Colchester United held on for a thrilling 3-2 win at Grimsby Town in the latest Sky Bet League Two action this evening.
The U’s went behind early on as Owen Goodman put through his own goal, but swiftly fought back with Joe Taylor equalising within minutes.
And Colchester lead before half time with Zach Mitchell bagging his first goal for the club from an Arthur Read corner.
The hosts hit back early in the second period through Wilson, but Arthur Read had the telling strike, blasting in from distance mid-way through the half.
It provided the U’s with a much-needed three points and a win to move them out of the bottom two in League Two.
Colchester United Interim Boss Matty Etherington picked a side with two changes to the starting eleven in his first game in temporary charge of the club. Arthur Read had served his suspension and Samson Tovide had recovered from injury, and were in from kick off; Noah Chilvers and Bradley Ihionvien were named among the substitutes.
After serving his one-game suspension, Jay Mingi also returned to the bench, in place of Owura Edwards who was missing after picking up a knock in the weekend’s action.
Etherington’s side line in a 4-1-4-1 formation– Owen Goodman in goal with a back four of Greenidge, Mitchell, Hall and Egbo. Arthur Read played as the defensive midfielder, with Camron McGeehan and Chay Cooper in the middle. Joe Taylor lead the line, supported by Jayden Fevrier and Samson Tovide on the flanks.
The opening fifteen minutes were frantic at Blundell Park with both sides bagging themselves a goal. Grimsby struck first, but it was through a U’s man with Owen Goodman putting through his own net in the seventh minute.
But less than five minutes later, Joe Taylor had blasted the U’s back level. The Luton Town loanee sprung the offside trip before smashing an effort across Eastwood into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Owen Goodman was called into action two minutes later, as he pushed Gavan Holohan’s effort onto the woodwork, in what was quickly becoming an open and exciting game under the lights.
A couple of fouls saw the flow of the game start to crack, as both the U’s and the Mariners struggled to keep possession for the next period of play.
And just as the game became scrappy, the U’s got their noses in front for the first time in the evening. Zach Mitchell bagged his first goal in U’s colours, bundling home from Arthur Read’s corner in the thirty-sixth minute.
Gavan Holohan picked up a knock just before Matty Etherington’s side took the lead and was replaced at 2-1 for Jamie Andrews. The Mariners were began to struggle after going behind, with Maher soon booked for a nasty foul on Fevrier with less than ten to play in the first half.
The Mariners lacked any cutting edge to get them level before the break, with Matty Etherington the happier of the two bosses as the teams headed to the dressing rooms.
Paul Hurst made a switch at half time, replacing Tobi Mullarkey with Kieran Green in midfield, as his side got back on level terms quickly in the second half.
Owen Goodman might have thought the onslaught was over after two fine saves from Rose, but he could do nothing about Wilson’s effort into the bottom corner.
Matty Etherington made two swift changes after the equaliser, with Chay Cooper and Zach Mitchell replaced by Jay Mingi and Tom Dallison just before the hour mark, as Owen Goodman pulled off another fine save.
It proved to be a valuable save from the U’s ‘keeper, as his side re-took the lead minutes later. Arthur Read was the man on target, bursting through the challenge in the middle before unleashing an effort that took a slight deflection on its way into the bottom corner.
Once again, the U’s had something to hold on to as Mandela Egbo was next into the book for a tactical foul. And Colchester could have had another, with Tovide trying to convert on the counter attack.
Arthur Read carried the ball upfield, playing it through to Taylor – the pacey forward squared it to Tovide, but the young striker couldn’t apply the finish, in his final action of the game. He was shortly replaced by Noah Chilvers.
Another change came with five minutes to play, as Hopper replaced Taylor in attack, with the hosts also bringing on Arthur Gnahoua for the last minutes.
There were no late scares for Colchester, as they held on for a thrilling and vital three points against Grimsby Town.
Matty Etherington’s side picking up three points means they move out of the relegation zone, now with thirteen points from fourteen games, three clear of the bottom two.
Up next for the U’s is a trip to play-off chasing Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.
Grimsby Town starting XI: Eastwood, Efete. Rodgers, Eisa, Holohan (Andrews 36’), Amos, Wilson, Mullarkey (Green 46’), Maher, Rose, Conteh (Gnahoua 89’).
Subs: Cartwright, Green, Waterfall, Pyke, Khan, Gnahoua, Andrews.
Colchester United starting XI: Goodman, Greenidge, Hall, Tovide (Chilvers 77’), McGeehan, Mitchell (Dallison 57’), Read, Egbo, Taylor (Hopper 86’), Cooper (Mingi 57’), Fevrier.
Attendance: 5,010 (148)