Kevin Bru and David McGoldrick - from the penalty spot - twice gave the Blues the lead at Colchester but the U’s ran out 3-2 victors in the now-annual friendly at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. For the home side, Alex Gilbey scored twice and Gavin Massey a late, late winner.

Trialists Giles Coke and Larsen Touré started for the Blues with only Cole Skuse not making the trip due to a minor niggle.

Goalmouth action was rare in the opening spell and it wasn’t until the 13th minute that either side threatened, Bru picking up a loose ball midway inside the Colchester half and hitting a 25-yard effort which was too close to U’s keeper Elliot Parish.

Town, again in last season's orange away kit, came close to taking the lead in the 21st minute after a superb interchange of passes on the right. Pitman dummied, Ambrose then played the ball to the striker, who fed former Colchester man Sears, whose shot was blocked by Parish. The loose ball deflected out to Jonny Parr, but the Norwegian shot into the side-netting when he should have opened the scoring.

George Moncur shot wide for the home side, then on 23 skipper Chris Porter battled his way beyond Tommy Smith but the advancing Dean Gerken - also back at his old club - dived at his feet to block.

The U’s threatened again on 29, Moncur hitting a low shot from distance which Gerken could only parry. Porter was first to the rebound but couldn’t find the target as Smith closed down.

Just after the half hour trialist Touré, who had started wide on the right, made way for Dylan Connolly, the Guinean international having made one or two feisty challenges and a couple of strong runs, but had been caught in possession on a number of occasions.

On 36 Pitman looped a header over from a Coke freekick, then four minutes later Drey Wright, son of former Blue Jermaine Wright, shot over from distance.

The Blues took the lead right on the stroke of half-time. Ambrose, who is training with Town as he looks to win a new deal, exchanged passes with Sears on the left, the former Colchester man cut the ball back beyond Pitman but perfectly for Bru, who smashed a right-foot shot past Parish and into the net. The referee’s whistle blew moments after the restart.

Bru’s goal was very much the highlight of an evenly-contested, typical pre-season first half of few chances at either end.

At the start of the second half the Blues brought on Josh Emmanuel, Josh Yorwerth, Ryan Fraser, Teddy Bishop, David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy for skipper Luke Chambers, Smith, Connolly, Bru, Sears and Pitman.

Alex Gilbey struck the first shot of the second half from distance, Gerken getting down to his right and claiming at the second attempt ahead of the on-rushing Porter.

Colchester got back on terms on 55 when Moncur made a strong run through the middle before laying the ball to Gilbey, who beat the advancing Gerken from midway inside the area on the left.

Ambrose hit a low volley not far wide before Myles Kenlock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles replaced Parr and Ambrose.

The Blues regained the lead from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. Emmanuel’s deep cross from the right was nodded down and across by Murphy to McGoldrick, whose powerful shot was stopped by Alex Wynter’s hand.

Referee Mr T Robinson pointed to the spot and McGoldrick sent Parish the wrong way to claim his second goal of pre-season.

The Blues came close to adding to their lead on 72 when Maitland-Niles threaded in Fraser on the left. The on-loan Bournemouth man crossed to Murphy, who just couldn’t get his header on target.

Bishop shot weakly through to Colchester’s sub keeper Sam Walker, before the game turned around in the final minutes.

Colchester got back on terms when Gilbey picked the ball up not far outside the area and hit a powerful low shot which beat Gerken.

Then, in the final minute of scheduled time, the U’s took the lead for the first time. Sub Dion Sembie-Ferris held off Berra before Jack Curtis whipped over a cross-shot beyond Gerken and Gavin Massey bundled the ball home behind him.

There was no time for the Blues to hit back and the League One side claimed a rare victory over their local rivals.

Until the late goals, the match had appeared to be drifting to a Town win, having somewhat lost its momentum after the traditional pre-season mass of substitutions.

But the U's showed admirable desire in the closing minutes to grab the win and send their fans - who were just outnumbered by the travelling Blues - away happy.

