Sammie Szmodics strike was something special – Colchester boss John McGreal

Posted Sunday, November 25, 2018 by PA

Colchester manager John McGreal praised the efforts of Sammie Szmodics as his seventh goal of the season earned the U’s a 1-1 draw with Exeter and moved them back into the automatic promotion spots in League Two.

Szmodics’ superb strike had given the U’s the lead after 67 minutes, but the visitors took a point from north Essex thanks to Jayden Stockley’s scrappy equaliser.

With results elsewhere going Colchester’s way, they reclaimed third spot in the table.

McGreal said after the game: “It was going to take something special to break the deadlock in today’s game and that was a terrific strike from Sammie.

“It came from some good build-up play and it’s a fantastic strike to beat their goalkeeper, who was excellent this afternoon.

“We’ve got Sammie back into form now and got him running around. He linked up well with Mikael Mandron and he was right in the thick of the game this afternoon.

“We created some good opportunities and moved the ball around excellently. I am really proud of my team today.”

Colchester had won their last four on home turf and looked like they might have been heading for all three points once again when they got their noses in front with Szmodics’ excellent goal.

His effort came after a series of chances in the first half for the U’s, including Szmodics forcing a good save out of City goalkeeper Christy Pym on 26 minutes and Ryan Jackson firing just wide on 36 minutes.

However, the visitors had chances of their own, with Tristan Abrahams having a shot on the turn deflected just wide on the stroke of half-time and goalscorer Stockley heading just over the bar after 56 minutes.

City remain in sixth place after Stockley’s equaliser and Grecians boss Matt Taylor was delighted with how his side battled back from behind.

“Full credit to my boys, they kept going to get something and the match could have gone either way in the end,” he said.

“That was a good League Two game today and both sides put pressure on each other without too many clear-cut chances, so credit to both defences.

“Their goal was some strike – Sammie was coming through when I was on loan here and I’m sure he’ll go on to bigger and better things.

“Our goal was probably at the other end of the spectrum and a really scrappy one, but Jayden showed real desire to get onto the end of it and finish it off.

“Coming to Colchester is always going to be a tough one, so I am happy with that point.”