Dean Bowditch scored four times as Town's reserves defeated Colchester United 9-2 at a windy and rainy Playford Road. Danny Haynes and academy schoolboy Nathan Ralph scored twice and Ben Thatcher once as new signing Luciano Civelli made his first appearance in a Town shirt.
The Blues went behind in the 14th minute when Matt Richards was somewhat harshly adjudged to have tripped Fabian Batchelor inside the area. The Colchester striker took the spotkick himself and beat new Town keeper Ian McLoughlin.
The half's second penalty saw the Blues get back on terms, