Colchester United vs Harrogate Town – Match Report

Super-sub Sam takes home 3 points for Town

Harrogate came from behind to win 1-2 away to Colchester. It was Sam Folarin who stared after coming on in the 58th minute and grabbing himself a goal and assist to see Town take home all three points and remain four games unbeaten away from home in the league.

Harrogate came into the game with Simon Weaver making two changes to the starting lineup after last week’s defeat to league leaders Stockport.

Levi Sutton was back in the squad for the first time since Town’s 1-0 away to MK Dons last month. He earned his spot in replace of skipper Josh Falkingham who dropped to the bench. This saw Warren Burrell be given the captain’s armband for the day.

Matty Foulds also came into the eleven for Liam Gibson after playing 90 minutes against Accrington in the EFL Trophy.

It was a fast-paced start to the game with Colchester pressing on the front foot. It was Chilvers with the first chance of the game as his curling effort from the edge of the box narrowly went wide of the post.

Shortly after on 10 minutes, Colchester had a golden chance to take the lead if it wasn’t for Mark Oxley who pulled off a fantastic double save. He was at full stretch on both occasions and on the second time of asking he tipped the ball away from danger.

Apart from the early threat posed by the home side, chances were few and far between in the first half with Colchester recording the only two shots on goal.

It was Colchester who made a bright start to the second half with Chilvers again being their creative spark. He drove through the middle of the park and clipped a delicate cross into Ihionvein who’s powerful header was matched by Oxley’s save.

Simon Weaver looked to take the handbrake off and utilise the pace of Folarin as he replaced James Daly just before the hour mark.

On 63 minutes, Colchester took the lead via a long-range effort from Chay Cooper. A cheap giveaway from Town resulted in a swift move stemming from McGeehan. The ball found its way to Cooper who had no option but to shoot, and his effort from outside the box found the top left corner.

Less than 2 minutes later, Harrogate responded through Matty Daly. The chance came from the substitute Folarin who did exactly what he was sent on to do. After receiving the ball on the wing, he jinked infield and threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Matty Daly who made no mistake on his left foot, firing the ball past Goodman the Colchester goal.

Folarin caused further problems for Colchester’s back line as Greenidge was the first to enter the referee’s book on 72 minutes.

Simon Weaver made his second change of the game with a straight swap up top, bringing on Armstrong for March.

The game opened up in the final 15 minutes with both teams aiming to snatch all three points and on the 80-minute mark, Sam Folarin did exactly that for Town as he curled a wicked effort into the top right corner after showing good patience to find a yard of space in the area.

Matty Daly made way for Jack Muldoon late on with the aim of seeing the narrow win through. Colchester piled on the pressure looking for an equaliser in the final stages of the game with minutes feeling like hours for Town.

Harrogate managed to see out the seven minutes off added time and earn a hard-fought win after some stern defending from. Kayne Ramsey put his body on the line and dug in to cut out the threats posed by The Ewe’s in the final seconds.

That win put an end to the drought that Town have suffered over the last three years at the Colchester Community Stadium and meant that Town leapt up to 13th in the table.