What you need to know as old faces return to the JCS...
The Match
The U’s take on Rochdale AFC at the JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday 29th August.
Danny and Nicky’s side head into the game on the back of their first League Two win of the season, beating Oldham Athletic 2-1 at the JobServe Community Stadium last time out. Harry Anderson’s second-half leveller and a stoppage-time Lewis Temple own goal secured all three points. Academy striker Kien Connolly is expected to keep his place in the matchday squad following his senior debut against Oldham.
This weekend’s match offers the U’s the chance to build on that result and pick up back-to-back league wins, ahead of a week of away fixtures – a trip to Bristol Rovers in midweek on Tuesday 1st September and a journey to Swindon Town on Saturday 5th September. Tickets for these away fixtures are still available to purchase until Sunday and Thursday, respectively.
The Opponents
Rochdale AFC, known as the Dale, arrive at the JobServe Community Stadium having lost both of their opening two League Two fixtures, going down 3-0 away at Newport County before falling to a 1-2 home defeat to Crawley Town last Saturday.
The Dale return to the Football League for the first time since their relegation to the National League at the end of the 2022/23 season, having won promotion via the play-offs with a penalty shoot-out victory over Boreham Wood at Wembley in May after finishing runners-up behind champions York City.
Rochdale’s route into this season’s League Two campaign also included a Carabao Cup exit, beating Tranmere Rovers on penalties in the preliminary round before going down 2-0 away to League One side Bradford City in round one.
Head coach Ian Watson took charge of the Dale in June, joining from National League North side South Shields, where he led the club to a second-place finish and a promotion final appearance in his first full season in charge. He replaced Jimmy McNulty, who departed for League One club Stockport County.
Watson has overseen a significant rebuild over the summer, with new arrivals including goalkeeper Nils Ramming, centre-back Laurence Maguire, and Chelsea loanee Kaiden Wilson, alongside forwards Cian Hayes and Zain Silcott-Duberry. Saturday could also mark a return to Essex for the ever-present Ian Henderson. In a period spanning three years, the striker netted 26 goals and provided nine assists in 129 appearances for the U’s in the early 2010s.
The two sides have not met since the 2022/23 season, when a first-half Devante Rodney penalty gave Rochdale a 1-0 win at the JobServe Community Stadium in September 2022 before the U’s claimed all three points in Greater Manchester in January 2023.
The Matchday
We’re at home in Sky Bet League Two action once again!
Just like last Saturday, the Club Shop and Fanzone will be open from around midday.
The Club Shop is your one-stop shop for U’s Essentials. Why not pick up our new 2026/27 Macron Home Kit ahead of another clash at the JobServe Community Stadium! If it is your little U’s first time at a game, you can also find our First Time U’s certificates in the Club Shop. Something for them to remember the match by, from our very own Eddie the Eagle!
Our Fanzone is a great place to relax and prepare for the game – even if the forecast rain makes an appearance. There is seating outside and inside both Hotshots Café and the Legends Bar with Sky Sports shown throughout. This makes it an ideal spot for some pre-match food and drink. Take advantage of our traditional matchday pies, burgers, or hotdogs plus, with Molson-Coors and Carling having taken over as our Official Pouring Rights Partner, you can enjoy a range of Carling, Coors, Madri, and other refreshing beverages around the JobServe Community Stadium. As always, enjoy them responsibly!
The Colchester United Community Foundation will be back again in Eddie’s Nest (inside the East/Family Stand), outside with games and inflatable fun (weather dependent), plus showcasing the fantastic progress of participants from the ‘Off the Bench’ programme before the match and at half-time. Make sure to give them a warm welcome pitchside and a big round of applause during the celebrations at the break!
The Ticket Office will be open for any ticket enquiries and home tickets for our upcoming fixtures against Crewe Alexandra and Cheltenham Town are still available to purchase.