Colchester United won 2-1 at the JobServe Community Stadium against Oldham Athletic on Saturday. A red card for Gus Scott-Morriss at half-time gave the U’s a numerical advantage that helped them overturn a 20-minute deficit.

Red card shifts momentum

Oldham opened the scoring when Keenan Appiah-Forson curled a 30-yard shot over Thimothée Lo-Tutala into the top-right corner in the 20th minute. The U’s were forced to play with ten men after Gus Scott-Morriss received a straight red card for a tackle on Ellis Iandolo on the stroke of half-time. The decision left Colchester with a defensive line of Kane Vincent-Young, Sean Raggett, Jack Tucker and Ellis Iandolo.

The loss of a player did not deter the U’s. Harry Anderson, who had been on the wing, headed a cross from Oscar Thorn to level the score. A subsequent own goal by Lewis Temple gave Colchester the lead.

Key moments

Colchester’s squad was hit by injuries, prompting midfield reshuffles from the draw against Accrington Stanley. Paul Digby replaced the injured Teddy Bishop, while Rob Hunt and Jack Payne joined him in midfield. Bradley Ihionvien and Jack Payne were the main threats on the left, while Oscar Thorn and Harry Anderson supported Ihionvien up front.

In the first half, the Latics’ striker Mike Fondop was denied a point-blank shot by Lo-Tutala, who made a brave block. The U’s struggled to break through Oldham’s back-line, but a long-range effort from Payne was blocked for a corner.

In the second half, Moses Sesay was introduced for Hunt. He combined with Payne and Anderson before shooting from the edge of the box, only to have his shot saved. The U’s pressed on, and a cross from Thorn found Anderson, who headed the ball into the bottom of the net to equalise.

Oldham earned a penalty when Jaden Williams was brought down on the left wing. Payne stepped up, but Mathew Hudson saved the attempt, keeping the score level.

Final minutes

With Chiwome and Connolly on the bench, Colchester pushed for a win. Six minutes of added time were confirmed by the fourth official. Iandolo and Williams linked on the left, delivering a cross that Lewis Temple cleared but inadvertently sent into Hudson’s reach, giving Colchester the decisive goal.

The victory secured three points for the U’s at home, while Oldham were left to regroup after a narrow defeat.