Matchday Memories: On This Day 2019 – See Sam & Shippers Secure Sky Blue Cup Success At U’s.

Jordan Shipley in the Sky Blue

On this day (9th November) just five years ago, in 2019, the Sky Blues under Mark Robins were in F.A.Cup action in Essex at the JobServe Community Stadium. Their first round opponents were Colchester United. First half goals from Jordan Shipley and Sam McCallum (both CCFPA members now) put CCFC through to the Second Round in a fairly comfortable 2-0 victory against the U’s. League One City were, of course, playing their ‘home’ games in exile at Birmingham City‘s St Andrew’s Stadium this season!

Sam McCallum in the Sky Blue

‘Shippers’ eleventh minute opener came from a close range lob over U’s keeper Dean Gherkin after a delightful floated ball from Jordan’s fellow CCFPA member Zain Westbrooke split the Colchester defences. The tie was virtually finished just after 26 minutes when the Colchester defence gave a free pass to a long range free kick from young full back Sam McCallum and it found its way through to nestle in the corner of the home team’s net!

Zain in the Sky Blue

Zain later hit the post and Shipper had another effort ruled out for offside both missing out on extending the Sky Blues’ lead. The 678 Sky Blue fans in the small crowd of just under three thousand (2,919) went home happy epecially since the Sky Blues’ had managed their first away win of the season! It was also their sixth game unbeaten whilst League Cup quarter-finalists Colchester had been beaten after three straight wins!

Sky Blue gaffer Mark Robins

Sky Blues (CCFPA members underlined):-

Ben Wilson, Fankaty Dabo, Dom Hyam, Kyle McFadzean, Michael Rose, Sam McCallum, Zain Westbrooke (sub. Josh Eccles -90+2), Liam Kelly (c), Liam Walsh, Jordan Shipley (sub. Callum O’Hare -74), and Amadou Bakayoko

Unused Subs: Declan Drysdale, Brandon Mason, Gervane Kastaneer, Will Bapaga and Cian Tyler (gk)

Interestingly Ben, Josh, Liam K and Will are still part of the Sky Blues first team matchday squad five years later!

Colchester United (managed by John McGreal):-

Dean Gerken, Ryan Jackson, Tom Eastman, Luke Prosser (c), Cohen Bramall, Brandon Comley, Ben Stevenson, Courtney Senior (Luke Norris -70), Kwame Poku (Omar Sowunmi -46), Callum Harriott (Luke Gambin -54), Frank Nouble Unused Subs: Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu, Tom Lapslie, Jevani Brown and Ethan Ross (gk).  Referee: Chris Sarginson

Frank Nouble in the Sky Blue

Ben Stevenson in the Sky Blue

Both now CCFPA members, former Sky Blue striker fom 2014-15 Frank Nouble was in the U’s side on this day (and kept quiet by the Sky Blues’ defence) and Ben Stevenson (unused on the bench) was also on CCFC’s books 2015-18!

The Sky Blues F.A.Cup adventure continued, after a 1-1 home second round stalemate against Ipswich Town, with a 2-1  victory over the Tractor Boys at Portman Road thanks to goals from ‘Shippers’ and (now CCFPA member) Max Biamou.

In the third round a three clear goal home replay victory over Bristol Rovers sufficed (after goalless draw at Eastville with the Gas). The fourth round (again involving a replay) saw us go out to near neighbours (and our landlords) Birmingham City. After a goalless ‘home’ tie the replay, also at St Andrews, saw the game go to penalties after the sides couldn’t be separated at full-time (1-1) and after extra time (2-2). The Brummagems outscored us on the spot-kicks by 4-1!

CCFC 2019-20 League One Champs

Richard Wood in the Sky Blue

As all true Sky Blues fans know well this fantastic playing season for the Sky Blues was truncated ten games early by the coronavirus health emergency. All’s well that ends well, however, as the season ended, quite rightly, with the Sky Blues being awarded the League One title.

After all, they were five points clear of the chasing pack with a game in hand on most. Runners up Rotherham United (then captained by former Sky Blue, and CCFPA member, Richard Wood) were also automatically promoted. Wycombe Wanderers joined them via the playoffs after making it into the top six via a goals per game adjustment.

It was Tranmere Rovers, Southend United and Bolton Wanderers who took the drop.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.