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Watch: the viral moment a U's photographer was 'flattened' by a pitch invader

THE moment a Colchester United snapper was sent sprawling after a fan invaded the pitch has gone viral. The U's faced off against Tranmere Rovers for the opening-day fixture of the EFL League Two on Saturday afternoon at the JobServe Community Stadium. The opposing team's Connor Jennings scored in the first 15 minutes of the match, but it wasn't until the 87th minute Kyreece Lisbie equalised. It was at this point a fan invaded the pitch to celebrate. Colchester United - the pitch invader (Image: @1882Callum on X) Colchester United - a member of security and the pitch invader (Image: @1882Callum on X) While being chased by security, the fan fell on top of Colchester United photographer Richard Blaxall. The Gazette understands Mr Blaxall was left with some minor injuries. A video which captured the moment has since gone viral on social media. On X, the video has racked up 335,000 views, 844 likes, and 119 retweets. The Gazette's sports writer Jonathan Waldron was at the match. He said: "Poor Richard was just doing his job, trying to get pictures of the U's goal celebrations when he was flattened by a supporter who should not have been there. 'Thankfully, I think he's okay which is the main thing, but it could have been a lot worse, and it must have been a pretty scary moment for him." The U's fan who took the viral clip at the match said: "It was one of those surreal moments where you're not quite sure what you've just seen until you watch it back. Colchester United - the moment the pitch invader fell onto Richard Blaxall (Image: 1883Callum on X) Colchester United - the pitch invader falling onto the photographer (Image: 1883Callum on X) Goal scorer - Kyreece Lisbie (Image: STEVE BRADING) "The celebrations were absolutely wild after Lisbie scored, and everything just spilled over from there. "Seeing the video take off online and get over 300,000 views has been a bit mad. "I didn't expect it to blow up the way it did, I just hope the photographer is okay." The match ended in a draw and Lisbie spoke to The Gazette about his goal in the closing minutes of the game. The 21-year-old came off the bench and after scoring dedicated the goal to his late grandmother.