U’s edge out Barrow in five-goal thriller

Barrow v Colchester United – Sky Bet League Two – Holker Street – Report

Barrow 2-3 Colchester United

Colchester United hurtled up the Sky Bet League Two table after edging a fiery affair with Barrow at Holker Street.

The U’s headed to Cumbria unbeaten in three league outings but found themselves in arrears when Jordan Stevens seized on a defensive error from Tommy Smith midway through the opening half.

However, two goals within three minutes turned the contest on its head. Alan Judge profited for Freddie Sears’ toil to level, then former West Ham man Sears reacted quickly to rattle Colchester ahead, much to the delight of their 120-strong travelling support.

Colchester’s task was made all the more difficult when Luke Chambers was given his marching orders following a foul on Offrande Zanzala. And Barrow swiftly took advantage of their numerical advantage – Ollie Banks scoring from the spot after Luke Hannant felled Stevens.

However, long-serving defender, Tom Eastman superbly headed home a Charlie Daniels flag-kick ten minutes from time to secure three valuable points, carrying the U’s within a whisker of the play-off places.

Barrow’s misery was compounded when James Jones followed Chambers down the tunnel following a swift second booking.

Colchester United return to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday, September 18 when Crawley Town visit the JobServe Community Stadium (3pm).

Barrow: Farman, Brough, Taylor (Sea 72’), Zanzala, Gordon (Kay 83’), Jones, Gotts, Grayson, Hutton, Banks, Stevens Subs not used: White, Lillis, Moloney, Arthur

Colchester United: George, Chambers, Smith, Wiredu, Hannant (Chilvers 76’), Skuse, Nouble, Judge (Eastman 67’), Sears (Tchamadeu 87’), Daniels, Coxe Subs not used: Turner, Dobra, Jasper, Kennedy

Referee: Simon Mather
Assistants: Joe Simpson and Alan Clayton
Fourth Official: Gary Hilton

Attendance: 2,430 (120 from Colchester)