Colchester: Parish (Walker 70), Brindley, Wynter, Eastman (Curtis 80), Vincent-Young, Edwards, Gilbey, Moncur (Kent 80), Wright (Sembie-Ferris 56), Porter, Massey. Subs: Olufemi, Lapslie, Bonne, Holman.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (Emmanuel 46), Berra, Smith (Yorwerth 46), Parr (Kenlock 63), Coke (Tabb 72), Bru (Bishop 46), Touré (Connolly 31 (Fraser 46)), Ambrose (Maitland-Niles 63), Sears (McGoldrick 46), Pitman (Murphy 46). Subs: Crowe, McDonnell, Stewart, Henshall, Benyu. Att: 4,647 (Town: 2,372).

Photo: Action Images

EatonBlue added 23:06 - Jul 28 Blub. I have just cut-up my non-existent season ticket with a pair of non-existent scissors and thrown the pieces into a non-existent bin. Blub.
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bluefeast added 23:09 - Jul 28 EatonBlue ,you did all that whilst Norwich Citys first team squad were banging your wife. Remarkable.
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PhilTWTD added 23:15 - Jul 28 Vancouver_Blue Sorry, I stand corrected, second goal.
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Kirbmeister added 23:16 - Jul 28 We're not Man U or Chelsea were a mid table championship side.
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GTRKing added 23:19 - Jul 28 Giles coke looked good maybe sign him on a 1 year deal. Team played ok need defenders RB is a must ASSAP (before we play Brentford)
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algarvefan added 23:31 - Jul 28 It's obvious that the clubs wages structure is the big stumbling block to signing better players, we are where we are and have to make the best of things. If anything the Championship is a stronger league this season and some clubs who did OK last season have spent big. If anything I think we overachieved last season but had a great team spirit. I think we need a goalkeeper, a right back and a creative midfielder, three players, lets wait and see what happens. Not matter what that is I have faith that Mick and Terry will get the best out of the lads again this season, but I'm not sure we will emulate last seasons play off spot, but we'll see!!

3

Toronto_Tractor added 04:19 - Jul 29 Always disappointing to lose, but seriously guys, friendly results to not mean a thing. I still can't believe the same old moaners are banging on about 'splashing the cash'. Key thing to remember here guys.. IT DIDNT WORK WHEN THE CLUB TRIED THAT BEFORE!! Now, I do agree we need to find adequate replacements and feel that we need greater strength in depth than last season, but I'd prefer we bide our time and make sure we do bring in the quality and personalities to the club. We've enjoyed our best success in a decade without chucking money away for the sake of it. Id be more than happy with a similar approach next season and another shot at the playoffs. Maybe we are a couple of players of brilliance but do I have to remind everyone of the money wasted on Taylor, Norris, Chopra, priskin, leadbitter, etc. I love the togetherness of our current group, it's reignited my love for the club which had been waning with pricks like Keane in charge and tw**s like Chopra upfront. I'm happy for MM to take his time and bring players we'll learn to love rather than ones we'll remember and hate.

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bigmick23 added 07:53 - Jul 29 Ny red bulls thumped Chelsea 4-2 timmy h with a team full of youngsters. Let's be a bit more optimistic.who would've picked AFc Bournemouth for promotion last season.trust in mm and tc
3

blues1 added 08:07 - Jul 29 Timmy h. Chelsea etc don't have yorwerth, Emmanuel and kenlock in their reams. The have top class players, regardless of who plays
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Count_Arthur added 08:12 - Jul 29 I don't know about anyone else, but I watched the friendlies last season and I think we were in a far better shape then than we are now!? I seem to remember we didn't lose and friendlies last year? There are some similarities though . . . Unfit trialists coming into the squad at the last minute (Touré 2015 / Bajner 2014) Players showing promise and then disappearing (Henshall 2015 / Henshall 2014) Doubts over our number one's ability (Gerken 2015 / Gerken 2014) Plus points were the support and the atmosphere were good. And I feel sorry for Matt Clarke, felt he should have been given a chance in our first team this season, rather than get Yorwerth in.

