Newport County welcome Colchester United to Rodney Parade this Saturday (07 Mar) in EFL League Two.
Colchester currently sit 12th in the league, but only sit seven points away from the playoffs.
Here’s all you need to know about our Essex opposition...
The History
The U’s were founded in March 1937 after former club Colchester Town refused to turn professional.
However, in December 1937, Colchester United made a reserve team in which most of Town’s players joined which contributed towards the team folding.
Colchester were the Southern League Champions in 1939 before the Second World War, and after the war produced one of the best runs by a non-league side in the FA Cup reaching the Fifth Round.
In 1950, The U’s were elected to the Football League and in their first season finished second, missing out by goal difference to Merthyr Tydfil.
By the 1989/90 season, financial trouble made the Essex-based club fall out of the English League, but they remained a full-time outfit.
It only took United a couple seasons to gain promotion back to the Football League, winning the FA Trophy in the same season.
The U’s continued to be successful and eventually reached the Championship in the 2006/07 season, solidifying themselves in a mid-table position.
During this season, Colchester also won the Pride of Anglia title for the first time in their history, awarded to the highest-placed team from the region.
However, they could not replicate their success in their second season, finishing bottom of the league and facing relegation.
In recent years, Colchester had a successful EFL Cup run in the 2019-20 season after they defeated Tottenham Hotspur on penalties.
Despite this, they were ultimately knocked out by Manchester United in the Quarter-Final, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford.
The Form
The start of the season for Colchester was one for fans to forget as The U’s only won one of their first ten league games of the season.
However, results did change as wins against Chesterfield, Grimsby and Harrogate saw promise.
The U’s have lost three of their last five fixtures, narrowly losing to Salford and Barrow as well as suffering a three-goal defeat to Chesterfield.
During this time, they have managed to draw against promotion challengers Cambridge and heavily defeated Barnet 4-1.
In the Vertu Trophy, Colchester topped their group, but couldn’t advance past the Round of 32.
The Manager
Danny Cowley has experienced more than a fair share of recent success.
The London-born manager has managed a series of EFL clubs throughout his career, such as Portsmouth, Huddersfield Town, and most noticeably Lincoln City.
Cowley first began his career at Concord Rangers alongside Danny Scopes, where they would be promoted twice in three seasons.
His best stint was at Lincoln, where he would get the club back into EFL football and was promoted to League One, as well as winning the EFL Trophy.
During his two-year tenure in Essex, he has managed 114 matches in which he has won 40 averaging 1.4 points per game.
The Captain
Tom Flanagan is the current listed captain for The U’s, although has only featured on the bench in their last three matches.
The defender has featured for many clubs during his lengthy career, including four seasons at Burton Albion and Sunderland.
The centre-back also played three seasons at Shrewsbury Town before joining Colchester in 2024.
Furthermore, Flanagan has also played at international level with Northern Ireland, making 13 appearances for his country.
Ones To Watch
Jack Payne is the U’s biggest danger man this season.
Payne is currently the joint top goalscorer for Colchester in the league this season, as well as leading the assists chart with five.
The midfielder last scored against Barnet, where Payne registered a hat-trick.
The Englishman also scored against County in our previous fixture.
Another one of Colchester’s deadliest players this season is Kyreece Lisbie.
Lisbie has scored ten goals this season as well as providing four assists, being a constant threat on the wing.
Son of former footballer Kevin, Kyreece first joined the club in 2024 after playing for Braintree Town the season before.
Lisbie also scored last time out against The Exiles.