Match Preview: Colchester United

23 March 2023

Tranmere Rovers are back on the road as they visit the JobServe Community Stadium, home of Colchester United, this Saturday afternoon.

Last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Newport County was to be the last game of Micky Mellon's reign in charge as he was relieved of his duties the day after.

Mellon, who enjoyed five spells at Rovers across his playing and management career, will be fondly remembered by the majority of fans for his back-to-back promotions, from the National League to League One in two seasons.

The Tranmere side, who will be managed by Ian Dawes and Andy Parkinson, take on a struggling Colchester side who need a win to steer further away from the drop zone.

Rovers have won 25 and drew 21 of the 64 matches between the two teams – the last coming in August when the whites beat United by two goals to nil at Prenton Park.

Colchester come into the game following a two-all draw against Leyton Orient on Saturday – however have won just 4 games from 18 at home this season.

One To Watch: Alex Newby

Alex Newby is a 27-year-old midfielder who has played for Colchester United since the summer of 2022.

Newby started out at Bolton Wanderers as a youth player, before moving back to his hometown of Barrow, where he signed his first professional deal back in 2015.

He spent the season on loan at non-league side, Kendal Town, before joining Clitheroe in 2016, where he spent two years.

He got his break back into professional football in 2018 at Chorley, where he played 88 times and scored 21 goals, forming a key part in the heart of the Magpies midfield.

He made the move to Rochdale in 2020 and scored 12 in 74 appearances, before moving to Colchester on a free transfer last summer.

He has since scored 3 goals and got 2 assists in 29 games – with a 63% shot accuracy.

The Manager: Ben Garner

Colchester United Head Coach, Ben Garner, was appointed the ‘U’s’ boss in March 2023.

He kicked off his professional coaching career at Crystal Palace in 2004, being the Head Coach of a team in the Academy – starting at U11’s and working his way up to U18’s Head Coach – bringing the likes of Wilfred Zaha, Victor Moses and Aaron Wan-Bissaka through the clubs academy.

He was promoted to First Team Coach in 2012 under Ian Holloway, where he earned promotion to the Premier League, and despite the departure of Holloway, remained first Team coach under Tony Pulis, Neil Warnock and Alan Pardew.

He later left Selhurst Park to join up with former boss, Tony Pulis, at West Brom – eventually being promoted from Coach to Assistant Manager in 2016.

He then made his move to India, as Assistant Manager of ATK, before his contract expired and he made his first step into management as boss of Bristol Rovers in late-2019.

He was later sacked in November 2020, after a tough year with COVID, and was appointed as Swindon Town Manager less than six months later. He worked wonders with Town, leading them to the play-off semi-final, before being beat on penalties.

The following year, he was made Charlton Athletic boss, where he picked up just 3 defeats in his opening 15 games, as well as leading them into the third round of the EFL Cup, where he beat QPR, before losing out to Manchester United. He was later sacked as the club entered a period of potential takeover.

In March, he was appointed boss of Colchester United. Garner has a reputation of playing attacking, possession based football, and has picked up 46 wins and 35 draws in a managerial career spanning 123 games – meaning a win percentage of 37.4%.

How to watch Colchester United vs Tranmere Rovers?

Due to the international break, Saturday's game is available to watch on live in both the UK and overseas supporters.

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How can I listen to live commentary of Colchester United v Tranmere Rovers?

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Colchester United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers

25 March 2023

Tranmere Rovers picked up a hard fought point on the road against Colchester United on Saturday afternoon.

Harvey Saunders’ early goal was cancelled out by Noah Chilvers’ second half penalty to ensure that the spoils were shared in Essex.

Rovers started off in a positive fashion as Joel Mumbongo combined with Harvey Saunders before the latter had a low shot saved inside the box.

The home side fired some early warning signs of their own when Joe Murphy reacted well to tip Tovide’s low shot around his post.

It wasn’t long before Tranmere opened the scoring at the JobServe Community Stadium. On the 12th minute, Harvey Saunders latched onto a precise ball in behind by Josh Hawkes before rounding O’Hara and smashing the ball into an empty net to grab his first goal since in a Rovers shirt.

Tranmere went close to doubling their lead when Chris Merrie met Rhys Hughes’ front post corner which forced O’Hara to save sharply down to his right hand side.

Colchester had a glorious opportunity to restore parity just after the half hour when Tom Hopper reacted quickly to a deflected cross but he somehow diverted his snapshot off target from close range.

Hopper had another chance to test Joe Murphy again when Rovers lost the ball on the edge of their own box but the big striker couldn’t keep his effort down and on target.

It was a slower start to the second period from both sides and it took until the 55th for a chance of note. Joel Mumbongo unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards which stayed hit but whistled past the post.

Just past the hour mark, the home side won a penalty. A long ball into the box resulted in Josh Dacres-Cogley and Tom Hopper going to ground after a tussle and the referee pointed to the spot. Noah Chilvers stepped up and despite Murphy getting a hand to it, equalised for the U’s.

With ten minutes left on the clock, a cross from Dacres-Cogley fell kindly for Lee O’Connor at the far post but his left footed strike was parried away by O’Hara.

Freddie Sears had a good sight of goal in the closing stages but his volley didn’t have the connection he would have liked and Murphy gratefully gathered.

With seven minutes added on, both sides looked liked they could grab a winner. Regan Hendry drove forward with the ball before threading a pass to Jake Burton who could only find the sitting netting with his shot.

The referee sounded his whistle and both sides were forced to settle for a point each which, on the balance of play, was a fair result.

Tranmere team: Murphy, Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow, Merrie, Hughes (O’Connor 45’), Hendry, Hawkes (Turner-Cooke 71’), Mumbongo (Burton 77’), Saunders (Chalmers 90’)

Unused subs: Hewelt, Hoti, Taylor

Match Reports

Ticket News

Colchester United ticket sales

23 March 2023

Tickets for our away fixture against Colchester United on Saturday 25th March are now on sale.

Please note that the earlier you buy your tickets, the cheaper they are. They are priced as follows:

Buying up to three weeks in advance:

Adults: £17.50

Concessions: £12.50

U18: £9.75

Carer: Free of charge

Buying 3-1 weeks in advance:

Adults: £19

Concessions: £13.50

U18: £10.25

Carer: Free of charge

One week in advance:

Adults: £20.50

Concessions: £15.50

U18: £11.75

Carer: Free of charge

Matchday price:

Adult: £22.50

Concessions: £17.50

U18: £13.75

Carer: Free of charge

The JobServe Community Stadium is a cashless stadium and all tickets are to be printed at home or shown on your mobile device.

Tickets can be bought online from Colchester’s website by clicking here.

Coach travel is also available and will depart Prenton Park at 8am. Those tickets are £39 for members and £51 for non members. You can book your seat in TRFC Store or online by clicking here.