3

ArnieMsBigToe added 08:32 - Jul 29 MartleshamITFC: Bart had to work. Mr Burnes wouldn't give him the night off . . .
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tractorintheloft added 08:42 - Jul 29 TimmyH Chelsea lost 4-2 to NY Red Bulls
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brittaniaman added 08:54 - Jul 29 We all know it was a pre season Friendly !! BUT what did ORIENT do that we could not do ???????
4

TraaaakorBoi added 08:55 - Jul 29 Biawkowski Chambers Berra Smith Parr Skuse Bishop Bru McGoldrick Murphy Sears Quality starting line up with maitland niles and fraser and fraser ready to come off the bench to add some width with a change of formation :)
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brian_a_mul added 10:03 - Jul 29 We had the same defensive lapses at the start of last season, MM was quick to sort that out. Lets hope we get those lapses out of the way in pre season and have the defense fully focused come Brentford, I expect MM will have the defense in proper order. Man U, Chelsea etc dont take in many loan or trial players (unknown quantities)!
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BroskiBeen added 10:17 - Jul 29 people need to calm down, it was a friendly and if you went you'd know that it wasn't played with the usual tempo our players just weren't as up for it as theirs, will be different on Saturday against Uterecht when we're the underdogs
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backwaywhen added 10:28 - Jul 29 Last night , Luton 2 Brentford 1.......Nuff said !
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Razor added 10:47 - Jul 29 If Joe Royle does send Luke Garbutt to us on loan and we get the Hearts boy plus a goalscoring midfielder that should do it-----oh and if a quality keeper comes available ( Kuscak? then get him. Still 10 days to go and those rabbits may just appear!!)
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DannyITFC added 11:26 - Jul 29 Not fussed one bit about this result it's a training game! However it did highlight the problem we have at RB and LB.....a quality RB is required to allow Chambers to play CB, cover for LB/versatile player is also needed. As for the midfield yes we could do with an attacking midfielder but I was quite impressed with Coke as a back up for Hyam....the two new wide players look like a breath of fresh air but what back up have we got? Tabb/Henshall? Goalkeeping issues also remain......we need a better first choice keeper tbh. In my opinion we have made great additions with Pitman, Fraser and Maitland-Niles but now need two full backs and a decent keeper plus maybe a versatile attacking midfielder. Mick will do his best to get his targets before Brentford away I am sure.

3

Geoff added 11:40 - Jul 29 You must start from the back when building a team,a solid back four and goal keeper.We seem okay elsewhere perhaps a play maker required. The back four let us down last season and should have been the priority, i do not know why this has not been sorted out a month ago.With now ten days before the season starts we are still experimenting against inferior opposition which are showing us all our major weaknesses.

2

coolcat added 12:15 - Jul 29 I went last night and it was a poor second half but I don't think it's a sign of things to come. I recall West Ham had a poor preseason last year. Cresswell had just joined them, along with other new signings. I notice with Town this time there are a lot of new faces along with the triallists. I'm sure MM will sort it out. Was a good atmosphere tho'.
1

cantona11 added 12:33 - Jul 29 Reading comments about our keepers Bart is the best we have at moment look at gerkin last night not up to it I blame him for 2 of the three the last one well I think his boot laces were tied together did not move and antisipate the cross shocking and my dad made a good point as all the teams that I remember going up from the championship have had a good keeper and I think he is right

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bigmick23 added 13:58 - Jul 29 Richard wright ? Sub keeper on Aussie tour over here for man c . Could we do any worse than what we got.tic comment !!!
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BlueSwede added 15:17 - Jul 29 Garbutt has gone to Fulham sadly. Could have been a good addition to the team. Wonder though how many of the starters against Colchester - apart from three of the defenders - will start against Brentford. But that's what preseason is about too, to see how the young players perform and how the trialists fit in. Not worried about the results and look forward to the start of the season. And hopefully a few new faces in the squad by then.

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bigolconnor added 15:40 - Jul 29 To take the positives from the game; I would say that, starting from the back, Berra looked solid and smart. Parr seemed assured in his rightful position and can only improve with more game time. Ambrose tried a little too hard, but had his moments and Bru dazzled at times again. He seems to have gained confidence since last season. I didn't really notice pitman but it looks as though Maitland-niles, Fraser, McGoldrick and Murphy are an awesome combination. So in summary. Bart goes in goal, we get a new right back, chambers and Berra go in the centre, parr on the left. Then skuse and Bru in the middle with Fraser and Maitland Niles on the wings. McGoldrick and Murphy up top. Bench of Gerken, smith, connoly, pitman and sears.

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