Goals from Tom Hopper and John Akinde sealed a 2-0 victory in favour of the U's over Grimsby Town at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Hopper gave the U's the lead after just four minutes with his third in two games for Colchester United. Latching on to Arthur Read's through ball, he finished with aplomb to put his side ahead.
John Akinde tied things up late on after near misses from Cameron McGeehan and Jayden Fevrier. A perfect finish saw the U's striker loft the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area, handing the U's a massive three points.
The U's now move four points clear of the bottom two with three games to play - Danny Cowley's side travel to Notts County at the weekend.
Danny Cowley made one change from Saturday’s winning starting XI against Crawley Town, with John Akinde coming in for Noah Chilvers, who dropped to the bench; the only other change to the matchday eighteen saw the suspended Samson Tovide replaced by Brad Ihionvien amongst the substitutes.
Sam Hornby kept his place in goal, making his first home start since November 2022, guarded by a back four of Ellis Iandolo, Tom Dallison, Connor Hall and Jay Mingi. Jayden Fevrier, Alistair Smith, Cameron McGeehan and Arthur Read lined up in the middle, supporting the attacking duo of John Akinde and Tom Hopper.
The U’s didn’t take long to get going against the Mariners with Tom Hopper getting his third in two games just four minutes into the contest. Ali Smith won possession back, handing it off to Arthur Read in his own half. A bursting run from the midfielder was capped off by a neat through ball with Hopper applying the dinked finish over Eastwood to make it 1-0 to the home team.
However, Danny Cowley’s side weren’t immediately able to build on their early strike with Grimsby putting the pressure on Sam Hornby’s goal for the next twenty minutes. But David Artell’s side couldn’t force the goalkeeper into a meaningful save.
There was a break in play with Alistair Smith picking up a knock in a challenge while tracking back, but the Lincoln City loanee was able to continue after a brief pause.
The U’s came strong again though and had two good opportunities through McGeehan and Fevrier. Cameron’s effort fizzed just beyond the near post, while Fevrier’s left-footed strike was headed off the line with fifteen minutes of the half to go.
Half time came at a good point for the U’s, with Grimsby putting Hornby under pressure again, but Danny Cowley’s side would hold on to keep their lead at the break.
After picking up his knock in the first half, Alistair Smith couldn’t continue in the second period, replaced by Noah Chilvers at half time.
There was an early booking in the second half with Justin Obikwu issued a yellow card for simulation in the penalty area.
But the U’s didn’t start the half well. Grimsby were finding pockets of space in dangerous areas and keeping possession well while Colchester were struggling to get the ball off their opponents.
A quick counter attack nearly doubled the lead for the U’s though – John Akinde’s burst of pace saw him break away from his marker, playing a neat pass through to Jayden Fevrier with the winger’s effort striking the outside of the post fourteen minutes after the restart.
Grimsby made their first change of the half, a switch in the middle with Curtis Thompson replaced by Harry Wood with twenty-five minutes to play.
And the Mariners’ best chance of the game soon followed, but Harry Clifton was unable to convert from inside the area. A cross was delivered from the right flank, but Clifton’s glancing header landed just outside the woodwork with the U’s let off. Sam Hornby was yellow carded for taking his time over the resulting goal kick.
Ellis Iandolo was issued a yellow card soon after while Clifton was breaking away. The Grimsby man seemed to take an age to go down after knocking the ball clear, but the referee deemed it a foul and free kick for the visitors.
The second change for the visitors saw former U’s loanee Abo Eisa introduced in place of Liam Smith, with the U’s doubling their advantage moments later.
John Akinde netted a sublime effort from the apex of the penalty area. Shaping for a cross, Akinde picked out the far corner of the net, catching the ‘keeper of guard to send the U’s fans wild.
Akinde was brought of to rapturous applause, with Riley Harbottle coming on in his place to sure things up at the back.
Tom Dallison was issued a straight red card late on for a poor challenge on Justin Obikwu.
Six minutes of stoppage time enjoyed by the U's fans around the JobServe Community Stadium, with Colchester United moving four points clear of the drop zone, and handed the opportunity to book their place in League Two next season with the right result on Saturday at Notts County.
Colchester United starting XI: Hornby, Iandolo, Hall, Dallison, McGeehan, Hopper, Read, Mingi, Akinde (Harbottle 83’), A. Smith (Chilvers 46’), Fevrier (Richardson 90+7').
Subs: Goodman, Jay, Wilkinson, Chilvers, Harbottle, Richardson, Ihionvien.
Grimsby Town starting XI: Eastwood, L. Smith (Eisa 78’), Green, Rogers, Thompson (Wood 66’), Vernam, Clifton, Obikwu, Tharme, Wilson, Mullarkey.
Subs: Auton, Eisa, Ainley, Wood, Andrews, Maher, Hume.
Attendance: TBC
