A single goal seperates the sides this afternoon in Essex.
Having took a point from their last game the Valiants were hoping for four points from a possible six to end the week on a high. David Worrall had our first chance of the game on four minutes after some poor defending from the hosts. Worrall latched onto a loose ball in the area but his shot crashed into the side netting.
United were unbeaten in two coming into this game and were looking to build on their short unbeaten run. Freddie Sears took the ball into the area in the 9th minute but he had his shot saved by Thomas Holy.
Harry Charsley made his first start for the Valiants and came close to scoring after a great breakaway started by the midfielder on 29 minutes. He continued into the area and tried to find the bottom left corner of the goal but Shamal George did well to keep hold of the strike.
Just a minute later Sears was in again for Colchester, he turned his man just outside of the six-yard area and tried a curling effort towards goal but it just went wide of the far post.
Jamie Proctor was brought on early in the second half and he had his first chance a minute before the hour mark. He brought the ball down well, around 25-yards out, and ran towards goal but his right-footed shot went wide.
On 82 minutes it was Proctor again who received the ball from Charsley but from a similar position to his first effort it too went wide.
The Valiants failed to convert their chances and in the end, they paid the price following a corner. Tom Dallison headed home unmarked from the set-piece to give the hosts the lead in the final ten minutes. Proctor almost replied immediately bringing down a cross brilliantly onto his right foot but George in goal matched it with a good save.
We failed to create a chance in the final minutes meaning the three points stayed in Essex.
Colchester United | George, Chambers, Wiredu, Hannant, Sears (88’ Smith), Chilvers, Dallison, Kenlcok, Coxe, Huws (75’ Akinde), Wright (73’ Tchamadeu)
Subs | Hornby, Andrews, Eastman, Marshall-Miranda
Port Vale | Holy, Smith, Martin, Hall, Worrall, Garrity, Charsley, Hussey (72’ Benning), Cooper (53’ Proctor), Wilson (63’ Harratt), Edmondson
Subs | Stone, Walker, Pett, Hurst