Colchester United thrashed Swindon Town in League Two

A first-half brace from the outstanding Samson Tovide along with a Jack Payne strike and a Harry Smith own goal put the U's in complete command at half-time against Ian Holloway's struggling side, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

And although Swindon put in an improved performance after the break, they could do nothing to prevent Colchester from claiming an important win and extending their unbeaten run to six matches in style with their biggest league victory since April, 2023.

It was also a third successive clean sheet for the U's, who produced arguably their best performance under the Cowleys.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made two changes to his starting line-up from the team that began the game at Fleetwood Town.

John-Kymani Gordon and Tom Flanagan both came into the side, with Harry Anderson and Ben Goodliffe missing out due to injury.

On a freezing December evening, Colchester were looking to make a bright start after two positive away performances and they did just that, with two goals in as many minutes in the early stages.

The U’s went ahead in the tenth minute when Swindon forward Harry Smith headed into his own net, after defender Ellis Iandolo had nodded fellow former Swindon player Jack Payne’s corner towards goal.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

And Colchester doubled their lead, two minutes later after some shambolic Swindon defending.

Samson Tovide slammed the ball into the net from close range, after Payne had robbed Ryan Delaney of possession in the final third and picked out his young team-mate.

Far from sitting back on their lead, Colchester went in search of more goals against a shell-shocked Swindon side.

And they duly got one in the 26th minute.

Tovide drilled home a fine low shot past goalkeeper Jack Bycroft from just inside the area, after Owura Edwards had done brilliantly to run half the field and pick him out.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

It had been Tovide who had released Edwards in the first place and the young striker gave the Swindon defence a torrid time in the first half, prompting Ian Holloway to take off central defender Ryan Delaney and bring on attacker Paul Glatzel on the half hour mark.

But it did little to stop the rampant Colchester and the home side increased their lead, in the 38th minute.

The unplayable Tovide did magnificently to turn his man and sprint towards goal before unselfishly squaring the ball to Payne, who prodded home from two yards.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

It was almost 5-0 a few minutes later when Edwards ran towards goal and drilled in a low shot that was pushed away at his near post by Bycroft for a corner, as the hosts hunted for more goals.

Colchester went in at the break in full command but after Swindon had made a triple change at half-time, Matt Macey was called upon early in the second half to parry away George Cox's effort.

Buoyed by their changes, the Robins looked a different team after the break and threatened to pull a goal back.

Macey denied George Cox at his near post and the U's goalkeeper then made a similar save to keep out Kabongo Tshminanga's effort, as the visitors pressed for a route back into the contest.

But with 15 minutes remaining, Mandela Egbo went close to scoring against his former club with a rasping first-time effort from 25 yards.

And Bycroft was forced to push away substitute Lyle Taylor's swerving long-range strike five minutes later, as the U's looked for more goals.

Bycroft twice denied Taylor again in stoppage time, the second save a brilliant reflex stop, but Colchester secured an impressive victory.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Egbo (sub Hunt, 75), Flanagan, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Read (sub Bishop, 63), Gordon (sub Woodyard, 85), Payne, Edwards (sub Thorn, 63), Tovide (sub Taylor, 63).

Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Smith.

Swindon Town: Bycroft, Sobowale (sub Longelo, 46), Hall (sub Minturn, 46), Delaney (sub Glatzel, 30), Wright, Cotterill, Kilkenny (sub Ofoborh, 69), Drinan, Cox, Smith (sub McGregor, 46), Tshimanga.

Substitutes (not used): McGurk, Barden.

Goals: Colchester: Smith (own goal, 6), Tovide (10, 26), Payne (38).

Referee: Andrew Humphries.

Bookings: Swindon: Cotterill (foul, 34), Hall (foul, 43), McGregor (foul, 58).

Attendance: 3,401 (170 Swindon fans).