
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Day of reckoning at the WHCS on Saturday evening - Up the U's on 23:46 - May 6 with 551 viewsoxfcolu

What a day how can you be happy and gutted at the same time. Roll on August, plenty to look forward too.
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Day of reckoning at the WHCS on Saturday evening - Up the U's on 09:34 - May 7 with 515 viewsburnsieespana

Some silly lost points cost us but considering the injuries JM and the boys done well.
Hopefully we can retain who we want and any chance of signing Foss?
Let's be upbeat and get next season off to a great start.
Up the U's.
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