A single goal was enough to decide the difference between the U’s and Notts County at Meadow Lane in the final away game of the season.
The only goal of the game came in the second half courtesy of Macaulay Langstaff, converting via the underside of the crossbar.
Up next, the U’s take on Doncaster Rovers at the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Following Tuesday’s important win at home to Grimsby Town, the U’s made three changes to the starting eleven. Tom Dallison missed out through suspension, Ali Smith was absent with injury, while John Akinde was named amongst the substitutes.
Noah Chilvers, Riley Harbottle and Jayden Richardson came in to take their places, with the recalled Chay Cooper straight into the matchday eighteen alongside youngster Oscar Thorn; Fiacre Kelleher also made a welcome return to the bench.
The trio of changes saw the U’s line up in a 4-5-1 formation. The back four consisted of Jay Mingi, Connor Hall, Riley Harbottle and Ellis Iandolo, with Noah Chilvers and Arthur Read sitting as deeper midfielders. Cameron McGeehan was flanked in the ten position by the two Jaydens, Richardson and Fevrier, while Tom Hopper was the lone striker.
Colchester United almost made the perfect start to proceedings, with Ellis Iandolo striking the woodwork inside the opening five minutes. The defender saw Ashby-Hammond off his line and took aim from distance, with the ‘keeper scrambling and fumbling the ball against the bar.
And Iandolo had to be alert at the other end of the pitch, coming up with a vital challenge on Langstaff as the striker looked to pull the trigger. A neat ball through from Jones saw the forward closing in on goal, but an outstretched leg from Ellis took away the chance, with the hosts winning a corner.
The hosts had started to create chances of their own after their early scare and went close again through League Two Player of the Season, Jodi Jones. A cross from the far side wasn’t dealt with as Jones struck a volley that clipped the top of the crossbar on its way out for a goal kick.
Danny Cowley’s side were the team hoping half time would come sooner rather than later with the home side on top, but the U’s had their own chance before the break.
Jayden Richardson lofted a ball in for Cameron McGeehan, but the Northern Irishman could only guide it into the arms of Ashby-Hammond. It was goalless at half time.
The U’s started the brighter of the two after the break, with Arthur Read battling to win the ball high up the pitch. He applied the pressure to force the mistake, but McGeehan wasn’t accurate enough with the effort as the ball sailed into the crowd.
But it was the hosts who would get their noses in front. Dan Crowley made the forward run to pick out Sam Austin. His low cross wasn’t dealt with and turned in by Macaulay Langstaff via the underside of the bar ten minutes after the restart.
The U’s responded with a change in attack. Tom Hopper was replaced by John Akinde with just under half an hour to play. A further change followed, with Jayden Richardson brought off for Conor Wilkinson.
Notts County’s goalscorer was replaced with twenty minutes to go, with Cedwyn Scott coming on in his place.
The hosts made the next change with O’Brien off for McGoldrick as Hornby pulled off a good save to keep the deficit to one from Jones’ effort.
Try as they might, the U’s couldn’t find an all-important equaliser.
Up next the U’s host Doncaster Rovers at the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Notts County starting XI: Ashby-Hammond, Cameron, O’Brien (McGoldrick 83’), Crowley, Austin, Langstaff (Scott 71’), Jones, Nemane, Baldwin, Robertson, Macari.
Subs: Slocombe, Mahovo, Brindley, Randall, Colkett, McGoldrick, Scott.
Colchester United starting XI: Hornby, Iandolo, Hall, Chilvers, McGeehan, Hopper (Akinde , Read, ‘)Mingi, Harbottle, Richardson, Fevrier.
Subs: Goodman, Kelleher, Wilkinson, Akinde, Cooper, Thorn, Ihionvien.
Attendance: 11,037 (756)
