A well-struck first half free kick from Kian Spence was enough for Barrow to beat the U's at the SO Legal Stadium in the latest League Two action; Sam Foley added a second late on.
A very tight game would only ever be separated by a moment of magic, and that’s what Barrow were able to come up with against Colchester United, with Kian Spence firing in a good free kick in the first half. Sam Foley converted with a late strike in stoppage time.
The U’s huffed and puffed throughout the second half, but couldn’t find the breakthrough with Danny Cowley’s side only getting beaten for the second time since the new Head Coach’s arrival.
Colchester United named a line up with three changes from the last match, eleven days ago at Salford City; Ellis Iandolo, Riley Harbottle and John Akinde came out of the starting eleven, with Arthur Read, Harry Anderson and Mandela Egbo taking their places.
Harbottle and Akinde took places amongst the subs, while Iandolo missed out with a calf injury. That meant the U’s lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, with Owen Goodman in goal protected by a defensive trio of Dallison, Egbo and Hall. Harry Anderson returned from injury to take his place at right-wing back, as Jayden Richardson operated on the other flank; Arthur Read and Alistair Smith made up the midfield. Tom Hopper led the line, supported by McGeehan and Chilvers on either side.
The opening ten minutes saw three half chances at Holker Street, split 2-1 in favour of the U’s, although it would remain goalless. Noah Chilvers and Harry Anderson both took quickfire shots at Farman’s goal, but missed the target while Cole Stockton aimed an audacious effort well over the crossbar from the halfway line.
Jayden Richardson was harshly booked for the first card of the afternoon. A soft foul on Elliot Newby on the edge of the penalty area saw the January loanee yellow carded for his first misdemeanor of the afternoon.
From the free kick, the U’s broke and were denied a penalty kick by the officials, despite the ball striking Tyrell Warren on the arm inside the eighteen-yard box. All appeals fell on deaf ears with the referee waving play on.
Fifteen minutes went by with little action before the U’s almost brought the opening goal upon themselves. A poor clearance allowed the dangerous Stockton to deliver the ball to Acquah, with Dallison getting an important block to prevent the goal. But Barrow couldn’t maintain the pressure, clattering into Egbo and Read, with both staying down needing treatment as the game was paused.
Manny tried to continue but had to be replaced two minutes later with Riley Harbottle coming on to take his place for the last ten minutes of the first half.
Four minutes were added at the end of the first forty-five in a game that had very little to split the two. However, the hosts would hold the advantage at the break courtesy of a well-struck Spence free kick. Riley Harbottle was adjudged to have fouled his man on the edge of the penalty area, very harshly after seeming to take the ball, with the hosts making the most of their chance to lead at half time.
Fifteen minutes after the restart, the U’s made two further changes with Jayden Fevrier and Brad Ihionvien introduced, taking the places of Harry Anderson and Jayden Richardson.
And the changes brought about the first dangerous attack for Colchester United in the second half. Jayden Fevrier, looking lively, picked out Cameron McGeehan, with the Northern Irishman’s effort from distance pushed around the post by Farman.
The hosts made their first change of the afternoon with twenty minutes to play, replacing Dean Campbell with Sam Foley. Three more substitutes soon followed, with Whitfield, Telford and Stephenson brought on with just under twenty to play. The U’s made their own changes with Akinde and Jay brought on for Hopper and Smith at the same time.
There was a flurry of bookings as the game drew to a close with Ihionvien cautioned for a handball, while Hall and Stepehenson were issued yellow cards for an altercation sparked by an elbow to Hall’s face.
But the U’s couldn’t come up with a late equaliser, with Sam Foley adding a second late on for a 2-0 defeat.
A win for Forest Green elsewhere means the gap is now just two points to the drop zone, with Danny Cowley’s side hosting Doncaster Rovers up next on Tuesday evening at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Barrow starting XI: Farman, Campbell (Foley 69’), Ray, Spence, Newby (Whitfield 72’), Gotts, Chester, Acquah (Telford 73’), Warren (Stephenson 72’), Stockton (Ogungbo 80’), Feely.
Subs: Lillis, Ogungbo, Foley, Stephenson, Telford, Whitfield.
Colchester United starting XI: Goodman, Hall, Dallison, Chilvers, McGeehan, Hopper (Akinde 73’), Read, Anderson (Fevrier 59’), Egbo (Harbottle 38’), Richardson (Ihionvien 59’), Smith (Jay 73’).
Subs: Hornby, Jay, Mingi, Harbottle, Akinde, Fevrier, Ihionvien.
Attendance: 3,631 (163)
