COLCHESTER United's talented young defender John White was feeling tired but happy after a thunderous FA Cup tie, in energy-sapping conditions, at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's talented young defender John White was feeling tired but happy after a thunderous FA Cup tie, in energy-sapping conditions, at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

White has made the left-back role his own in recent weeks, and he produced another gutsy defensive performance on a sticky pitch at Gay Meadow.

The 19-year-old, a bit-part utility player during his first senior season last term, is enjoying a long run in the first team.

“I'm feeling more a part of the team. Before, I was in-and-out of the side,” admitted White after Saturday's 2-1 win at Gay Meadow.

“I'm no longer just a substitute waiting for my chance. But I'm aware that if any of us have a bad game, then we'll probably be out of the team. It's that competitive.

“We've now won our last seven games. It doesn't get much better than that! Confidence is understandably high, which is good for the team, but especially for me. I'm really thriving on this winning run.

“It was a boggy pitch today, and I'm feeling very tired after what was a hard game. Shrewsbury pinned us back for long periods of the afternoon.

“We could have been two or three goals up and out of sight before half time, yet they got their equaliser at a bad time for us.

“However, we started the second half strongly and got back ahead. We knew that we weren't playing badly,” added White.

Former youth teamer White deputised for injured team-mates in a variety of positions last season. He filled in at left-back, in central midfield and even at centre-half.

But his patience is now being rewarded with a good run in the side - he has started 14 of the U's last 16 fixtures.

“I got lucky, I admit that. George Elokobi was playing well at left-back, yet he then caught mumps and suddenly I had my chance,” continued local lad White, who was born at Great Totham.

“I was determined to take that chance, and now I just want to keep going. There are a lot of talented players on the bench, and not even in the squad, trying to get back in.

“This week is a big one for the club. We have away games at Hartlepool and Swansea, but if we want to achieve anything this season, then we need to keep our good run going,” added White.