Colchester United goal-getter Craig Fagan gained his reward for a summer of hard work in the gym when he bagged a brace against Watford.

Bagging a brace - Craig Fagan helped himself to two goals against Watford. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK

While the rest of his team-mates were out topping up their tans or exploring foreign climes, Fagan was working to repair a stomach injury which sidelined him at the end of last season.

And the work has paid-off as he quickly recovered when the problem flared-up again after the U's first pre-season friendly against Braintree Town.

"It felt good," said Fagan, whose first goal - a real poachers' smash-and-grab effort from a tight angle - found the net on 19 minutes of Saturday's pre-season friendly against the Hornets at Layer Road.

"It was great getting the goal as I haven't played too many pre-season friendlies and the rest of the lads had all got about two at least under their belt before Watford. I'd pulled the muscle at the end of last year, and so I spent the summer working in the gym doing different exercises to make it stronger and repair it.

"I haven't been on holiday this year. I just stayed back to get the injury sorted and I feel so much better for doing that."

Published Monday July 26, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette