Colchester United writer CARL MARSTON recalls a U’s 1-0 home win over today’s visitors, Barnet, back on October 15, 1996.

Substitute Chris Fry, an old-fashioned winger, celebrated his 100th league appearance for the U’s with a stunning winner against battling Barnet at Layer Road in a midweek clash.

Fry was introduced as a 68th minute substitute, by manager Steve Wignall, and his pace helped to break the deadlock on a night when the hosts had puffed and puffed without threatening to end the stalemate.

Fry, the former Hereford United winger, set his sights 25 yards from goal with a first-time shot which flew over Bees keeper Mark Taylor and into the top corner of the net.

The shot seemed to take a deflection off the boot of Jamie Campbell, but it was still a goal worthy of winning any match.

Fry couldn’t have timed his second goal of the season any better, because it was the ideal way to celebrate his century of league outings for the Essex club.

Otherwise, the U’s had keeper Carl Emberson to thank for preserving the three points. Emberson made a string of breathtaking saves to keep the Bees at bay.

The U’s sat 13th in the Division Three table (fourth tier), three places behind the Bees after 13 games. Fulham were top of the table.

U’s team (v Barnet, Oct 15, 1996): Emberson, Dunne, Betts, McCarthy, Greene, Cawley, Gregory, Kelly (sub Fry, 68), Whitton, Duguid (sub Reinelt, 68), Wilkins. Unused sub: Adcock.

Attendance: 2,732