Colchester United look to get back to winning ways this weekend with a trip to bottom club Sutton United in League Two.
The U’s were unfortunate to not take all three points in the last action, with Danny Cowley’s side conceding a late equaliser against Accrington Stanley at the JobServe Community Stadium at the weekend.
But attentions will now have turned to the next game, with the U’s travelling to Gander Green Lane to take on twenty-fourth-placed Sutton United in the league.
Arthur Read has sat out the last couple of weeks after picking up a calf strain, but will be hoping to have recovered enough to play his part this weekend; other fringe players like Bradley Ihionvien and Conor Wilkinson will be hoping they did enough in the Essex Senior Cup match against Hashtag to get a chance in the First Team.
The Opposition
Sitting seven points adrift of safety with thirteen games to go, Sutton will need to start picking up points soon if they are to retain their EFL status next season.
Matt Gray, the manager that oversaw their National League-winning campaign, was dismissed at the end of 2023, with former Cardiff City boss Steve Morrison brought in to try and turn their fortunes around.
Since Morrison’s arrival though, Sutton have failed to win any of their eight league games, picking up four points along the way with draws against barrow, Mansfield, Walsall and Doncaster; last weekend, they lost 1-0 to Bradford City at Valley Parade.
Former U’s defender Omar Sowunmi has been a regular in the team this term, with thirty-three outings in all competitions, contributing three goals in the league – including one here at the JobServe Community Stadium in the 1-1 draw back in November; he has only been named amongst the subs for the last three matches.
Another familiar name amongst the Sutton team is Ryan Jackson. The popular full back made well over 100 appearances for Colchester in a three-year stint in North Essex, and has also made thirty-three appearances for Sutton this season. He has started every game under Steve Morrison.
Harry Smith is the top scorer for Sutton this season with ten goals in twenty-nine appearances, although he has not scored since the 25th November. A red card at the back end of 2023 has limited his appearances this year to just four, starting in the last two.
Last Time We Met
Arthur Read scored the League Two Goal of the Month for November in the last meeting - his winding run and finish was voted the best in the fourth tier. A late strike from former U's defender Omar Sowunmi cancelled out the goal, with both sides taking a point from the fixture.
Ticket Info
All tickets for this weekend's game against Sutton United are available to purchase through the hosts. Click HERE for full information about how to support the U's in South London on Saturday afternoon.
Programmes can be ordered online for fans not attending the game, click HERE to get yours.
Please note - due to engineering works on the rail network, there will be no services running through West Sutton.
iFollow Info
If you can't make it to the game on Saturday, you can keep up with it via iFollow. Audio Passes (£2.50) are available to supporters in the UK, with Video Passes (£10) available to fans outside the UK. Click HERE to see what options are available for you.
