18/06/2020 - Given the existential issues in which lower division clubs are currently bound it is hard to describe the return of play-off football as an overwhelmingly positive advert for the Football League’s health. For long periods of this first leg it was hard to muster enthusiasm for much more of this fast-forwarded promotion shootout, but then Cohen Bramall produced a late winner that took Colchester halfway to Wembley and reminded everyone watching exactly why it is so worthwhile.Bramall is a dynamic left-back whose career path, which has brought him to East Anglia from Hednesford Town via Arsenal, has few equivalents. He had already come close with one set-piece, drawing a save from Lewis Ward in the 20th minute, when he was given the chance to size up another at an angle on the right side of the penalty area. It was not an obvious shooting position and Ward, realising his mistake after Bramall took aim, scrambled to his left. But the execution was too good and the goalkeeper too late; he Collapse

18/12/2019 - If Marcus Rashford performs Manchester United often follow suit. So it was that he transformed this quarter-final when turning it on in the second half to give Ole Gunnar Solskjær the win which is the best way for him to celebrate Thursday’s one-year anniversary of taking charge.Rashford scored the opener and was a key factor in United’s other two strikes in a 10-minute burst that was precisely what was required against a Colchester United who had proved durable. The victory means Solskjaer’s side are just 180 minutes away from the inaugural final of his reign in a first full campaign as the manager. Continue reading... Collapse

29/10/2019 - Manchester City, Leicester, Everton, Oxford and Colchester all earned quarter-final spots on a night of occasional drama 10.05pm GMT And with that, my race is run. We’ll be back for a whole lot more tomorrow night. Bye! 10.02pm GMT Here’s Paul Doyle’s report from the Pirelli Stadium:Leicester advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals despite being spooked by Burton. Brendan Rodgers’ men seemed set to dish out another emphatic beating after goals by Kelechi Iheanacho and Youri Tielemans put them 2-0 up after 20 minutes. But rather than lie down like Southampton, the League One side rebelled, halving the deficit thanks to Liam Boyce and forcing Danny Ward to make several fine saves. James Maddison came off the bench to settle the tie in the 89th minute. Related: James Maddison makes Burton pay and helps fire Leicester into last eight 10.00pm GMT Extraordinary scenes at Oxford tonight: “We could actually hear the crowd at the Oxford United stadium cheering,” reports Mark Piesing. “We Collapse

23/09/2019 - Former Tottenham youth player could not believe his luck in the Carabao Cup draw – until he realised who he could end up markingLuke Prosser could feel that something big was about to happen. The Colchester captain knew the numbers of the top Premier League clubs and, as the draw for the Carabao Cup third round went on, none had come out. A measure of trepidation underpinned the excitement. “I was thinking: ‘What if it’s one of them? Say we get Man City away?” Prosser says. “They beat Burton 9-0 last season. You don’t want to get turned over silly.”Then it happened. League Two Colchester, who had beaten Crystal Palace on penalties at Selhurst Park, came out first and they were swiftly followed by Tottenham. For Prosser, a former Spurs youth player and lifelong supporter of the club, the surge of emotion was indescribable. This was the jackpot. Related: Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action Continue reading... Collapse

29/07/2019 - Scunthorpe and Plymouth should be contenders after their relegation to a division in which Stevenage could be dark horsesThere is a vast pool of exciting 40-something coaches determined to make a splash as managers, some of whom are taking their first plunge while others, notably Paul Hurst, are hungry to kick on. Determined not to allow a 14-game reign at Ipswich define his reputation, Hurst has the look of a managerial catch for Scunthorpe United, given his success at Grimsby and Shrewsbury where he surpassed expectations, eking every sinew out of his players. At Glanford Park, however, Hurst will have to cope with the expectation that comes with the territory of being fancied for an instant return to League One. The signing of Andy Butler, who started his career at the club, seems a sensible addition. Related: Bielsa, Brentford and Bolton: the new Football League season Continue reading... Collapse

05/11/2017 - • Jamie Philpot’s header earns Woking a replay at Bury• Truro’s Cup journey ends with defeat at CharltonThe National League sides Woking and Guiseley earned draws against Football League opposition on Sunday to ensure a place in the second round draw. Woking recovered from the concession of an early goal to draw 1-1 against Bury, while Guiseley drew 0-0 at home to Accrington Stanley, currently second in League Two. Woking earned their replay against managerless Bury through Jamie Philpot’s header after their League One visitors, who sacked Lee Clark last month, went ahead after 42 seconds through Michael Smith. Related: Middlesbrough go fifth and heap more misery on managerless Sunderland Related: Bristol City delight in Severnside honours as Aden Flint sinks Cardiff Continue reading... Collapse