Exeter City’s wait for a win was extended after Northampton equalised in extra-time to at St James Park on Saturday.
The Grecians were pegged back to 2-2 and sit sixth in EFL Sky Bet League Two
Fourth-placed Colchester lie in wait this Saturday, with both sides able to move into the automatic spots with victory.
Here’s the complete lowdown on Colchester:
- Founded: 1937
- Nickname: The U’s
- Honours: Conference title & FA Trophy: 1991/92
The manager
John McGreal
Forming the bedrock of the Tranmere defence for nine years after coming through the youth system, McGreal soon made the switch to Ipswich in 1999.
The Birkenhead man tasted promotion to the promise land of the Premier League in 1999/2000.
McGreal enjoyed his first taste of management with Colchester in 2016, leading the club to 8th and 13th placed finishes in League Two respectively.
The ground
- Name: Jobserve Community Stadium
- Capacity: 10,105
- Year opened: 2008
- Address: Jobserve Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, CO4 5UP
Formerly known as the Colchester Community Stadium before sponsorship reasons meant the change to ‘Jobserve’.
This season marks a decade since its opening. The U’s most memorable occasion came in 2010 after demolishing local rivals Norwich City 7-1 - a win that also culminated in a record attendance of nearly full capacity.
One to watch
Sammie Szmodics
The Grecians will know all about dangerman Szmodics after his double against them last season. After rising through the U’s youth academy, the 23 year-old has developed into one of their prized attacking assets.
Last season proved a breakout season for the diminutive forward with 13 goals to his name and a further six goals have followed this season.
Recent form guide
Colchester themselves are in a bit of a rut having lost their last three games in all competitions.
The U’s have won four of their last six league games though and trail leaders MK Dons by just six points. They sit one point off the automatic promotion spots and just one point separates them from Exeter City too who are two places below in 6th.
2017/18 season in review
- Position: League Two - 13th
- Top goalscorer: Sammie Szmodics - 13
- Average attendance: 3,185
Two losses and a draw from three matches gave McGreal’s side a nightmare start, placing them 23rd.
An emphatic 5-1 win against Forest Green ensures that was the only occasion in the drop zone and the U’s ascent up the table became smoother.
Impressive form throughout December gave Colchester a brief taste of the promotion battle, but an ultimately mediocre season meant toiling to 13th place.
Recent meetings
Exeter City 1-0 Colchester United (League Two - 05/05/18)
On the last day of the season, the Grecians left it late to confirm 4th place courtesy of Robbie Simpson’s 71st winner.
The defeat for Colchester compounded their poor end to the season as they dropped to 13th.
Colchester United 3-1 Exeter City (League Two - 09/11/18)
Exeter were undone by a first-half Sammie Szmodics hat-trick, as Jayden Stockley’s second half goal merely served to reduce the deficit.
The impressive win moved the U’s to within four points promotion chasers Exeter in 4th, while in turn boosting their own promotion prospects.
Ticket news
Tickets are on sale at Advance prices for City's trip to the JobServe Community Stadium to face Colchester United on Saturday, November 24 in a 3pm kick-off. Click here to find out more.