Danny Cowley was pleased with his Colchester side despite them missing a golden opportunity following a 0-0 draw with fellow play-off hopefuls Crewe.
The spoils were shared in front of the biggest JobServe Community Stadium crowd of the season, despite Alex having played for more than half the game with 10 men after Owen Lunt was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Colchester skipper Tom Flanagan on the halfway line.
Colchester squandered a great chance to claim a vital victory in the 87th minute when Arthur Read’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Filip Marschall.
The point took Colchester back into the play-off places and U’s boss Cowley said: “We were relentless.
“First half we didn’t play with the ball speed that we probably would have liked but we had the whole game in the second half and I’ve never seen one of my teams as dominant as we were today.
“We just couldn’t find the goal.
“We had the penalty that we missed and it was unfortunately the story today.
“Good on Arthur for stepping up and taking it under all of that pressure – for us, it’s always win together, lose together and on this occasion, draw together and it just wasn’t to be.
“If we are going to be critical of ourselves, we probably lacked a bit of quality but second half wow, did we play with some character and personality and the stadium was brilliant.
“It was so fantastic to see so many faces and so many new people that are finding a place for Colchester United in their heart.”
Crewe boss Lee Bell was pleased with the character his team showed in adversity.
Bell said: “I think we got a terrific response from them – the boys dug in and showed real character.
“We spoke about intensity and after things settled down, the players grew in confidence in terms of what we wanted and controlled the half.
“The game then changes on a decision which I can’t quite understand.
“But then didn’t they show character and what they’re about – you just can’t question this group.
“We had to overcome a lot but it wasn’t from our doing; it comes from people making ridiculous decisions on the pitch.
“I don’t know where Jamie (Knight-Lebel) is meant to put his arm (for the penalty) – sometimes they say it looks worse in slow-mo but it looks worse for the officials because he’s fallen down and put his hand there and the ball has hit his hand.
“Luckily enough, Fil was brave enough to stay in the position and made a save.”
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
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