With Clive Platt failing a late fitness test prior to the game, it was the task of young Irishman, Paul Heffernan to replace the Pie’s no.1 aerial target man with a performance that earned him glowing reviews ahead of next Saturday’s home visit of Bournemouth.
Whilst two key figures in terms of physique and experience both made their return to the first-team as Steve Jenkins and Ian Richardson were placed at right and left back, respectively. Dearden also included home grown talent in the form of Paul Riley out on the left flank.
With the game still short of 8 minutes old, Paul Heffernan found himself with a genuine opportunity to take an early lead, and so it would have been albeit for a diving save from ‘keeper, Simon Brown.
Ian Baraclough found his crossed being blocked on the 15 minute mark, shortly after what seemed to be a stone-wall penalty claimed was turned down when Paul Heffernan was bundled over in the area.
Soon after and the U’s top goal-scorer, Scott McGleish of the new campaign found himself in the referee’s bad books for his foul on County midfielder, Darren Caskey.
Paul Heffernan marked his first start amongst the senior team with a goal in a bizarre incident between U’s goalkeeper, Simon Brown and his defender which allowed ‘Heffs’ to nip in between the pair to lob the keeper and subsequently clinch his second goal of the campaign.
Chris Fagan soon followed McGleish into Mr. S. Mathieson’s book for his involvement on a tackle nothing short of disgraceful on experienced midfielder, Ian Baraclough after 33 minutes.
Baraclough was once again in amongst it when he found himself with a half-chance just before the break – one which he could only manage to drive inches wide of the target.
HALF TIME: NOTTS COUNTY 1-0 Colchester United
As the second half kicked off it appeared as though the U’s were starting to settle down, something which could possibly have unnerved Dearden’s Notts side or on the contrary forced them to step their game up a gear. Thankfully for the Notts faithful it was the latter that occurred as a Notts side lead by captain, Steve Jenkins hushed a weak looking Colchester United line up.
Paul Riley, who was like Heffernan only restored to the Magpie’s line-up due to injuries and suspensions, constantly looked a threat out on the left wing as he persistently ripped apart and subsequently sucked centre backs out of position on numerous to create space for Stallard and Heffernan in the centre – all this despite being a natural left-back, not bad, eh?
An in-swinging Darren Caskey corner saw Nick Fenton with a near post flick on – but play was then stopped as Fenton had unquestionably climbed upon the shoulders of his Colchester counterpart.
Caskey, who was playing a blinder by his somewhat humble standards, found himself with the chance to extend the Magpies lead, but he rushed his shot and Simon Brown was able to parry his effort away on 61 minutes.
Simon Baldry then was replaced by Michael Brough who had failed to make the starting XI due to an injury problem after 70 minutes.
Ian Baraclough was then booked for ‘persistent fouling’ following a foul on Colchester’s, Thomas Pinault.
With 76 minutes played, Paul Riley reached a personal milestone as he marked his twenty-first birthday, which he celebrated last Monday, with a goal with a superb chest control before drilling a left-footed volley high into the Colchester United net before running to celebrate with the fans in the Jimmy Sirrel.
Then on the 86th minute mark, Paul Heffernan struck home his second and County’s third of the afternoon – putting the game beyond all doubt. Mark Stallard threaded an articulated through-ball in the path of the youngster who by this stage was already well on the way to goal when he tucked home his third of the season from the tightest of angles.
In a tactical move on Billy Dearden’s part saw captain, Steve Jenkins replaced by relatively out-of-favour Kevin Nicholson with just one minute of normal time left on the clock.
With Mark Stallard frustratingly being unable to score, for once, he had time to redeem himself [as though it were necessary!?!] with one of the designated two minutes of stoppages being played – but even he could not keep his head as he blazed the effort clean over the cross-bar.
Then Dearden executed one of his trademark last minute substitutions which seemed only fit to serve one purpose – to allow, for me, man of the match Paul Riley the chance to gain a well deserved standing ovation from the 4,187 Notts fans in attendance today as he was replaced by another hot-prospect – Shane McFaul.
FULL TIME: NOTTS COUNTY 3-0 Colchester United
With the Magpies gaining their first home of the 2003/04 campaign, a clean sheet and three goals for their account it can only mean confidence is high in the Notts camp as the Magpies try to make up for their poor form which has left them with a crippling goal difference of minus twelve.
The day belonged to Notts County goal-scorers Paul Riley and Paul Heffernan after both put in creditable performances that were sufficient enough to end Colchester’s run of eight-match without defeat.
Match Ratings to follow.