Great Scott will punish any errors - Sheridan

Table-topping Latics expect big test from Colchester


ATHLETIC boss John Sheridan has identified one of his former protégés as a big dangerman in tomorrow’s match at Colchester United.

Striker Scott Vernon came through the ranks at Boundary Park and worked with Sheridan at youth, reserve and first-team levels before moving on to pastures new.

Vernon is a talented front man who was discarded three years ago, at the age of 21, during Ronnie Moore’s time as manager.

He joined Blackpool but is now in his second spell at Colchester – the team plotting to end Athletic’s 100-per-cent start to the league campaign.

Vernon has a formidable career record of 57 goals in 118 starts (plus 85 substitute appearances), and it’s known that Sheridan was interested in re-signing him last season.

Sheridan said: “I know Scott well and he’s an excellent player with a lot of good qualities.

“His record is superb, it’s similar to Lee Hughes, and it’s obvious he’s going to be a threat to us around the penalty area.

“He’s a good finisher once he gets inside the box, so basically we need to keep him in certain areas – areas where he can’t score goals.

“I like Scott as a player, but Colchester are a good side all round and they are going to be one of the strongest teams in our division.”

Vernon always looked a fine prospect in the youth set-up at Boundary Park, and he made his senior debut during the play-off campaign of 2002/2003.

He was leading marksman the following year and scored his maiden hat-trick in a 6-0 win against Grimsby when Sheridan was caretaker manager.

Vernon, however, fell from grace under both Brian Talbot and Moore, with the latter allowing him to make a permanent move to Blackpool as part of the deal which brought Richie Wellens to Athletic.

He tasted promotion with the Seasiders but was transferred to his current club during this year’s January window.

Colchester were already on course for relegation and they ended last term with only 38 points from 46 Championship games, fully 16 points short of safety.

Vernon had the distinction of scoring their last goal at Layer Road, a ramshackle old ground which is now set to be replaced by housing.

Colchester’s new base is the 10,000-seat Weston Homes Community Stadium, where they have so far played only one competitive match.

That was a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield, so whoever breaks the deadlock tomorrow will create a small piece of history.

Given the fact Athletic have scored 10 goals in three league games, Sheridan will be confident that one of his own men can claim the honour.

But Colchester have invested heavily in their squad over the last few months, signing virtually a whole new defence and spending £400,000 on striker Steve Gillespie.

The ex-Cheltenham man was a handful for Athletic last term and has marked his arrival in Essex by scoring three goals in three appearances.

Gillespie, Vernon and the experienced Clive Platt will need plenty of taming if Athletic are to maintain their flying start.

LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES: Brighton v Leyton Orient; Carlisle v Yeovil; Cheltenham v Leicester; Colchester v Athletic; Hereford v Crewe; Leeds v Bristol Rovers; Millwall v Huddersfield; MK Dons v Swindon; Peterborough v Hartlepool; Stockport v Scunthorpe; Tranmere v Northampton; Walsall v Southend.