Colchester United writer Carl Marston recalls a goal-scoring home debut for a U’s striker during a 1-0 win over Yeovil Town from a midweek fixture on November 25, 2008.
Jermaine Easter crowned his U’s home debut with the only goal of the game to sink the Glovers at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, more than nine years ago.
This was the U’s first season back in League One, after their two years in the Championship, and also their first campaign at their new ground.
In fact, this was only the U’s second-ever win at the Community Stadium, from 10 starts – Geraint Williams’ men had certainly struggled to adapt to their new surroundings during the first four months of the season.
Man of the moment Easter conjured up his deadly finish in the 54th minute, making it a night to remember for the Plymouth Argyle loanee striker.
Fellow front-runner Clive Platt nodded down midfielder David Perkins’ swirling cross, and there was Easter to gleefully hook home the ball from 10 yards out.
It capped an impressive evening for Easter, although the crowd of just 3,214 that turned up to watch it was a disappointing figure.
In the build-up to the game, skipper Chris Coyne had called on the U’s “to win ugly,” and that’s just what they did. It certainly wasn’t pretty, Coyne playing his part in defence.
U’s squad (v Yeovil, Nov 25, 2008): Gerken, Ifil (sub Reid, 46), Baldwin, Coyne, Jackson, Yeates, Hammond, Izzet (sub Wordsworth, 46), Perkins, Platt (sub Vernon, 66), Easter. Unused subs: Cousins, Wasiu.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here