Danny Cowley proud as Colchester grind out win over gutsy non-league Worcester

Colchester boss Danny Cowley was satisfied with his team’s overall performance after they beat spirited Southern League Premier Central side Worcester City 1-0 to progress to the FA Cup second round.

Jaden Williams scored the hosts’ 32nd-minute winner, pouncing after Jack Payne’s shot was blocked.

Cowley said: “I was so proud of the group, we played really well. We played exactly how we wanted to.

“We opened up the pitch, we dragged their centre-half out, we knew that they would be quite man to man which is never easy to play against, so you have to make sure you’re tactically right.

“We created so many chances and probably our only criticism is that we weren’t more clinical and ruthless.

“I think if we’d found the second one, we’d have probably found a third, fourth and fifth.

“Chris Cornes should be really proud of his team. Credit to them, they fought for everything and they were a credit to themselves, to their families and a credit to the football club.

“They thoroughly deserved the ovation they got at the end from the Worcester City supporters.”

Worcester boss Chris Cornes said: “It was only 1-0 but if I’m being realistic and honest about it, it could have been four or five.

“They’ve hit the bar and then Cristiano [Dzialuk] has made a save straight after that and maybe two one-on-ones.

“Yes, we’ve had a chance towards the end and Zac [Guinan] has got to hit the target.

“That might have changed it at 1-1 and it would have been a bit squeaky bum time for them with a few boos from their fans if we’d have scored, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“It wasn’t for the want of trying but they’re League Two – they do things every day and you could see with the rotations and how they got out from their keeper in the first half.

“We gave the lads a bit of information at half-time on how to stop that and it didn’t happen in the second half, so I’m proud of how the lads took that on.”