John McGreal lauds ‘clinical’ Colchester after victory over Cambridge

Colchester head coach John McGreal hailed his “clinical” side after they beat Cambridge 3-0 to move up to fourth in the League Two table.

Brennan Dickenson cleared Greg Taylor’s header off the line before the hosts took a 23rd-minute lead through Sammie Szmodics, who slotted in from close range after Luke Norris had helped on a ball into the area.

U’s keeper Dillon Barnes denied Jabo Ibehre before Frank Nouble raced onto Norris’s flick and drilled in to double Colchester’s lead 10 minutes before half-time.

Courtney Senior wrapped up Colchester’s win with 10 minutes remaining when he got the better of George Taft just inside the visitors’ half before slotting home.

McGreal said: “I’m delighted with the performance.

“I was really delighted for big Frank (Nouble) to get his goal and his work-rate has been fantastic for us – the fans are really appreciative as well.

“I thought we were very fortunate to go in 2-0 up at half-time.

“Going in 2-0 up at half-time, I’m a big believer in that it’s a fantastic scoreline and the next goal is important and thankfully, we got it.

“When we got in and around it, we were clinical with our finishing.

“And on the other side of it, Brennan Dickenson cleared two off the line, the keeper’s made a good save and we’ve put bodies on the line.

“When you’re on a bit of a run, you do get a bit of the rub of the green which we got at times today.

“But we played some fantastic football as well and we look a threat going forward.”

Cambridge manager Joe Dunne said his side were not ruthless enough, after they lost against his former club.

“The game was lost in both boxes,” said Dunne.

“It’s a recurring thing – I believe if you’re positive you can get through it but unfortunately, we’re getting the same errors and the same mistakes.

“At the moment, it’s symptomatic of a team that’s down the bottom of the league at the moment.

“We have to believe we’ll get out of it but we have to be more ruthless.

“Both of their first-half goals were scored when probably we were on top.

“We had one cleared off the line from a set play and then they go and get a goal.

“We had one great chance to make it 1-1, the keeper makes a great save and they went on the break and got a goal.

“Goals change the context of the game and it certainly did today, because in the first half I didn’t think there was too much between the two teams.”