Colchester United manager Danny Cowley was delighted with his side’s performance in their 6-2 demolition of Chesterfield yesterday, as reported by The Gazette.
The U’s had gone seven league matches without a win prior to Chesterfield’s visit.
Early Goal Crucial
Colchester United had not tasted victory on home soil in their previous five outings and had developed an unwanted habit of conceding the first goal, forcing them to play catch-up. Cowley was delighted it was his side who struck first yesterday.
“We’ve actually played really well here at home on a number of occasions this season, but we haven’t been ruthless and clinical enough, and then let the opponents score, and the game becomes so much harder when you go a goal down.”“But today, we went ahead early, and that gave us a really good place in the game.”
He was also pleased with the way his side created the opener for Harry Anderson and the effect it had on the opponents.
“It was a brilliant move for the first goal, a great cross by Kyreece, and fantastic timing and arrival from Harry, and that gave us a really good place in the game.”“Once you get the first goal, the opposition has to come out.”
Cowley Pleased For Important Payne
Jack Payne stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, and his manager was thrilled for a player who had 20 goal involvements in all competitions last season but has struggled for fitness this term after a pre-season injury.
“I’m pleased for Jack because it’s not been an easy start to the season for him. He picked up an injury in pre-season and he’s a boy who’s not used to being injured.”
Aside from Payne, Cowley reserved praise for a player he knows well, Harry Anderson. The former Lincoln City winger opened and closed the scoring with strikes after five minutes and 96 minutes.
“I’m the first to moan at Harry, so I’ll be the first to praise him as well. I know there were some good performances, but I thought he was our best player today.”
No Getting Carried Away
After securing just their second win of the season, the manager won’t be getting carried away despite the impressive nature of the victory.
“But the boys will have to do that consistently and on a much more regular basis for me to get carried away, because this is just one performance.”
Writer’s View
Few would have expected this scoreline, and it is vital for Colchester that they use it to start a consistent run of results. In the likes of Payne, the U’s have players capable of controlling matches and putting a run of wins together.
