Match Previews

Preview | Colchester United v Gillingham

13th November

Colchester United v Gillingham

Sky Bet League Two

JobServe Community Stadium

Saturday November 14, 2026

Kick-Off, 3pm

Team News:

Tom Eaves is close to returning to action, but Saturday could come too soon for the striker. Andy Smith will be assessed after going off during the first-half of Tuesday’s Jersey Mike’s Trophy victory over Northampton Town. Robbie McKenzie, who also went off during the fixture, is likely to sit out.

Conor McManus is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side.

Rob Hunt and Kaion Lisbie both went off during Colchester’s midweek EFL Trophy game. Lisbie is expected to miss a lengthy period of time due to a knee problem, while Hunt will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game.

Manager Comments:

Danny Cowley: “We anticipate a tough game. Their form has probably been better away than at home. They have certainly got a lot of good players.

“I think that we have had many good battles against Gareth’s teams when they were at Wycombe, and more recently at Gillingham. We know what to expect. They are a really aggressive and direct team. To be fair, this year they have mixed it up more than in previous years.”

Steven Craig: “We have studied them over the past three or four days. They are a proper footballing team. I think it's the way that their manager, [Danny] Cowley, likes them to play. I think that they are quite young this year, with a blend of experience.

“I think that their league position might not reflect their performances. It will be a really tough game. We just need to concentrate on what we can do.”

Steven’s exclusive with Gills TV can be seen here.

Previous Meetings:

Saturday’s meeting will be the 113th competitive fixture between the clubs. Colchester narrowly leads the head-to-head with 40 wins to Gillingham’s 38. There have also been 34 draws between the teams.

Gillingham beat ‘The U’s’ 1-0 in October 2017 in an EFL Trophy group stage tie. Elliott List had a good chance during the first-half when he latched onto Tom Eaves’ flick-on in behind. However, his shot towards the bottom left corner went just wide of the target.

Sean Clare would then be denied by Sam Walker’s excellent fingertip save, as his left-footed strike from distance that was flying towards the top corner was pushed over the crossbar.

The game’s defining moment came in the final stages, as Max Ehmer secured the win for Gillingham. The visitors had a free-kick 25 yards from the goal, with the ball positioned just to the right of the centre. Ehmer took the set piece, sending a low curling effort around the wall and into the bottom right corner, leaving Walker caught off guard.