Colchester United's League Two campaign in pictures

Photographers Steve Brading and Richard Blaxall made sure every U’s game was covered and captured some brilliant images, as the drama unfolded.

Here is a selection of just a few of their many pictures, as Colchester preserved their place in the EFL.

AUGUST

AFTER three successive league defeats, Colchester made the short trip to Gillingham looking to chalk up their first win of the season.

They came up against a Gills side who sat top of the League Two table with four straight wins to their name without conceding a goal but the U’s upset the odds to win 3-0 at Priestfield Stadium, thanks to goals from Fiacre Kelleher, Samson Tovide and Bradley Ihionvien.

Richard Blaxall’s pictures show Kelleher firing home Colchester’s opener and boss Ben Garner celebrating at the final whistle.

SEPTEMBER

THE most entertaining game of Colchester’s season came at the end of September when they were involved in a nine-goal thriller against then leaders Notts County.

The U's triumphed in a pulsating contest, with Arthur Read scoring twice and Jayden Fevrier and Cameron McGeehan also netting in an absorbing game at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Macauley Langstaff scored twice for the Magpies and Jodi Jones was also on target for the visitors, who pushed hard for a dramatic equaliser in stoppage-time after McGeehan was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Pictures from Steve Brading illustrate Samson Tovide in action and McGeehan celebrating his goal.

OCTOBER

COLCHESTER suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in October, as they slumped to a 5-0 thrashing at bottom side Forest Green Rovers.

The U’s were put to the sword at The New Lawn, after Jay Mingi was sent off for two bookable offences, early in the second half, as they slumped to a third successive defeat.

Matty Stevens scored twice and Callum Morton, Kyle McAllister and Matty Taylor were also on target for the hosts.

Richard Blaxall’s pictures show the U’s players’ anguish after they concede another goal and striker Joe Taylor chatting to some of the Colchester supporters, who were left angry and frustrated at the final whistle.

NOVEMBER

MATTY Etherington made a winning start to life as Colchester United’s interim boss with a 3-2 win at Grimsby Town.

The U's halted a run of four successive league defeats after securing a much-needed win, following an entertaining contest, at Blundell Park.

It was the perfect tonic for Colchester, in what was their first game following the dismissal of Ben Garner.

Arthur Read, back from suspension, inspired the U's win, scoring their winner and providing the assist for their other two goals.

Shots from Richard Blaxall show celebrations following Arthur Read’s winner and skipper Connor Hall.

DECEMBER

IN their final game of 2023, Colchester were beaten 5-3 at AFC Wimbledon in a remarkable game at Plough Lane.

The U's suffered their seventh defeat in eight matches after they were beaten by Johnnie Jackson's Dons, at Plough Lane.

Colchester had held their own in a frantic first half and went in level at 2-2 at the break, thanks to goals from Cameron McGeehan and Joe Taylor.

But the second half was a different story and the Dons scored three times before Tom Dallison's stoppage-time strike to claim victory and inflict more woe on boss Matty Etherington and his struggling side, who finished the game with ten men after McGeehan was sent off in the closing stages.

Richard Blaxall’s images show the U’s players looking dejected after conceding and boss Matty Etherington.

JANUARY

DANNY and Nicky Cowley took charge of Colchester United for the first time when they led them to a dramatic 2-2 draw at Swindon Town, on January 6.

The U's came from 2-0 down to draw, after substitute Brad Ihionvien converted in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure them a point.

Colchester conceded two first-half goals but Matt Jay pulled a goal back before half-time and Ihionvien then struck a last-gasp goal, to leave the U's fans jubilant.

Pictures from Richard Blaxall show the ball about to be deflected in off Ihionvien for Colchester’s equaliser and Danny and Nicky Cowley.

FEBRUARY

COLCHESTER United’s home clash with Forest Green Rovers at the start of the month was always going to be crucial and it proved to be a thrilling encounter at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Second-half goals from Alistair Smith, Jayden Fevrier and Harry Anderson had helped the U's overturn a two-goal deficit, only for Dominic Thompson to equalise for the visitors soon after and ensure a share of the spoils, following an exciting 3-3 draw.

It helped Colchester extend their unbeaten run to four matches, under Danny and Nicky Cowley.

Steve Brading’s shots show Anderson scoring and Fevrier celebrating.

MARCH

BY this stage of the season, Colchester were in need of points to pull away from the League Two relegation zone.

They claimed their first home win under the Cowleys when they beat Newport County 2-1 thanks to Jay Mingi’s dramatic stoppage-time winner.

Mingi struck in the second minute of stoppage time, latching onto Harry Anderson’s pass in the area and lifting a shot high into the roof of the net to seal a first home win for the Cowley brothers.

Ellis Iandolo’s first-ever U's goal had earlier levelled things up for the hosts, after they had fallen behind to Offrande Zanzala’s first-half strike.

Pictures from Steve Brading show Mingi after his brilliant winning goal and Danny Cowley celebrating the win with his coaching team.

APRIL

COLCHESTER United finally clinched their League Two status on the final day of the season following a 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra, in front of a crowd of nearly 6,500 at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Noah Chilvers' fine first-half goal gave Colchester the lead and although Elliott Nevitt equalised in stoppage-time for Alex, it could not prevent the hosts from achieving their objective.

Steve Brading’s images illustrate Jayden Fevrier trying his luck at goal and Chilvers celebrating his fine goal.