Colchester United

The former Watford and Burnley front man grabbed his first Colchester goal in the win at Sheffield United, but Saturday's game v Gillingham was the first time that home supporters had a chance to see their new striker.

George Haberman takes a look at the striker's home debut.

2 mins: Marvin Sordell gets his first sight of goal after a looping header from Owen Garvan falls into the striker’s path but his volley from the edge of the box goes just over the bar. 

4 mins: GOAL COLCHESTER! Gavin Massey is slipped through by Callum Harriott and perfectly curls a low shot around Stuart Nelson. Sordell’s run created all the space for Massey and drew the defenders away from him. 1-0 Colchester.

8 mins: GOAL GILLINGHAM! Luke Norris scores a close range effort for the visitors. 1-1.

13 mins: Marvin wins the header and flicks the ball on for George Moncur who is narrowly beaten to the ball by John Egan. 

15 mins: Sordell is again the target man but this time it's for an Owen Garvan cross, good contact was made with the header but it was deflected away and cleared.

19 mins: Marvin and Callum Harriott link up well down the right hand side. Sordell’s knock on is straight into the path of Harriott who is tackled on the edge of the box moments before he could get a shot away. 

21 mins: Marvin Sordell again wins his jostle with John Egan and has the awareness to hold the ball up and wait for George Moncur and Gavin Massey to join the attack. Sordell threads the ball through to Moncur who then feeds Massey but he is fouled on the edge of the box. 

25 mins: Marvin Sordell again holds the ball up and patiently waits to play the right pass. He opts to supply Gavin Massey whose shot is spilt by Stuart Nelson but gathered at the second attempt.

28 mins: GOAL COLCHESTER! Marvin Sordell shows he has some tricks in his locker and beats his man but is fouled. The resulting free kick is played to Matthew Briggs who combines with George Moncur and the ball kindly drops to Callum Harriott who unleashes an unstoppable bullet like shot across the keeper into the far corner. 2-1 Colchester.

33 mins: Frankie Kent accidentally handles the ball in the box although it appeared there was nothing the youngster could do about it. Cody McDonald takes the resulting penalty but for the second time is as many games Jamie Jones saves from the spot! 

35 mins: Again Marvin holds the ball up very well and plays a wide ball to Kane Vincent Young who is fouled just on the edge of the box. 

42 mins: It’s the story of the first half, Marvin out strengths both John Egan and Ryan Jackson and then plays a classy ball to Gavin Massey whose cross bounces just wide of the far post. 

45 + 3mins: Unbelievably Marvin Sordell manages to out strength three men at once as he is tripled teamed on the right hand side. His efforts are rewarded with a throw in deep in the opposition half.

First Half Analysis
A very good half for Marvin Sordell sees the U’s 2-1 up. Sordell constantly beat his man in battles of strength, pace and power. Although Sordell hasn’t scored himself he has directly contributed to both goals; creating the space for the first goal and winning the free kick that led to the second.  A very positive first half that the home fans will have enjoyed a lot. 

47 mins: After Callum Harriott wins the ball on the edge of his own box, Marvin sprints the whole length of the pitch to join the attack and help his teammate. Although Harriott’s ball can’t quite pick him out, Sordell showed great willingness and desire to get into the box and attack. 

52 mins: Marvin makes stepovers look effortless as he beats Ryan Jackson twice in a matter of seconds before whipping a low cross into the box which is cleared. 

55 mins: Marvin Sordell again shows great willingness to close down and chase lose balls, this time causing an unforced error from Bradley Garmston and earning the U’s a throw deep in the Gillingham half. 

58 mins: Marvin produces a huge leap to win a flick on which again perfectly falls into Callum Harriott’s path however the resulting cross is caught by Stuart Nelson. The partnership between Sordell and Harriott is looking very strong.

61 mins: For the second time this half, Marvin charges down Bradley Garmston who has no other option but to put the ball out of play for a Colchester United throw in.

65 mins: This time its Callum who supplies Marvin on the edge of the box, Sordell spins and gets away from his man but his shot is deflected behind for a corner.

67 mins: Marvin beats Max Ehmer for pace as a long ball is played over the top. Ehmer has no other option but to bring the United man down and a free kick to Colchester is awarded in a dangerous position. 

75 mins: Marvin wins a knock on which Harriott latches onto and runs at the Gillingham defence however his shot doesn’t trouble Stuart Nelson.  

82 mins: Frankie Kent finds himself on the right wing after a corner and produces a near perfect cross which is almost met with an acrobatic Marvin Sordell diving header. 

FULL TIME: Colchester United 2-1 Gillingham F.C

Very similar to the first half, Marvin showed a mixture of flair and talent as well as his determination and willingness to do the nitty gritty bits of football when needed.  His link up play with both Harriott and Massey is outstanding and is looks as if he has already been a part of this team for a long time.

A home debut to be proud of for Marvin! He was unlucky not to get on the score sheet himself but his roles in both goals did not go unnoticed. Marvin showed the home crowd that he’s the real deal with a great display and combination of tricks, brute force and desire meaning he was constantly a threat to the Gillingham goal. His link up play with Callum Harriott was phenomenal throughout the game and it is clear that their time at Charlton Athletic has made them a deadly duo when attacking.