Luke Garbutt Report (vs Sheffield Utd)

It was FA Cup First Round football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium today and Colchester United’s opponents were Nigel Clough’s Sheffield United. Clough of course recently replacing the sacked David Weir as manager.

Roberto Martinez had given permission for Luke Garbutt to play in this FA Cup game (making him Cup-tied for any future Everton FA Cup games this season) and the 20-year-old began the game at left back, making his 10th consecutive start for Colchester United.

Sheffield United got off to the better start and their dominance paid off when they scored two goals in as many minutes early on in the first half. The second goal came from Garbutt’s left hand side. I won’t say Garbutt was to blame exactly but none the less it was his side and as such you cannot help but look at the positioning of Garbutt.

Once they were 0-2 down, Colchester finally turned up and started moving forward looking for a way back into the game. Luke Garbutt was at the forefront of most of this and he whipped in a really good cross which fellow youngster MaCauley Bonne headed just over.

Luke Garbutt also had a freekick in the first half which came close to getting Colchester back into the game. The first half ended with Colchester two goals down and they pretty much deserved to be. Garbutt was one of Colchester’s better players but that wasn’t saying much considering how bad they were in that first half.

I’m guessing at half-time, manager Joe Dunne delivered some late bonfire fireworks in the dressing room because Colchester were much improved in the second half.

Ryan Dickson came on as a half time substitute to reclaim his usual left back position (Garbutt was originally brought to Colchester as cover while Dickson suffered from an unknown virus) but, much to my surprise, Luke Garbutt remained on the pitch. Manager Joe Dunne deciding to use Garbutt as a left side midfielder in the second half.

Garbutt seemed to enjoy his more advanced role in the second half; freed from most of his defensive duties, Garbutt immediately began to put pressure on Sheffield United.

Within three minutes of the second half Garbutt found some space on the left and swung in a perfect ball for Clinton Morrison. The experienced former Irish international knocked on Garbutt’s cross towards youngster MaCauley Bonne who headed home his second goal in as a many games.

It was an easy finish for Bonne and the assist goes to a good bit of experienced play by Clinton Morrison but, make no mistake, the goal was created by the tasty cross of Luke Garbutt.

1-2 and Colchester continued to pile on the pressure, looking for an equaliser... on the 64th minute, they found one.

A Colchester throw saw the ball launched into the Sheff Utd area. A defender headed the ball out but only so far as the edge of the area where Garbutt was waiting. Young Luke Garbutt took one simple touch to control the ball then unleashed a wicked swipe at the ball which saw it fly into the far corner: 2-2.

It was a really good goal from Luke Garbutt who by this stage was Colchester’s most impressive player. Garbutt’s first goal for Colchester and his first goal in the FA Cup. I was really happy to see an Everton youngster score such a confident goal.

By this stage, Sheff Utd were reeling and manager Nigel Clough reacted by bringing on a substitute of his own. I only mention this because said substitute was none other than former Everton player — Jose Baxter. I think Baxter remains the youngest player ever to represent Everton in a league fixture to this day. Baxter had little or no effect on this game — and, in case you’re wondering, Garbutt is a better player than Baxter.

Colchester pushed for a winner with Garbutt again coming close to another goal but sadly against the run of play Sheff Utd were awarded a penalty for a handball in the area. They scored that penalty taking a 2-3 lead and that seemed to knock the stuffing out of Colchester.

There was one more moment of quality from Garbutt who at one point collected the ball over on the left-hand side and used his pace to run it from one side of the pitch to the other, leaving at least two (possibly three) Sheff Utd midfielders in his wake. Seriously, when Garbutt runs with the ball, you have to be quick to keep up with him. I don’t think many League One players are able to stop Garbutt in full flow.

Five minutes from time the, Man of the Match award was announced over the speaker system and I was proud but not the least bit surprised to hear the name Luke Garbutt. This was the second time in three home games that Luke Garbutt has won the Man of the Match award.

Colchester lost the game 2-3 and Garbutt’s FA Cup campaign is over in Round One but, despite the disappointing result, this was another very promising performance from Luke Garbutt.

This time, Garbutt has a terrific goal to add to another Man of the Match award. Speaking to my mate walking out of the Stadium, we both agreed Garbutt is easily one of Colchester’s best players now. In fact, if you factor in all the free kicks and corners Garbutt takes, then you may just consider him the most important attacking player Colchester have.

Don’t get me wrong, Garbutt is not the finished article; he still looks a little lightweight and sometimes, in his efforts to get forward and create a goal, he can leave the back door open but he’s learning and developing and I think he’s already proved he’s easily good enough for League One. In fact, I think he could confidently step up to The Championship without too many problems.

A goal and a Man of the Match award for Garbutt had put a smile on my face but that joy was short-lived. During the bus ride home, I checked my phone for the Everton result: 0-0.

0-0??? I refreshed my phone about three times refusing to accept 0-0 as a final result. Surely 0-0 was just the latest score????

0-0!!! That really is shite Roberto.

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