JUST as it had for his predecessor eight months earlier, Steve Ball’s tenure as Colchester United’s head coach was ultimately ended with a defeat by Exeter City.

Defeat against the Grecians in the play-offs had prompted the departure of John McGreal; after a 2-1 home defeat against the same opponents last night, the U’s were dragged closer to the League Two drop zone, prompting chairman and owner Robbie Cowling to act.

For the second time in the space of a year, Colchester are now looking for a new boss following Ball’s exit after less than seven months in charge.

He had made a solid start to his time as U’s head coach in difficult circumstances, amid the backtrop of the pandemic.

But a 13-game winless run has left them in 21st position, two places and nine points above the bottom two.

They had resided in the play-off positions before Christmas but have not won a game since beating Scunthorpe United, on December 8.

It has been a worrying and rapid descent down the table for Colchester, over the last couple of months, something that Ball has ultimately paid for with his job.

Halstead Gazette:

The appointment

Steve Ball was unveiled as Colchester’s new head coach on July 28, having previously worked alongside McGreal for four years as assistant manager.

"Part of my role here in the last four years was to build up that relationship with the players,” he told the assembled media, upon his appointment.

"You earn respect from how you work and coach and I like to think I have good bonds with the players.

"I'm sure that will continue, but they have to be prepared to work hard."

Having been born in the town and played and coached at the club, taking over as the U’s head coach was a dream role for Ball.

It was by no means an easy challenge, though.

In a season with the majority of games being played behind closed doors, Ball had to deal with a reduced budget and the departure of a number of first-team regulars including skipper Luke Prosser, Frank Nouble and Ryan Jackson, amid the backdrop of financial restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

It was something acknowledged by chairman Robbie Cowling last summer, after he had chosen Ball as McGreal’s successor.

“Steve was a natural choice for Colchester United to make because as well as being an excellent coach, he knows the club inside out having started as an Academy coach,” said the U’s supremo.

"He also understands the demands of the first team, having been John McGreal’s assistant for the last four seasons.

“Steve is taking the reins as first team coach at a pivotal time for the club. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic has forced Colchester United into releasing a number of senior players that I’m sure Steve would have liked us to have kept.

“Steve is likely to have to deal with issues that no First Team Coach or Manager before him has had to endure.

"However, our club is not alone and I trust that everyone is appreciative of our situation and will give Steve their full support.”

Halstead Gazette:

A solid start

Pre-season results were not particularly encouraging for Colchester but they got off to a decent start in League Two, going five games unbeaten at the start of the season.

Wins over the likes of Forest Green Rovers, Harrogate Town and Leyton Orient followed but performances did not always match the results and there were times when the U’s were rather fortunate to secure the three points.

Nevertheless, by December the U’s were residing in the play-off positions, helped by a run of one defeat in six matches.

Ball had combined this with serving one of his key remits of providing a pathway for academy players into the first team, with Noah Chilvers establishing himself as a regular starter.

In total, Ball handed senior debuts to seven academy players during his tenure – Junior Tchamadeu, Marley Marshall, Sammie McLeod, Miquel Scarlett, Harvey Sayer and Samson Tovide.

Halstead Gazette:

Warning signs

Despite Colchester’s solid form in the league in the opening months of the season, their progress received a severe jolt when they were beaten at home by eighth-tier non-league outfit Marine in the FA Cup, crashing out on penalties.

It was a humbling experience for Ball and the U’s as they lost out 5-3 on penalties to their Northern Premier League Division One North West opponents, after the tie had finished 1-1 after extra-time at the JobServe Community Stadium.

It was a big blow, particularly given the financial benefits a cup win would have brought in a difficult climate.

“It's a blow to go out and I didn't see that level (of performance) coming today,” said Ball afterwards.

“It was a really poor day for us and I don’t think we really got going at all.

“Obviously whatever level you play, if you don’t play at the level you can you’re going to get hurt and we’ve been hurt today.”

Halstead Gazette:

Devon drubbing

Little more than a fortnight later, things got even worse for Colchester.

They were thrashed 6-1 at Exeter City at St James Park, the venue for their play-off disappointment a few months earlier.

It was a truly miserable night for the U’s, one where they were completely outclassed by their rampant hosts.

Colchester actually recovered well from the disappointment, taking seven points from a possible nine in their next three matches – but the decline started to set in after that.

Goal drought

Colchester’s inability to find the net on a regular basis proved one of the main reasons for Ball’s departure.

A return of four goals in their last ten games was a meagre return and has cost the U’s – and Ball – dearly.

Prior to that, it had been Colchester’s defensive mistakes and more specifically, their inability to defend set pieces that had proved more damaging.

Halstead Gazette:

Long winless run

It proved to be unlucky 13 for Ball after Colchester’s defeat, last night.

The U’s alarming decline down the table continued with their 2-1 loss to Exeter City but in truth, it was their poor results that had preceded that reverse that ultimately led to his departure.

Defeats against the likes of Southend United, Scunthorpe United and Crawley Town piled the pressure on and prompted strong criticism of performances from supporters.

Talking tactics

In keeping with the club’s established approach from previous seasons, Colchester predominantly played a 4-2-3-1 formation under Ball.

It seemed to work initially, with Jevani Brown’s switch to a number nine proving particularly productive in the opening months of the season.

But then the goals dried up, prompting increasing calls for the U’s to switch their system and play with two main forwards.

That was the case in the U’s 1-0 defeat at Crawley Town last weekend, with transfer window signings Frank Nouble and Aramide Oteh paired in attack.

But it did not produce a goal and Ball reverted back to Nouble as his main forward, for the Exeter game.

Halstead Gazette:

The verdict

Few managers these days survive a winless run stretching 13 matches and Ball was no exception.

It is a real shame that it has not worked out for him, given his desire to succeed in the role and his affection for the club and the town.

But after the U’s alarming slide down the table, chairman Cowling felt he had to act last night.

Needless to say, with 17 games to go, they must somehow find a way to arrest their decline and pick up some points, in order to move away from the relegation zone.