Colchester United boss Danny Cowley was left disappointed with the referee's decision to send off defender Sean Raggett in their 1-0 friendly defeat at Stevenage. The red card was given in the 15th minute, with the hosts awarded a penalty that Jamie Reid despatched for the winner.
What happened?
The U's were left to play the majority of the game with 10 men, which Cowley felt was not ideal for the team. He stated that more common sense might have been applied by the referee in the circumstances.
Why it matters for Colchester
The defeat at Stevenage was a setback for Colchester United, who will be looking to bounce back in their next fixture against Gillingham on February 27, 2027. The team will be looking to build on the positives from the game, including the defensive organisation and the way the players dug in to stick together.
What comes next?
Colchester United will be looking to put the defeat behind them and focus on their next fixture against Gillingham. The team will be looking to build on the positives from the game and continue to work on their defensive organisation. Cowley praised the team's mentality and the way they showed resilience in the face of adversity.
Key takeaways
The U's boss felt that the team's defensive organisation was good, and he praised the way Ellis Iandolo and Hunty Rob Hunt defended the wide areas in the first half. He also praised Tom Smith for making a couple of good saves, which was really good. Cowley stated that the team has a lot of young players and if they want to come and live at these levels, they have to get in the gym and put some muscle on the bones.
Colchester United's next fixture
The U's will face Gillingham in their next fixture on February 27, 2027, which will be a crucial test for the team. They will be looking to build on the positives from the game and continue to work on their defensive organisation. Cowley praised the team's mentality and the way they showed resilience in the face of adversity.
