COLCHESTER v GILLS

[iblue]

Colchester v Gills. Real 'six-pointer' this with both teams struggling in the relegation area - It's a 'must win' game for Peter Taylor's team.

The first thing to remark is that referee Graham Horwood might have had too much Christmas pud and he is replaced by Trevor ‘Whistling’ Kettle as our man in the middle.

The Gills starting line-up has four changes from boss Peter ‘tinkering’ Taylor including a debut appearance of midfielder Harry Lennon and return of Aaron Morris from injury but captain Doug Loft is missing - no explanation given or suggested by the Gills management.

Gills team: Stauart Nelson, Max Ehmer, Harry Lennon, John Egan, Arron Morris, Joe Martin, Michael Doughty, Bradley Dack, Josh Pritchard, Luke Norris and Cody McDonald.

Gills Subs are: Glenn Morris, Leon Legge, Jake Hessenthaler, Amine Linganzi, Jermaine McGlashan, Dickenson and Danny Kedwell.

5 minutes: U's winger Massey cuts into Gills box and cracks a shot that beat Stuart Nelson but crashed against the crossbar for a Gills let-out - slice of luck for Gills.

10 minutes: Colchester looking the more likely with a good start. The lively Massey is showing his speed past several Gills defenders - forces a corner but thankfully cleared. Another Colchester attack and another shot on target that was easily saved by Staurt Nelson.

12 minutes: First shot on target from Gills with top scorer Cody McDonald testing Sam Walker in the Colchester goal but easily saved.

Gills beginning to come good with some decent midfield play pushing Colchester around - keep this up and the signs might be for a better outcome this afternoon.

18 minutes: Pretty even contest this but pleasing encouragement of the Gills midfield that are looking stronger of late.

[iblue]

COLCHESTER 0 v GILLS 1

25 minutes: GOAL FOR GILLS from Joe Martin. Great cross from Cody McDonald after reciving the ball from Pritchard and Joe came in from the right and thumped a great shot without letting it drop and it flashed into the net. Great skill from Joe Martin and a good team flowing move - Gills on their way - yippee!

[iblue]

COLCHESTER 0 v GILLS 1 (Joe Martin)

U's looking a little stunned after their reasonable start and not losing composure so Gills need to be alert and push for that second.

27 minutes: Nelson clattered into by Colchester Hewitt but thankfully Gills goalie is ok and Hewitt was spoken to by referee Trevor Kettle.

33 minutes: Michael Doughty, who is having a good game. puts Joe Martin away again but the referee assistant waves an offside flag - it was a close call.

GILLS SECOND GOAL! - Bradley Dack from another pull-back from the lively and alert Cody McDonaldand Dack arrived at the near post to touch home and Gills well in charge.

COLCHESTER 0 v GILLS 2

[iblue]

COLCHESTER 0 v GILLS 2 (Joe Martin, Bradley Dack)

35 minutes: Cody again and trying to get Aaron Morris in with a chance but U's defended well. Joe Martin is alive and well and running down the wing! threatening Colchester again.

38 minutes: One magnificent save from Stuart Nelson keep Gills with their two goal lead. Massey has a clear chance but Nelson makes a finger-tip save and pushes the ball over for a corner.

This is a good all-round display by Gills and they come again with that man Joe Martin with a few Gills in attendance but it finishes with a U's goal kick. Massey for Colchester looks the main threat and probably should have scored already but for Gills goalie Stuart Nelson.

45 minutes + 2 added: Keeping the home team quiet and their fans who offer a few boos as Colchester team walk off for the break.

HALF-TIME: Nice two goal cushion and Gills in some degree of control - not many times Gills can say that this season! - COLCHESTER 0 v GILLS 2

[iblue]

ATTENDANCE: 4,544 including 680 Gills fans

SECOND HALF STARTS: Bradley Dack off and Amine Linganzi on plus Colchester take Craig Eastmond off and replace with Sammie Szmodics

COLCHESTER 0 v GILLS 2 (Joe Martin, Bradley Dack)

48 minutes: Probably straight from a rollicking in the half-time break, Colchester are straight onto the attack and force a corner that came to nothing. Another U's attack and Massey fires an effort that goes wide.

50 minutes: Just what Gills didn't want Colchester pull one back. Cross from the right hand side and a crowd of players scrambled so not sure who scored. Might have been an own goal from Gills Arron Morris

COLCHESTER 1 v GILLS 2

[iblue]

COLCHESTER 1 v GILLS 2

What a shame another fifteen or so minutes with a two goal Gills advantage would have been nice and put Colchester on the back-foot but Gills have conceded and it just might be enough get the U's back on top with their biggest crowd of the season behind them. Joe Martin booked for pulling Colhessety back as he went past him.

