COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd has called upon the residents of Essex to fill out the Weston Homes Community Stadium following their impressive win on Saturday.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd has called upon the residents of Essex to fill out the Weston Homes Community Stadium following their impressive win on Saturday.

Boothroyd - who has now taken two good away points and home victory in his first three games in charge - was given a rousing reception ahead of his first home match in charge on Saturday.

The U's strolled to a 2-0 victory over a Hartlepool United side that had previously gone four away games undefeated, however, the former Watford boss wants to see an improvement on a crowd of 4,259, with the 10,000 capacity stadium less than half full.

He said: “The reception I received before kick-off was very good. I'm sure that will keep going if we keep winning and if we don't it won't.

“First and foremost though we have got to fill this place. We'll be a good team to watch and we will get goals.

“It's early days but it's a good habit to have when you can score goals and not concede at the other end.”

Colchester dominated possession throughout this match and the comfort of their victory was not reflected by the 2-0 scoreline. However, perfectionist Boothroyd was keen to point out Hartlepool's two good counter attack opportunities in the first half.

“Ben (Williams) had to make a couple of good saves early on and I thought he did very well to keep us in it. After that we got the penalty and caused them a few problems but on another day we could have been 1-0 down.

“We knew they would be a threat on the counter attack so it was far from comfortable.

“Hartlepool are a very good side, they are very good away from home, but I thought we deserved it in the end.

“I've been here a few weeks now and there are some things that are not quite how I'd like them to be, but we will get there.

“It's been an eventful first few weeks, first there were two stretchered off and now we've had three penalties, so who knows what else is going to come.”

Boothroyd pitched both his two new loan signings of Danny Batth and Kayode Odejayi straight into the starting line up and both acquitted themselves well.

Boothroyd said: “Kay has come in and given us something a bit different. Clive (Platt) is big and strong and can bring players into play, but we've also got Kay who can run in behind and get goals. We've also got Kevin Lisbie and Steven Gillespie so I've got to be pleased with what I've got at the moment up front.

“I thought we did well all through the team. Danny (Batth) had a good debut and I thought John-Joe (O'Toole) was outstanding.”