COLCHESTER United slammed home four quality goals to sink Sheffield Wednesday without a trace at a buzzing Layer Road last night, and so leapfrog into 10th in the Championship table.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United slammed home four quality goals to sink Sheffield Wednesday without a trace at a buzzing Layer Road last night, and so leapfrog into 10th in the Championship table.

U's boss Geraint Williams could not praise his players high enough for what was a stunning performance. Jamie Cureton, Greg Halford, Chris Iwelumo and Karl Duguid were the deadly marksmen, but last night was all about a heroic team performance.

“I've told the lads to enjoy this win. I won't be bringing them down from the ceiling just yet,” admitted Williams, who was crowned the manager-of-the-month in September.

“It may have been 4-0, but it certainly wasn't easy. The lads really had to work for this result, and they are all shattered. However, all the hard work has been worthwhile.

“Naturally, I'm absolutely delighted, but I'm not surprised with the way that we're playing. There were so many positives to come out of the game, not least the clean-sheet, because we were finding those difficult to come by at the start of the season.

“To score four goals at home was terrific, and they were all quality goals. All-round, this has been a great night for the club.

“I thought of changing the side, after the defeat at Wolves on Saturday, because there are other players pushing for places, but I thought the lads in the team deserved to stay there.

“We won the physical side first, and we did this even better in the second-half.

“Confidence is high, but we must remember that three or four bad results and we will be back down the table again.

“However, we're going to enjoy this night for a while,” added Williams.

Cureton netted his 150th career league goal to put the U's ahead in the 28th minute, and a sensational 30-yarder from Halford put the hosts two-up early in the second-half.

Iwelumo obliged with the third goal, thanks to a thumping shot from the edge of the box on 61 minutes, and Duguid completed the rout with a similar long-range shot in the 84th minute.

Under-fire Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock hit out at his team.

“The players have to stand up and be counted after that performance,” he said.

“MacLean's missed chance was the turning point in the game. We were not good enough and we have let the fans down.

“There can be no excuses for us. Too many times people have been pointing the finger at injuries and suspensions.

“But it has now come to the point where we have to bring in the players who have the heart and commitment to play for my team.”