53 minutes: Luke Norris booked for a nasty and very poor two-footed foul. Spectators shouting for the referee to issue a red card.

60 minutes: Great cross by Joe Martin - candidate for Man of the Match and met by Cody McDonald but his neat header was saved by Sam Walker

61 minutes: Clohessy with another neat cross from the right and Sears puts in the Gils goal but luckily for Gills it was offside.

Colchester getting on top and Gills looking shaky and in defensive mode - Massey effort just wide and Sears scores again although again adjudged offside!

Gills must get their act together otherwise this game will be turned around by the U's.

66 minutes: Now Gills get a goal disallowed! - Cody McDonald thumps the ball home but it was disallowed because the ref saw a push by the Gills top scorer.

67 minutes: Luke Norris off and Danny Kedwell comes on for Gills

COLCHESTER 1 v GILLS 2

[iblue]

COLCHESTER 1 v GILLS 2

Gills boss Peter Taylor going spare on the touchline pleading with the Gills team to slow down their play and try to keep ball. Colchester trying to force the pace and are unfortunately looking the team most likely to score.

70 minutes: Another fine effort from U's Massey that has Stuart Nelson scrambling across his goal. Gills have to keep ball more and begin to dominate the midfield otherwise most Gills fans can expect the worse.

73 minutes: Third change for Gills: Brennan Dickenson is sent on by Peter Taylor for Aaron Morris - who has only just returned from injury. Formation change for Gills with Cody dropping back to strengthen the midfield and hopefully stop Colchester from coming forward at will. Danny Kedwell is the lone Gills man up front.

75 minutes: Nice run by Dickenson down the wing but comes to nothing. Gills are now set up in defensive mode allowing Colchester territory and trying to contain them as they get withiin 30 yards of Stuart Nelson's goal. Seen this Peter Taylor plan before in games and as fans you need strong finger nails and nerves of steel to watch.

[iblue]

COLCHESTER 1 (Szmodics) v GILLS 2 (Joe Martin, Bradley Dack) - Colchester goal given to Szmodics and not Aaron Morris own goal which has possibly made his Christmass!

82 minutes: Hewitt replaced by Colchester and Healey comes on. Freddie Sears and Healey are a two-man non-stop attack force that Gills have to stop.

This 'six-pointer' is boiling nicely to a nervy finish for Gills and the home team who are also desperate for the points - 4 minutes plus added time to go and Colchester send on another striker for their third sub.

The crowd are getting behind the home team and they expect Colchester to attack, attack, attack!

88 minutes: Another Colchester attack stopped by a strong Gills defensive block that earned a yellow card for John Egan. Free kick that came into the box forcing a tremendous save from Stuart Nelson that keeps the points in the Gills bag! - Nelson has saved the day yet again!

4 minutes of added time and Gills fans are trying to lift their team.

Danny Kedwelll puts the ball on a plate for Dickenson but a feeble effort from Brennan and another chance wasted.

Colchester throwing everything at the Gills goal and a great defensive header from Harry Lennon that eases the pressure. Sears just misses a great chance but Colchester score! only for it to be disallowed for offside! - another huge slice of luck for Gills.

Full-Time: COLCHESTER 1 v GILLS 2 - only the second win of the season for Gills but what a welcome three points taken from relegation rivals - Massive victory and massive result for Gills! - yippee!!!!

[statotheblue]

Thanks for the updates iblue.Can you explain the title?Anyway 3 great points.Would have loved to have been there but will struggle to make Sunday if I still feel the same.

[sunnyboy]

good result today. well done Gills and thanks IBlue for the frequent reports. Wish I was in the UK with so many games in a short time. Hope we finish the next couple of games to continue our ascent away from the bottom four. COYG

[gillsjan]

Thanks for the report iblue. Well done lads. ( this is from one of the deluded supporters ) Lets see some more results like this.

[dazza23]

Be nice to see the anti-Taylor brigade on here now after 2 straight away wins! Well done gills don't matter how we get the points. We all have to allow scally to make the decisions on managers and just get behind the team. Rather than moaning 24/7 when we lose. Thanks for making my Xmas gills :-)

[Deleted]

They'll all be very quiet until the next loss as they have nothing constructive to say, especially after a good win.
No doubt it'll be regarded by some as "lucky" etc

[Deleted]

Many thanks iblue,always good to read your reports even when I've been to the matches, so even better when I have not.
Does anyone know what the situation is regarding Doug Loft.

[Deleted]

Knee injury sustained in training