Salop are back on home soil this weekend as we welcome Danny Cowley’s Colchester United to the Croud Meadow.

Here’s everything you need to know about today's opponents ahead of the game.  

Key Players 

Colchester’s standout player last campaign was goalkeeper Matt Macey. The talented shotstopper kept 21 clean sheets last season, finishing second behind Wimbledon’s Owen Goodman in the final league table.  

Starting in front of Macey will be former Town defender Tom Flannagan. The 33-year-old brings plenty of experience to the field, and Salop fans will know exactly what to expect from him this afternoon.  

Colchester fans will also be hoping to see more of Jack Payne on Saturday. The former Charlton and Swindon star was handed his first start of the season against Oxford midweek after picking up a knock in pre-season. He was a key attacking outlet for Colchester last season, scoring eight goals and getting ten assists in 42 games.  

The Manager 

Danny Cowley is one of the league’s most experienced managers. The 46-year-old took charge at Colchester in January 2024 after a year out of management. Prior to joining the Essex club, he had a two-year spell at Portsmouth, which saw them finish just outside the play-offs in his first season and then finish tenth in his second.  

Cowley has previously won League Two, having guided Lincoln to the title in the 2018/19 season. He also won the National League with the Imps in 2016/17, and the EFL Trophy in 2017/18, defeating us 1-0 in the final.  

He is now entering his second full season at Colchester, having guided the U's to a tenth-place finish last season, missing the play-offs by three points.  

Form  

Colchester’s two opening fixtures have both ended in 1-1 draws. They snatched a late draw at home to Tranmere on the opening day before having an early goal from Jack Tucker cancelled out just before half-time against Oldham at Boundary Park last weekend. The U's travelled to Championship side Oxford United in the League Cup, with an early goal condemning them to a 1-0 defeat.  

Head-to-Head Record  

Salop have a long history with Colchester United, with our first clash taking place at Layer Road in 1951. We have had the better of the U's over the years, winning 23 to their 16, with 12 games ending in a draw.  

Colchester have a notable place in our club’s history, with our first competitive win at the Croud Meadow coming against them in the League Cup in 2007.