FOOTBALL: Danny Cullip's weekly column (March 11)

As a defender, it's games like that where you earn your bread and butter. Colchester put us under a lot of pressure and you can't switch off for a moment when they're bombarding you like that. You have to stay strong, concentrate and can't duck out of anything because that could lead to a goal.

Tommy Elphick was outstanding, the midfield bossed the game and the team is gelling really well.

The pitch looked awful but the team still passed it well and, at times, cut them open.

We've now got our old adversaries from the play-offs a few years ago, Swindon, on Saturday.

It should be a good battle and I remember the play-off semi-finals, when they were ahead, and a couple of their players were telling me they were going to send me pictures from the Millennium Stadium.

But, that's where I go back to concentration again. They thought they had it won, didn't defend a long throw properly and we scored, then won on penalties.

Michel Kuipers broke a finger late in training last week, which has ruled him out for the season and I'm gutted for him.

He's had to fight all his career, with one thing or another. But he's such a strong character and a good guy and will come back from it.

I had to hang up my boots a bit prematurely last week.

It's unfortunate but it was a serious injury '“ the hamstring detached from the bone '“ and you can't do anything about it.

I'll always remember when I was playing at Barnsley one night and I did my hamstring up there in the first couple of minutes.

Our keeper got the ball and we were expecting him to hit it long but he threw it straight at their striker. I was running one way, turned quickly to get back and my hamstring went.

I was fuming with the keeper and then, walking past the dug-out, started getting stick and was told I'm not quick enough to do my hamstring!

I had a good run with my career, playing since I was 16, and I can give me legs a rest now.

I'm taking a step back until the summer and am no longer with Lewes.

I'll re-charge my batteries, do my coaching badges and look to get involved in coaching or managing in the future.

The Worthing Academy boys were up in York last week in the quarter-finals of the English Colleges' Cup. Despite playing well, they unfortunately lost but it was a good experience for all of them.

It's the Football League Awards in London on Sunday. Albion in the Community are up for a few awards so, hopefully, we'll have won some by this time next week.

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