Frustration as U's game is called off

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's hopes of dragging themselves off the Championship basement were dashed by the weather this afternoon.

The U's home match against Hull City was called off because of a waterlogged pitch, following an inspection by referee Pat Miller at 12.50pm.

Heavy rain yesterday, overnight and this morning had left the Layer Road pitch in no fit state for play. No date has yet been finalised for the rearranged fixture.

Hull City, together with Colchester old boys Wayne Brown and Richard Garcia, had travelled down to Essex from Humberside on Friday morning, so they had a wasted journey.

The news was also frustrating for U's new signings Chris Coyne and Phil Ifil, who were expected to make their home debuts after impressing in the previous weekend's 1-1 draw at Bristol City.

Club skipper Karl Duguid was also back in the first-team squad after being rested for the Ashton Gate trip.

Midfielder Kevin Watson, who has only played once in the last two months because of a calf injury. has been back in training this week, although he was never going to feature against Hull.

Watson is some way off match-fitness, although he might enjoy a run-out for the Reserves at Norwich City on Monday evening.

The U's next scheduled first team game is at Barnsley on Tuesday week.

They have no game next weekend, due to their third round exit of the FA Cup at the hands of Peterborough. Likewise, Hull are also not in action next Saturday.

Today's postponement means that United are still lumbered with the worst home record in the Championship, having won just two of their 14 league and cup matches at Layer Road.

New assistant manager Kit Symons will also have to wait a little longer to make his first appearance in the dug-out, following his appointment as a successor to Micky Adams on Wednesday.