Lilywhites fail to live up to their name. This weekend was somewhat special, the opportunity to meet Mr Happy and his son Brightspurs (who currently leads the prediction league) and to see Colchester deservedly defeat Preston North End.

Mr Happy had kindly provided me with a top ticket in the East Stand which afforded a superb view plus finance for my half time refreshment and an autographed copy of a classic read (no not Mr H’s autobiography, which will have to wait for another day) but a thought provoking and inspiring book written by a true heroine, Jeanne Guyon.

The journey to Colchester (260 miles) was achieved in good time and after checking in to the Premier Inn, I dropped Mrs Durham in Colchester to do some shopping while I met up with Mr Happy and Brightspurs. Getting into the ground proved somewhat problematical and we managed to walk around two thirds of the ground before finding the correct turnstiles!

The weather was dry and the pitch resembled Clacton beach in parts. Now in fairness the weather in Colchester has been wet, frosty and cold and as a result in common with many pitches, it has taken its toll on the surface.

We were also promised a halftime mascot race and Eddie the Eagle was clearly favourite even though there was some doubt as to his fitness on the day!

JD had lined up a fairly attacking formation with:

Walker

Wilson, Magnus Thompson, White

Porter, Clifford, Wright (David)

Massey, Ibehre, Sears

Subs: Philips, Eastman, Bond, Bean, Drey Wright, Morrison, Compton

PNE with Westley at the helm always gives you a tough uncompromising line up and he didn’t disappoint. Now they have been dropping like a stone of late and they were set up to defend in numbers.

It was Sam Walker who was called into action first to steer a shot past the post but it was not long until the excellent George Porter was weaving his magic down the right wing. One particular move allowed him to beat two opponents and pull the ball back for Freddie Sears to hit a first time shot which was smartly saved by Stuckmann in the PNE goal. When Massey hit a thunderbolt which cannoned off the right hand upright the signs were good for Colchester. A PNE free kick on the edge of the penalty area took a wicked deflection and Walker did well to save the ball with two attackers in close attendance.

At half time I sampled a cheeseburger and white coffee. The cheeseburger was well packaged and contained a decent flavoured burger with cheese and a healthy portion of salad and mayo. Definitely, good value and quality. The coffee was hot and very welcome to keep the cold at bay.

Now either I missed the mascot race altogether or it was called off because I saw the mascots vanishing outside the ground and none seemed to be recovering from their exertions. If anyone can shed any light on what happened I would like to know!

Colchester started the second half on the attack and it was not long before the Porter, Sears, Ibehre formation provided dividends. Jabo Ibehre shot, the keeper parried and Freddie Sears scored from the six yard line after 55 minutes. Tom Eastman replaced Brian Wilson after 57 minutes after what seemed like an injury to the former "Beach boy" who was certainly well at home on the surface.

So a deserved lead and the only disappointment was that instead of pushing on and securing a second the U’s sat back a little and allowed PNE to enjoy their best spell of possession and football.

After Lee Holmes had rattled the bar, Colchester awoke from their slumbers and Porter crossed superbly but no one could profit from the cross. Jabo Ibehre had a shot saved Freddie Sears fired narrowly over. Sears was then held back crudely by the bandaged Bailey Wright on the half way line and Wright was duly booked by the referee.

Minutes later and Wright and Jabo Ibehre were involved in an off the ball incident. Now it appeared that Jabo was provoked and went up close to Wright who fell back theatrically. Play continued but the Assist ant referee flagged and after a discussion with Mr Haywood, Jabo was booked and Wright received a second yellow and a resultant red card.

There then followed a disgraceful scene with Wright refusing to leave the field of play and two defenders remonstrating with the officials. Eventually Wright departed and for the last 10 minutes PNE played with 10 men.

MOTM Porter was replaced by Jack Compton after 85 minutes and Billy Clifford was replaced on 90 minutes by Marcus Bean. The referee found almost 6 extra minutes but Colchester were not to be denied a much needed and important victory. Mention must be made of Jabo Ibehre excellent ability to hold the ball up when needed and particularly during that final period.

The attendance was only 3,215 but more performances like this and we must be able to regularly get 4,500 at least.

The pitch did not help our passing game but Clifford, Sears, Massey, Ibehre and Porter can all play well on the deck and will only enhance our chances to stay in the league with their link up play.

This was an important win because not only did it provide three important points but also it has dragged PNE and Shrewsbury (after their latest defeat) into the relegation mix. More importantly we now have 15 games to secure the 18 points required for survival. Our last game is at Carlisle who are not yet safe from the bottom four places. Better weather and consequently improved playing surfaces will suit our style of play and we should finish strongly to ensure survival.

Westley held his players back for thirty minutes after the final whistle, I suspect that just like the PNE style of play it was not a pretty affair. Lilywhites they ain’t!

Up the U's

Photo: Action Images

Colchester United Polls