What we learnt from Colchester United's win over Salford

Winning is everything

THE feeling of relief was palpable after Colchester United’s win over Salford City.

It might not have been the prettiest of games or performances but that was not what mattered for the U’s, last night.

The main thing was that they got the job done and recorded a victory, after five successive league defeats.

They scored more than once in a match for the first time since November 7 and conceded fewer than two goals for the first time in six league games.

Matty Etherington has mentioned on more than one occasion the need for Colchester to be better in both boxes and that happened against Salford.

It might not have been their finest performance but they ultimately got the job done.

Welcome return

COLCHESTER United have had their fair share of defensive injuries in the first half of this season.

So the return of experienced duo Ellis Iandolo and Connor Hall to the back four against Salford City was a welcome boost.

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Salford City win

The pair were only able to play just under an hour each which was understandable given the length of time they have been out, particularly Iandolo whose appearance was his first for the U’s since their opening league game of the season at Bradford City, in August.

Not only does Iandolo provide some much-needed balance to the defence being naturally left footed; he also brings a calmness and an extra attacking outlet, given his quality from set pieces.

The key now is for the pair to stay fit, particularly given Fiacre Kelleher will now be out for two months with a thigh injury.

Changes are key

MATTY Etherington made the right substitutions at the right times for Colchester United against Salford City.

The players he brought on – and the timing of his changes – was a key factor in the U’s claiming their first league win since early November.

Tom Dallison and Al-Amin Kazeem both came on just before the hour and played their part in helping Colchester claim a precious win, with Kazeem’s forward runs striking at times against a tiring Salford defence.

READ MORE: Fiacre Kelleher 'devastated' after latest injury setback

And Chay Cooper and John Akinde had an impact on the contest, not least by combining to score the U’s second.

Cooper showed plenty of composure in finishing from Akinde’s pass and scoring what proved to be a vital goal.

Safe hands

THEY say saves are sometimes as valuable as goals and that was certainly the case for Colchester United against Salford City.

Their goalkeeper Owen Goodman made a number of crucial stops throughout the contest at the JobServe Community Stadium and arguably saved the best until last, with a vital save to deny Salford substitute Matt Smith from point-blank range.

Goodman showed plenty of maturity in his performance and the only downside was that he was unable to help his side keep a clean sheet, which he deserved given his display.

There was little the Crystal Palace loanee could realistically do to prevent Conor McAleny's stoppage-time consolation from finding the net with a wonder strike in stoppage time but in the end, it mattered not to the result.

Top man Taylor

JOE Taylor’s opener for Colchester United against Salford City probably won’t go down as his finest strike of the season.

But it nevertheless added to his personal tally for the season, bringing the on-loan Luton Town striker to an impressive tally of 11 goals before the midway point of the League Two campaign.

There are times when Taylor can cut a frustrated figure up front for Colchester, usually when he was starved of the service he needs to do what he does best.

But he has shown that given half a chance, he can find the net and the U’s will be hoping that they can keep the 21-year-old at the club in the second half of the season and fend off any requests for an early Luton recall.