Colchester Calling...

Well, well, well... this FA Cup is the gift that keeps on giving. Another incredible game between two sides giving it absolutely everything in the best competition in the world. This time Colchester out-fought Altrincham 3-2 with a last minute winner by Callum Harriott. A brilliant advert for the FA Cup.

For the first time since the 2nd Qualifying Round, all three of the lads were back together, this time for the 121 mile journey to the Weston Homes Community Stadium (another catchy stadium name). After watching the FA Cup games on Friday night and Saturday afternoon we were ready to watch some classic cup football.

We rocked up at the ground early enough to investigate what Colchester had to offer. The 'Legends Lounge' seemed awfully quiet and for a bit we pondered what a Colchester United legend actually was.

But soon enough we found the club shop which gave Liam a perfect excuse to look like a prat as he modelled the Colchester United away kit.

Who ate all the pies?

They have invented seats since our last game!

2pm seemed an odd time for kick-off and without a chance to grab some lunch at home we walked all the way around the stadium to try and find a burger van. After walking around two-thirds of the ground we stumbled across some of the weirdest pre-match entertainment. On a sleepy Sunday afternoon Colchester had decided to book a heavy-metal band who were playing from the inside of a container. The locals looked bemused by the whole thing whilst we quickly moved on in search of some lunch.

Nearing kick-off there was a sense of quiet confidence by the U's fans but there was nothing much quiet about the travelling support who were enjoying a bit of a FA Cup party in Essex.

The game itself was a belter and started off in lightning pace with a wonder goal from Jake Moult who put the underdogs ahead in three minutes with a 30 yard lob. I seriously doubt we will see a better goal in our FA Cup story.

Colchester levelled ten minutes later in an incredibly open first half which saw both teams go close to taking the lead again.

The second-half had barely even begun when Michael Rankine (former York City forward) put Alty ahead once more. Were Altricham going on a giant-killing once again, surely not?

But again Colchester were quick to level when Tom Lapslie headed in from short-range.

The second-half continued to produce chances for both teams but neither could grab a winner. Heading into injury-time the lads were debating whether they could make it to Altrincham for the Tuesday night replay.

Just as I had decided that I was going to take an extra day off work to make it up to Altrincham, Callum Harriott (who had been excellent all game) fired in a winner from for Colchester. It was so cruel on Altricham who deserved at least a draw out of the game but the lads didn't mind as they cheered with the rest of the home support chanting "We don't have to go to a replay!"

As I said Altrincham played superbly and it seemed really harsh to cheer the favourites as the dumped out a minnow (46 places below them). The Alty players had given it their all and were left sitting down on the pitch with the heads in their hands.

The lads with Eddie the Eagle

The journey back was filled with dreams of who Colchester will face in the Third Round. Whilst an away trip to either Birmingham or Middlesbrough (our own teams) would be fun, we couldn't help hope for a tie at Old Trafford or Anfield.

Up the U's!