Colchester United beat Cheltenham Town in League Two.

HARRY Anderson struck the winner as Colchester United stretched their undefeated streak to 11 games with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Cheltenham Town this afternoon. Anderson converted Ellis Iandolo’s superb cross to give the U’s their third consecutive win, leaving them four points behind the League Two play-off spots with 11 games remaining. It was a hard-fought, physical match at Whaddon Road, but Colchester demonstrated remarkable tenacity to take all three points, following a third consecutive clean sheet. Colchester manager Danny Cowley made three changes to his starting lineup for the game at Cheltenham. Jack Tucker made his first start for the U’s, alongside Lyle Taylor and Samson Tovide.

Arthur Read and Tyreece Simpson were demoted to the bench, while Fiacre Kelleher was unable to play because his wife was giving birth. It was Colchester’s first change in the back four in 11 games.

The first half was full with interruptions and stoppages. Cheltenham came close to scoring after 15 minutes when Ethan Williams’ superb free kick hit the crossbar before going over for a goal kick. However, the hosts were forced to make a defensive change on 20 minutes when right-back Arkell Jude-Boyd was accidently caught in the face by Owura Edwards and replaced by Darragh Power. Matt Macey held on superbly to Tom Bradbury’s free header from Luke Young’s corner, while Colchester were given a reprieve shortly before the break when Power tumbled under Edwards’ challenge in the area, but referee Simon Mather dismissed their appeals.And the U’s almost scored in the fifth and final minute of time added on, with their first shot on target.

A well-worked free-kick from Taylor resulted in Ellis Iandolo bursting into the area and forcing a good save by Joe Day, from point-blank range.

Colchester went in goalless at halftime, but they started the second half well and nearly went ahead in the first few minutes, with Day holding on well to Day’s low shot following a nice move by the visitors. The U’s got even closer ten minutes after the break when Tovide brilliantly twisted Bradbury to allow John-Kymani Gordon through on goal, but the winger’s low drive was stopped by the legs of Day. Colchester’s penalty request was refused when Bradbury grabbed Tovide’s shirt in the area before the visitors scored in the 69th minute. After a period of attacking pressure, Iandolo curled a wonderful cross into the danger area, and Anderson nudged the ball home.

Cheltenham sought a way back into the game, and Archer’s low shot was well saved by Macey, while the hosts had a penalty appeal turned down after substitute Ashley Hay fell under Tom Flanagan’s challenge in the area. Colchester may have extended their lead before the conclusion, but one goal was enough as the visitors took all three points.

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