Match Report: Colchester United 0 Exeter City 0

Exeter City were held to a 0-0 draw by Colchester United at the Jobserve Community Stadium.

Chances at either end of the pitch weren't enough to break the deadlock for either side in Essex, however the Grecians remain unbeaten in four for all competitions.

Matt Taylor fielded an unchanged starting lineup from the previous two wins against Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town. Goalscorer from the previous week’s encounter at Shrewsbury Town, Sonny Cox would begin on the bench alongside the returning Reece Cole following a brief absence through injury.

First Half

Colchester United fancied their chances from a set piece opportunity inside the opening five minutes. Moses Sesay crossed deep into the City box where Jack Taylor rose to head the ball behind for a corner; fortunately for the Grecians though, the hosts squandered the chance from the corner flag, and the ball was headed behind for a goal kick.

The 12^th minute saw City captain Jack Fitzwater stride forward to head away a through-ball from the U’s that found Taylor Perry on the edge of the Colchester penalty area. The number eight picked out Josh Gordon to his right who made a run to the byline before crossing, however Lo-Tutala won the race for the ball, and the attack was halted.

A sharp counterattack from the U’s after this chance saw Bradley Ihionvien put the ball in the back of the net following a cross from the right wing, however the linesman’s raised flag soon quelled the celebrations amongst the Colchester United faithful.

With the half-hour mark approaching and after the Grecians had begun to look more comfortable, Jake Doyle Hayes was brought to ground after battling for the ball with Beryly Lubala. After both teams seemed to have waited for a referee’s whistle that never came, Sesay picked the vacant ball up in a promising area and shot, however it was a simple stop for Jack Bycroft in the City net.

As City looked determined to find a breakthrough, Gordon found himself in a dangerous position on the byline once more. The striker crossed low and found Charlie Cummins just inside the penalty area whose shot took a heavy deflection and bobbled straight into the gloves of Thimothee Lo-Tutala much to the relief of the onlooking home fans.

Despite the continued chances for Matt Taylor’s men, the hosts remained resilient and still possessed a threat in a counterattack. Having worked the ball towards the City goal, Oscar Thorn was picked up on the edge of the penalty area and shot to force a corner for his side. Fortunately, though, this proved to be another chance squandered by Danny Cowley’s side.

With just the single additional minute to play after the opening 45, the referee’s whistle brought an end to a half of football that saw both teams enjoy chances at their respective ends of the pitch. 

Second Half

City’s first attack of the second half saw Anthony Scully pick out Perry inside the Colchester penalty area, where the midfielder drifted goalwards and forced Lo-Tutala into evasive action, awarding the Grecians a corner. Despite not capitalising on the set piece opportunity, it was a statement of intent nonetheless.

A corner for the home side ten minutes into the half saw the best chance of the game yet. A punch from Jack Bycroft initially sent the ball away from the danger, though a follow-up forced the City shot stopper to repeat the action, before a third ball into the area deflected off the crossbar and allowed Fitzwater to clear up field.

There was no let-up from Colchester for the next few minutes, and Bycroft was once more put the test with a low driven shot at his near post. 

With little under half an hour left, and as Cowley’s side began to grow more confident, the Grecians made their first changes of the game with Sonny Cox, Reece Cole and Ethan Sutherland all introduced.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes, the Grecians missed out in the midfield and the U’s countered effectively. Sesay charged goalwards until he found a preferrable shooting position, yet thankfully Jack Taylor arrived on the scene at the perfect time to block the attempt and allow the Grecians to recuperate.

With neither team able to break down the opposing defensive lines, the final whistle brought an end to the game with the scoreline remaining in stalemate. City now look ahead to a double game week beginning with Crewe Alexandra at St James Park.

Up Next

Exeter City return to St James Park on Tuesday night to face Crewe Alexandra in more Sky Bet League Two action.