Preview | Colchester United (A)

The Mariners make the trip to Essex to face Colchester United tonight at the JobServe Community Stadium (kick-off 7:45pm), following on from Saturday’s home defeat to Stockport County.

In a difficult match for Town, Stockport left Blundell Park with all three points curtesy of a dominant first half which saw the visitors score three goals, the goals coming through Sarcevic, Olaofe and Cass. Town fought back with a goal of their own through Abo Eisa, but Stockport stood firm to keep their two-goal cushion for the rest of the match. Town come up against strugglers Colchester United who themselves have struggled to hit form in the new year.

Team News

Head Coach David Artell has stated that there are no new fresh injury concerns heading into tonight’s game and has also suggested that defender Doug Tharme is in contention to feature following the knock he picked up against Tranmere Rovers over a week ago. Rekeil Pyke returned to the match-day squad on Saturday against Stockport and could also feature tonight in Colchester.

Colchester United

These two sides last met in October when Colchester tipped Town to a 3-2 win at Blundell Park. The Mariners found themselves ahead in this game through a Goodman own goal before the visitors struck back by putting themselves 2-1 up at half time through Taylor and Mitchell. Grimsby found the equaliser through Donovan Wilson, but it wasn’t enough to stop Colchester from taking all three points as Read got the visitors’ third and final goal.

Colchester are currently managed by Danny Cowley who was appointed as the new Head Coach of the U’s at the start of January. Prior to his appointment in Essex, Cowley had overseen a successful spell with Lincoln City before a stint in the Championship with Huddersfield Town and then in League One with Portsmouth.

Form

United come into this game having won just two out of their last ten league matches, with their home form sitting at five wins from fifteen attempts.

In the U’s last league outing they fell to a narrow defeat at Play-Off chasing Harrogate Town via a stoppage time Muldoon goal.

Tonight’s hosts have Joseph Taylor to thank as their top scorer with him netting 12 times this season, registering two assists in the process.

Coverage

Overseas and UK supporters will be able to watch tonight’s match against Colchester United on Mariners TV with match passes available for £10 – they are available HERE.