Well I went to the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Saturday to watch the Champions elect and guess what they came from Yorkshire!

Unusually despite my 2-1 prediction to the U's, when arriving in the morning to pick up my tickets from the club shop I felt an air of inevitability about the scoreline. Not even the purchase of a keenly priced U's away shirt could persuade me otherwise.

So back into Town to check out the U's Central, well appointed, statuesque, very pleasing to the eye, but enough about the female shop assistant. So off to the station and by this time the temperature was building nicely. The buses were very efficient and seemingly every one was filled to the brim with LUFC supporters.

So into the stadium after avoiding Mark Clemmet who was surrounded by Eddie the Eagle, a trumpeter playing a nice rendition of the post horn gallop and some LUFC fans determined to get in on the action. That’s actually not quite true because I wanted to speak to him but my eldest son obviously embarrassed persuaded me otherwise.

So the weather was set fair, the stadium looked resplendent and more importantly the pitch resembled a snooker table. The first thing to notice was the empty spaces particularly at the Leeds ends (N1 and E3). Although these filled in towards kick off, the attendance was 1,200 short of a capacity crowd, why?

Leeds bossed the early stages and rightly had two "goals" disallowed for offside (I was well positioned in W3 to see both decisions!) but the warning signs were there. Beckford showed why he is so important to Leeds’s cause and it will be interesting to see whether a late bid comes in for him before Tuesday evening. What was significant after he scored what turned out to be the winner was his simple acknowledgment towards Grayson the manager.

Despite all the hype about Leeds strike force their man of the match was without doubt Patrick Kisnorbo (we definitely signed the wrong Antipodean when Coyne came on board) who never missed anything all afternoon.

What was excruciatingly frustrating however was the behaviour of Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio. Snodgrass was irritating throughout with constant niggling fouls and complaints; Becchio was the archetypal simulator, what a really good player he would be without all the associated nonsense.

David Fox hit a very good low drive which Higgs did well to turn away from goal and parity was achieved at half time.

Some spectators, still enjoying the hospitality would have missed the first goal. I am still unsure as to what the Referee awarded the free kick for but the U's were caught napping and Johnson had the simplest of headers at the far post.

The U's reacted well to this set back and played some neat approach play. Super Kevin Lisbie deservedly won the penalty to draw the U's level and scored with aplomb. Now at this stage I could only see one winner and my 2-1 U's prediction was looking good. Leeds supporters had fallen silent for probably the only time in the game. Disaster struck however, Maybury who I think was not match fit only managed to present a chance to the predatory Beckford which he duly converted.

The U's were once again chasing the game. Joe Dunne who was enthusiastic from the touchline made an obvious replacement with Platt for Vernon. I can't help thinking how much we missed the early season partnership of Platt and Lisbie, particularly at MK Dons. Platt however was well marshalled and was unable to have much influence late on. Vincent was next to go, foolishly he managed to get himself booked when arguing with the Assistant Referee and although Dunne very wisely spoke to him afterwards his replacement was inevitable with about 15 minutes to go.

The odious Snodgrass departed to a cacophony of boos replaced by Prutton who was greeted by the cry of "You're not Jesus anymore” from the Leeds faithful, a reference to his recent shedding of his long locks of hair. Now David Perkins arrived on the scene after his much publicised "want away" statement. Clearly he must be distracted because his touch was poor and his shooting was reduced to the Kem Izzet level.

David Fox was replaced by Wordworth and that was the last throw of the dice. I would perhaps have liked to see Joel "Thierry" Thomas for the last ten minutes, especially as Leeds decided to shut up shop and their attempts at time wasting almost cost them a second equaliser, with the excellent Lisbie denied a possible second penalty.

The diving Becchio departed just before full time replaced by Showunmi and despite plenty of endeavour the U's couldn't fashion another goal. Much solace can be taken from the fact that Colchester had just lost to the future Champions of league one this season and that they were in no way disgraced. Beckford and Kisnorbo remained the difference between the teams.

It would be remiss of me not to comment on two players. For Colchester Magnus Okuonghae is quickly becoming a crowd favourite, I think he will be a real force in League 1 this year. Simon Hackney tries hard and displays considerable skill, the final ball is sometimes disappointing however.

Although we had lost the crowd reaction was remarkably positive, people perhaps accepted that this would be Leeds year.

Whilst waiting in the queue for the return bus journey to Colchester North Station we were royally entertained by a lunatic who was raging on his mobile telephone about the size of the queue among other things, he eventually stormed off not to be seen or heard from again.

The only transport gripe was back at the station. The queue took some 35 minutes to clear and was hindered by Network Rail vehicles seemingly constantly driving up and down for no apparent reason ably supported by the low loaders and mechanical plant near the station exit which reduced the flow to a single lane and caused some tempers to flare.

The journey back to Durham up the A1 was uneventful except for a turgid stop at Cambridge services for refreshment where of course Leeds, Tottenham, Ipswich supporters had congregated.

Biggest disappointment, the feeling that Lambo's departure could not have come at a worse time for the club. The loss of Jackson and Hammond has only compounded this fact. The new manager is being selected and seems likely to be announced tomorrow. My choice of Alan Curbishley seems not to be in the frame and money is on either Aidy Boothroyd or the promising Paul Buckle.

Whoever is chosen the need for stability is paramount. A difficult game awaits at St Mary's and we quickly need to get back to winning ways. Loan signings will be critical.

I trust the Board makes a wise decision.

Photo: Action Images

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