Game Eighteen - Colchester away

30th September 2008

Could we really do the unthinkable? Four wins in a row away from home? Who would have thought we could be on a run like that after the disappointment at the end of last season. This was the game in hand that if won could put us nicely on top of the league and top off a brilliant start to the season.

So after an early start to work and a lunchtime exit, it was off to the walkers stadium to hop on board the fox travel coaches - guarenteed to beat the Tommy Mobile on a trip to Hartlepool but how would it fair against Andy's motor?

It was in fairness, a pretty dull trip with the only real events being the powercut and fire alarm at the services. Oh that and getting lost in Colchester. This was the first trip to their new "arena" and boy did the coach driver make sure he showed us the sights as he turned this way and that as we explored the area. Finally we arrived at the ground which simply appeared to be in the middle of a field.... flatpack B&Q DIY ground seems the best way of describing it.

Made our way inside and after a quick chat with Jodie, I was longing for Layer Road. Yes it may have been a bit of a dive but the terracing made for some great banter with the locals and it was a real traditional football ground. This one ..... well..... it was our first trip but it felt like we'd been there a thousand times before.

I then headed off to find Helen and wait for Fez to arrive with the flag. We got up close with the shooting practice too - almost a little TOO close in one case! In fact with 5 minutes to kick off, we were still hanging around trying to find where everyone was as none of the usual suspects seemed to have arrived. We took our seats and waited for kick off... and then as soon as we realised we actually did have to sit because of the old folk behind, we quickly rushed off to another part and ironically found ourselves standing in front of Andy, Tommeh, Joe and Ben Howard.

The colchester kop was packed the rafters.... give or take a few thousand. In fact it resembled a singles night at a local pub as random people were sat on their own throughout the stand.
The first half was not one to live long in the memory... in fact 6 days on and I cannot recall a single moment of it. Erm... there was a kick off.... a few throw ins.... maybe a goal kick or two?

The second half though was a lot more lively and straight from the off we put pressure on the home defence with a couple of corners. We just needed that break through goal....

... and step forward that man known as Lloyd! The legend that is Lloyd Dyer (My Lord) collected the ball just inside the Colchester half, raced down the wing, shaped to shoot and then unleashed a rocket of an effort across the keeper and into the back of the net. Completely unexpected and queued the celebrations of the travelling masses. In one fans case, it prompted them to strip down and dance like an idiot - it must be that league one magic taking effect once more.

From then on it turned into quite a lively game with Fryatt and Howard missing chances and started the great Syston_Fox v LD3 challenge of who is the better striker. Whilst Fryatt missed the better chance, at least his effort went on target and didnt result in a throw in for the opposition.

As the game wore on, Colchester started to get back into it and a couple of long range efforts came close to getting the equaliser and a brilliant Mark Yeates free kick came back off the post. Living dangerously but edging closer to the final whistle and that position at the top of the league. That free kick proved to be the closest either side would come to a goal and the end of the game was greeted by cries of "We are top of the league" and "EIEIEIO!" And we slowly made our way back outside and onto the coaches as the final stragglers hugged each other in celebration.
Another uneventful journey home that sadly lacked in sleep left me stupidly tired and was desperate to get home to bed ready for the early start at work the next day. Annoyingly thanks to Dexter's Desertion, I had to make my way from the walkers into town to get a taxi home - extending my journey by about another 30 minutes. Not a happy boy! It did give me the opportunity to walk through a deserted city centre taking pictures though - as you do at 1am in the morning! It is actually a very strange experience to walk through an area that is normally so busy and not see anyone at all. Deathly silence apart from the hum of the lights and the gentle sound of the rain... hmmm.... how manly I am!

A quick journey home thanks to a legend of a taxi driver and I was back home ready for 5 hours sleep before work. Happy days!

So that was Colchester - my memory is hazy on that one after a busy week but the important things to take from it are:
- we are top of the league
- three away wins on the spin
- four away wins on the spin in all competitions
- Lloyd Dyer is our new leader (well... him and Ex England International Chris Powell - give that man his 6th cap now!)

See you in Huddersfield!