Tom Hopper’s first half header sealed a record-equalling win for Colchester United with a 1-0 win at Grimsby Town.
Sealing a fifth straight away win for Matt Bloomfield’s side, the U’s move up to sixteenth in the standings.
The U’s took the lead after half an hour was played, with Hopper nodding home for his first in Colchester United colours.
And Matt Bloomfield’s side then defended resolutely to maintain their advantage throughout. The hosts threw everything at Kieran O’Hara’s goal, but failed to land a serious blow as the U’s made it five consecutive away wins for the first time since 1987.
Matt Bloomfield named a side with three changes from last weekend’s home draw against Barrow at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Ossama Ashley, Matt Jay and John Akinde were all given a spot in the starting eleven, with Noah Chilvers, Arthur Read and Samson Tovide amongst the substitutes.
The back five and goalkeeper remained in place from last weekend’s action, with O’Hara between the sticks, Luke Chambers, Fiacre Kelleher and Connor Hall at centre half. Connor Wood and Junior Tchamadeu were operating as wing-backs.
Ossama Ashley lined up alongside Cole Skuse in the midfield two, with Matt Jay just behind the duo of John Akinde and Tom Hopper.
The opening exchanges were tame between the two teams, with a Luke Chambers header whistling over the crossbar the only real goalmouth action in the first twenty minutes.
There was concern for U’s midfielder Cole Skuse after he picked up a knock to his right knee when clearing a dangerous ball from the hosts after twenty-three minutes. Arthur Read was readied and subsequently introduced for the experienced pro, an unforced change for Matt Bloomfield early on.
Ten minutes on though, and the visitors were celebrating the opening goal in the game. Tom Hopper leapt to nod home for his first in Colchester United; Connor Wood’s looping free kick was met by the head of Fiacre Kelleher, and the defender’s goal-bound effort was turned in from within the six yard area.
Worryingly for the U’s, the hosts almost equalised just a couple of minutes later with a goalmouth scramble turned just beyond the far post by Efete. Bloomfield’s side quickly regained their composure though, holding on to their advantage until half time.
There was just enough time before the break for the first bookings, with Connor Wood and Luke Waterfall both seeing yellow cards for similar fouls.
The U’s emerged with the same eleven for the second half, while the Mariners made one change. Danilo Orsi came on for Alex Hunt, in an attacking change by Paul Hurst.
Despite their early pressure, the hosts failed to force Kieran O’Hara into action, as it was the U’s who went closest to getting the next goal. Connor Wood’s set piece delivery was proving to be a problem, as he found Kelleher, but the Irish defender couldn’t find the target.
Matt Bloomfield then opted for his second and third changes of the afternoon, with Matt Jay and John Akinde taken off with twenty-five minutes to play. They were replaced by Kwesi Appiah and Noah Chilvers as the U’s aimed to see out the game.
And the two combined to go close to getting the U’s second of the afternoon. Kwesi Appiah held up the play well, waiting for Chilvers to arrive, laying the ball off to the arriving midfielder to shoot just beyond the post,
Kieran O’Hara was booked five minutes before the end for taking his time over a free-kick, but he wouldn’t have minded one bit as his side held on to claim a fifth successive away win – equalling the U’s best ever away win record.
The U’s move up to sixteenth in the standings after collecting another three points on the road, overtaking Grimsby Town. Matt Bloomfield’s side now have thirty-four points from thirty-one games, with a game against another team directly above them to come; Walsall at home on Tuesday evening.
Grimsby Town starting XI: Crocombe, Efete, Waterfall, Emmanuel (Holohan 75’), Lloyd (Dickson-Peters 75’), McAtee (Wearne 75’), Clifton, Hunt (Orsi 46’), Morris (O’Neil 75’), Amos, Maher.
Subs: Glennon, Holohan, Wearne, O’Neil, Dickson-Peters, Orsi, Smith.
Colchester United starting XI: O’Hara, Chambers, Skuse (Read 23’), Kelleher, Ashley, Jay (Chilvers 65’), Tchamadeu, Wood, Akinde (Appiah 65’), Hopper, Hall.
Subs: Hornby, Greenidge, Appiah, Chilvers, Read, Newby, Tovide.
Attendance: 6,462 (253)