Five talking points from Colchester United's 2-1 win over Leyton Orient

Job done

IT was a little bit close for comfort in the end but Colchester United got the job done.

That their game against Leyton Orient was in the balance until the very end was a surprise, given their dominant first-half display.

But the U’s got over the line which was important, not least in order to back up their superb midweek triumph at Swindon Town.

Colchester have now taken 13 points from their last six matches and lie just two points off the League Two play-off places.

A memorable moment

THINGS just keep getting better and better for Kwame Poku.

Only a few weeks ago, the 18-year-old was playing for Colchester’s under-23s.

Now, he has two professional league starts and a first-ever senior goal under his belt.

Poku is undoubtedly a talented young player and one of the most encouraging things about his performances so far is that he doesn’t seem at all fazed by his elevation to first-team status.

A rare mistake

DEAN Gerken has already played a significant role in helping Colchester United claim points this season, not least in contributing to their six clean sheets to date.

So the U’s goalkeeper can be forgiven for his uncharacteristic error in gifting Leyton Orient a goal just before half-time, in his team’s 2-1 win.

Gerken seemed a little thrown by Tom Eastman’s inadvertent touch in the area which prevented him from picking the ball up and ultimately paid the price.

But he has already made countless saves for the U’s this season since re-joining them from Ipswich Town in the summer and promises to be a key player for them, this season.

Fierce competition

COMPETITION for places at Colchester United is as fierce as it has been for some time.

The fact that Luke Gambin, Ryan Clampin and Noah Chilvers did not even make it onto the bench for their game against Leyton Orient says much about the tussle for places currently in evidence within John McGreal’s squad.

With the likes of Luke Norris, Jevani Brown and Tom Lapslie having to settle for a place among the substitutes, there is no doubt a healthy contest going on for a spot in McGreal’s starting line-up.

And when Harry Pell and Callum Harriott eventually return from injury, that competition will only get fiercer.

Hitting the right notes

IT was great to see famous Colchester United fan and legendary radio DJ Steve Lamacq at the JobServe Community Stadium for the Leyton Orient game – and to hear his familiar voice ring about the venue.

Lamacq, who read out the U’s team before kick-off, can often be seen watching his beloved Colchester from the away end up and down the country.

But along with his Stag group, he took on one of their home matches this time around, in the guise of the official Match Sponsor.

He marries Jen in London next month and watched the game with his fellow stags from the comfort of the sponsors’ Executive Suite.

The U’s victory will no doubt have made the day taste all the sweeter for Lamacq.