Colchester crush Owls, final straw for Sturrock

Colchester United ran riot at Layer Road crushing a sorry Owls outfit 4-0 with goals from Jamie Cureton, Greg Halford, Chris Iwelumo and Karl Duguid. It was the final straw for Paul Sturrock who was sacked the following day by Chairman Dave Allen, despite being just weeks into a new five year term agreed with the club. Whilst the decision sits badly with the majority of supporters the 06/07 season is quickly turning into a nightmare with just two league wins to date. Sturrock needed more time, and preferably money, but neither was spared by Allen and his board.

The early warning signs were there that Colchester would mean business. After just 49 seconds the Owls could've found themselves pulling the ball out of the back of the net, Brad Jones was alert enough to deny Richard Garcia's low shot.

Colchester used the flanks well and kept Madjid Bougherra and Frank Simek busy at the back. The game's opening goal came after 28 minutes when Algerian international Bougherra let the ball bounce in the area, allowing Cureton to nip in and score.

The Owls had little to offer at the other end and in the opening moments of the second half they were nearly caught napping again. Cureton would've had his second of the night if it were not for Bougherra's goal line intervention. No matter for the hosts, they were ahead 2-0 some ten minutes later when Halford thrashed the ball in off a post from some 35 yards out.

The game was done and dusted five minutes after Halford's screamer. Iwelumo connected onto a Garcia pass and despatched the ball under Jones for 3-0.

Sturrock threw on Kenny Lunt, Drew Talbot and Deon Burton minutes later as the Owls pushed forward in sight of a consolation goal. It didn't come, but a fourth for Colchester did. Duguid's goal nine minutes from time sealed a completely miserable night for Wednesday, ultimately spelling the end of Paul Sturrock's two year spell as Wednesday manager.

Sturrock verdict: "The players have to stand up and be counted for after that performance. We were not good enough and we have let the fans down. " "There can be no excuses for us. Too many times people have been pointing the finger at injuries and suspensions. " "But we are at the point where we have to bring in players who have the heart and commitment to play for my team."