Colchester angry over tackle on Mbick
Micah Mbick's appearance against Newport was only his second game back from injury
- Published
Colchester United boss Danny Cowley has criticised match officials after forward Micah Mbick suffered a potentially serious injury in their game at Newport County.
The 19-year-old, who is on loan from Charlton Athletic, was stretchered off in the 35th minute in south Wales following a tackle by Cameron Evans, having only returned to the side four days earlier following a previous injury.
The club are waiting to learn the extent of the latest setback for a player who has impressed with nine goals in 26 appearances this season.
"It looks a really bad one, unfortunately. It was a horrendous tackle and I'm sick and tired of officials - he [the referee] didn't even give a foul," Cowley told BBC Essex.
"The fourth official was right there, he saw it all, and it was so clear it was excessive force, it was completely out of control.
"The first foot, ok a block tackle, but the second foot has taken him knee high. It was a horrible tackle and I don't understand the officials, their first job is player safety."
Cowley: 'We had complete control of the game'
Colchester went on to win the game 2-1, a major boost following back-to-back defeats which had dented their hopes of a League Two play-off place.
"First half we were in total control, really stamped our authority on the game and I'm proud of the way we kept going because when we lose Micah, he comes off, Jack Payne comes on and the game plan changes," said Cowley.
"We're lucky because we lost a brilliant player but were able to bring a brilliant player onto the pitch in Jack."
Cowley was also unhappy with supporters who subjected some of his players to racist abuse during the match at Rodney Parade.
"I don't blame Newport County, there's idiots at every football club. It's not a good reflection on society, is it?" he commented.
It was a second instance of racist comments shouted at players on Saturday, with a similar incident occurring at the top-of-the-table League One match between Cardiff and Lincoln.
