Colchester United secured their EFL status in emphatic style with a resounding 4-1 victory over Sutton United at the JobServe Community Stadium.
It looked like it might be a tough afternoon for the U’s when the visitors took the lead ten minutes into the match with Ajiboye on target.
But quick-fire goals from Luke Chambers and John Akinde turned the game on its head to give the U’s the advantage after half an hour. Junior Tchamadeu added to the tally with five minutes of the first half to play, and Chilvers added to the tally for a comfortable win at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Ben Garner made just one change from the side that started against Crawley Town on Tuesday evening, with Samson Tovide coming in for Freddie Sears in attack.
There were two changes on the bench however, with Connor Wood also missing from the matchday eighteen; Alex Newby returned with Tom Dallison’s first appearance in the eighteen since his injury against Salford City in January.
The U’s went into the match knowing a win would guarantee their EFL status for the 2023/24 season; any other result and they would need a helping hand from the game in the North-East between Hartlepool and Crawley.
And Colchester made a poor start at the JobServe Community Stadium, finding themselves behind to Sutton within the opening ten minutes. David Ajoboye was on hand at the back post to convert after Tom Smith’s low palm from Bugiel’s shot.
But the U’s weren’t behind for long when Luke Chambers bagged his first of the campaign with an important goal in front of the South Stand. Arthur Read’s corner was flicked on at the near post, landing kindly for Luke Chambers at the back stick to convert, levelling the scores after twenty minutes.
Seven minutes later, the U’s would have their noses in front for the first time in the game. John Akinde was the man on target with his seventh of the campaign; Connor Hall’s cross was handled in the area by Goodliffe, but fell kindly for Akinde to rifle into the top corner to give the home side the advantage.
Ben Garner’s side were working hard for the desired victory, with the attacking partnership of John Akinde and Samson Tovide causing havoc amongst the back line of the visitors. Shots came in from Ashley and Tchamadeu that were well dealt with, but it was clear which team was in the ascendancy.
The advantage would only grow for the U’s before half time when Junior Tchamadeu netted his fourth of the season. Already proving himself to be a handful, Samson Tovide got the better of Goodliffe to deliver a pinpoint cross for the advanced wing-back to convert at the back post with five minutes of the half to play.
John Akinde had another good chance just before the break after the ball had flicked off Rowe’s head. It looked as though the U’s attacker thought he was offside but continued anyway, seeing a cross blocked before smashing the ball against the post from close range.
Nevertheless, the U’s would maintain their advantage going into half time, after a commanding first-half performance.
Sutton opted to make a change at the break as Goodliffe made way for Neufville – the defender appeared to pick up a knock when challenging with Tovide for the third U’s goal.
And the visitors started the second half well, but failed to lay a glove on the U’s defence. Their period of dominance soon came to an end with Ben Garner’s side extending the advantage just after the hour mark.
Once again, the goal was provided by Samson Tovide who was bullying the Sutton defence. He muscled his way beyond Kizzi before a clever back-heel allowed Noah Chilvers to convert from close range and increase the advantage to three goals.
Garner allowed his side five more minutes before making changes to the eleven that got the game underway. There was a rousing round of applause for John Akinde and Noah Chilvers who were replaced by Tom Hopper and Matt Jay for the final twenty minutes of play.
A comfortable ten minutes followed before Ben Garner made more changes. Tchamadeu had sat down to receive treatment for a couple of minutes before the introduction of Tom Dallison, making his return to the field in the eightieth minute.
After a great shift, Tovide was also withdrawn alongside Connor Hall with five minutes to go, with Alex Newby and Jayden Fevrier brought on to see out the contest.
It proved to be a good afternoon’s work for the U’s who were able to see out the 4-1 win, and the club’s first ever win over Sutton United at the JobServe Community Stadium, securing their EFL status for another season.
The win lifts the U’s up to nineteenth in the standings, ten clear of the drop zone with two to play, and a game against Doncaster Rovers coming up next weekend.
Colchester United starting XI: Smith, Greenidge, Chambers, Chilvers (Jay 71’), Kelleher, Read, Ashley, Tchamadeu (Dallison 80’), Akinde (Hopper 71’), Hall (Fevrier 85’), Tovide (Newby 85’).
Subs: O’Hara, Dallison, Newby, Jay, Hopper, Marshall Miranda, Fevrier.
Sutton United starting XI: Rose, Kizzi, Rowe, Goodliffe (Neufville 46’), Milsom, Ajiboye, Beautyman, Smith, Boldewijn, Bugiel, Wilson (Angol 80’).
Subs: House, Hart, Gambin, Kouassi, Angol, Neufville, Dennis.
Attendance: 3,851 (275)