We take a look at the big defender's debut.
The U’s stormed into an early lead on Saturday, when Brian Wilson's cut back was swept into the goal beyond Paul Jones after just five minutes by Freddie Sears.
Bradford City defender Matt Taylor made his Colchester debut on Saturday, despite having travelled down with Bradford for their game against Gillingham. A late call from the U's saw him drafted in and he impressed on his debut, as Andy Carmichael reports.
Bradford City defender Matt Taylor made his Colchester debut on Saturday, despite having travelled down with Bradford for their game against Gillingham. A late call from the U's saw him drafted in and he impressed on his debut, as Andy Carmichael reports.
Matt Taylor made his first real impression just a minute later clearing what looked to be a dangerous ball from Billy Clarke as Crawley looked to hit straight back at the U’s.
Taylor was showing his experience, heading away what also would’ve been a promising ball in, putting it out for a corner, and showing great calmness in the opening quarter of an hour.
He turned from defender to attacker with 25 minutes gone, as he headed a Paul Jones clearance straight into Jabo Ibehre’s path, whose pace and power took him past Walsh, before his cut back was spilled to Gilbey.
A series of poor clearances then lead to Sears running into free space and setting up Ibehre who could only find the crossbar.
Crawley were back on level terms later in the half, after Billy Clarke’s excellent cross field ball was taken under control by Mat Sadler who ran it all the way to the by line, before standing it up for Emile Sinclair who headed the ball down and into the corner of the net.
Andy Drury could have made it 2-1 to the visitor instantly, as his low shot cannoned off the inside of the post, before Clarke's follow up effort was cleverly cleared off the line by a diving Sam Walker.
In the opening half hour of his Colchester United debut, Matt Taylor showed his knowledge of the game, winning every header he challenged for, and stopping every cross that was asked of him by an impressive Crawley front line.
Taylor stopped a great chance for a goal, when the ball escaped everyone’s clutches, and it squirmed to an onrushing Billy Clarke who was eased aside by Taylor, alert to the danger.
The big centre half started the second half much like he ended the first, with great confidence and power, as he stopped low to head away a difficult ball in the box.
Taylor was once again alert to the danger, as Nicky Adams’ low cross was slid away by the central defender.
After a very quiet second half, where the U’s had to press for a lot of the time, the game ended all square, with Taylor impressing on his debut, as the U’s pick up another useful point.