Colchester v County
Can the Hatters complete the double against the U’s?
Saturday 11 March 2023
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Colchester supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
With Salford losing at Crewe last night, and Mansfield’s game postponed, County can’t drop out of the play-offs this afternoon. A number of the teams who were sniffing around the play-off places have started to drift away, with County still looking a decent bet for the top seven, but there’s not a lot of wiggle room left if we’re to challenge for automatic promotion. With a tricky end to March, we’ve got to get a result in Essex this afternoon, especially after dropping points in both home games last week. Ahead of today’s game we’ve got the thoughts of Ian Brown, Jonathan Baker, Nick Lee and Max Harrington.
Finally, a big thank you to Connor from JC Fitness for sponsoring today’s edition. Connor offers a free 45-minute session for those looking to start out on their weight loss journey. If you’re looking to shift a few pounds, drop him a message.
Come on County!
Des Junior
Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.
Fortunately he’s got a number of County correspondents (plus a rival fan) to call upon, and even though today’s two teams haven’t scored for 12 hours between them, our contributors are all predicting a few goals in Essex. I’d take just one, off Will Collar’s arse in injury time.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
Colchester 0 County 3
What are your best and worst memories from previous games against Colchester?
I can’t remember too many good memories against the U’s. The one that stands out for me by some distance is the game in 1990 when County won 1-0 on their travels under Danny. The win held particular relish as the goal came right at the death from David Frain - absolutely the best type of goal scored by a superb player in a game where the clean sheet was expertly supervised by Bill Williams and Paul Jones!
Most memories of games with Colchester, however, have been less than happy ones, with my worst coming in 2003-04 when we entertained the U’s at Edgeley Park, the scene of an X-rated County performance that day which Dave Challinor will hopefully have long forgotten.
County struggled from the start with Wayne Andrews unlucky not to score twice for Colchester in the first 15 minutes. A hapless performance from the Hatters saw us concede two horror goals before half-time, the first when Craig Fagan robbed Challinor, took three strides then made it 1-0. The visitors doubled their advantage through a header by Andrews after Challinor had conceded a free-kick with a poor challenge.
Things didn’t get any better as Colchester scored straight after half-time when the usually excellent Nick Colgan spilled the ball under pressure.
County rallied after that - with Andy Welsh on top form - and reduced the arrears with a Jim Goodwin penalty, but it was far too late to save a game that was long gone.
I expect County to silence their critics today and take all the points with a 3-0 win.
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
Colchester 1 County 2
You know the drill by now. Your top five Essex playlist. Go.
1) ‘The Universal’ - Blur
From Colchester of course (well a couple of them are) which is why they featured as our Host Town Heroes on today’s Away Day Show. A lively debate ensued on the track of theirs to feature. This particular track, with its sweeping string-led melody and sci-fi inspired lyric (which was news to me, I actually thought it was about the catalogue firm) won the day. And some say they preferred Oasis? A debate for another day - when we travel away to City in the Premiership, perhaps…
2) ‘The Milkman of Human Kindness’ - Billy Bragg
Dagenham's most celebrated ex-tank-driver-turned-arch-socialist-troubadoor has been regaling us with his inimitable brand of folksy mock-Cockney poetic wailing since the mid-80s, when he (as legend has it) earned his first radio play by purchasing a takeaway mushroom biryani for John Peel. Not an approach to fame and fortune you'd read about in the textbooks, but I'm not going to argue with a man who can drive a tank.
3) ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’ - Saint Etienne
Emerging out of Chelmsford at the back end of the 80s, this indie-pop outfit proceeded to win the hearts of a nation's youth (well, of this youth anyway). Their clean sound was so pitch perfect and occasionally their three-minute classics were preceded by snatches of French radio football commentary. I mean… come on!
4) ‘(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me’ - Sandie Shaw
I featured the 60s-famed barefoot songstress when we played at her native Dagenham last season. There was a charmingly innocent but cheeky beauty about everything she laid her vocal chords on, and I could have chosen about 14 different tracks, but you can have this one. You'll thank me for it.
5) ‘Only You’ - Yazoo
The later a cappella version by The Flying Pickets charted higher than the original release by the Basildon-born outfit, but for me Alison Moyet's booming vocal was always worth that of seven of those slightly strange looking instrument-free guys. A classic and uncomplicated electro pop number which has stood the test of time.
Prediction for today? No idea. But I'll go 2-1 County. We have to find the goal again sometime and Essex may be the only way!
Nick Lee, The Scarf Bergara Wore
Colchester 0 County 2
Do we miss Paddy Madden too much when he’s out of action?
We shouldn’t, because we’ve brought in strikers that offer something different, but they’ve not quite bedded in yet. Doesn’t help that we keep persisting on hoofing the ball up to Tanto when that’s clearly not his game, but I’m sure it’ll click eventually. Madden’s influence is massive though, even if he’s not scoring he looks likely to make something happen. The sooner he’s up to speed and fully fit, the better.
I’m going for a 2-0 win today.
Max Harrington (Views on the U’s)
Colchester 2 County 1
What's your prediction for today?
There’s going to be a lot of optimism today. I actually think it will be a good game, with County in the play-offs. I’m going to be positive and say a 2-1 win for Col U.
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Photo of the day
A copy of Match magazine
Belter this, isn’t it?
Today in SK
🎤 Are you inspired by Geordie Hatter’s Essex playlist above? Fancy doing a bit of Blur or Sandie Shaw on karaoke? Well you can do just that at the Dog & Partridge tonight (Buxton Road, Great Moor), with DJ Robin playing as well. 8pm.
🕺 Once you’ve finished on the karaoke, head up the A6 to Bask to continue your Saturday night merriment. DJ Gareth Brooks is on till 2am.
Never mind Google or Yell.com, we’ve got you covered
STOP! That got your attention, didn’t it? Just a quick one… I’d hazard a guess that at some point in March, all of our readers will use Google or Yell.com at some point looking for a particular product or service. But before you do, please have a quick look at our own directory to see if we have what you’re looking for. A number of great businesses support The Scarf My Father Wore, allowing us to publish fresh content every day, so let’s send a few enquiries their way in return.
Click here to have a look at all the businesses in our directory.
Remember through-balls? They were good weren’t they. And wingers who pull the ball back to a latecomer in the box to rifle home? Bliss.
A team lacking self belief and seemingly scared of losing possession for showing a bit of positive creativity always pass it around the defence then back to the keeper to lump it to the opposition, and that’s what I saw on Tuesday night.
I’ve seen worse 0-0’s than the Doncaster match (not just thanks to Gillingham) and County looked full of endeavour last Saturday, so hoping the players are without inhibition in the final third as the formulaic approach clearly isn’t ripping nets.
Colchester 0 - County 1