Two goals in the final five minutes gave Town's reserves a 3-1 victory over Colchester United in their first home league game of the season at Playford Road. Liam Trotter netted twice and Darryl Knights once for the Blues, while Jamie Guy scored for the visitors.

The strong Town side went in front in the 10th minute, Richard Naylor flicking on a corner to Liam Trotter who nodded home off the crossbar.

Dean Bowditch went wide after typically excellent work down the right from recent signing Martin Brittain and the former England U19 international was again unlucky a few minutes later which he saw a shot deflect wide.

Just before the break, a mix-up between first-year academy scholar Andrew Plummer and Richard Naylor allowed Jamie Guy to score from close range.

Town had been much the better side in the first half and should have scored more than the single goal, while at the other end they had hardly been troubled.

The second half, which like the first featured sporadic heavy downpours, was closer and neither side looked like scoring until the 70th minute when Bowditch's volleyed cross from the left was narrowly missed by sub Darryl Knights.

Town finally added to their goals on 85 when trialist Phil Mulryne, a 58th minute substitute, was given time to shoot from 25 yards out. U's keeper Dean Gerken palmed the ball away but Knights was on hand to apply the final touch.

Mulryne added a another assist two minutes later, deftly chipping the ball into the box from where Trotter flicked a header into the net for his second of the afternoon.

The former Norwich man put in a lively display, despite looking a few pounds too heavy, and certainly looked more interested than certain senior Town players.

Brittain had a lively first half and sent in some excellent crosses, while Trotter was influential in midfield and used his height well in order to grab his two goals.

Watching the game was Weymouth boss Garry Hill, although he is far more likely to have been looking at Colchester players rather than Town. Also present were numerous Town first teamers, boss Jim Magilton, coaches Bryan Klug and Steve Foley, chief scout Steve McCall and Charlie Woods. Present with Colchester was manager and former Blue Geraint Williams.

Town: Plummer, Sito, Barron, Casement, Naylor, Moore (Knights 58), Brittain, Trotter, Haynes (Mulryne 58), Currie, Bowditch (Synnott 71). Unused: Reason, Upson.

Photo: Action Images

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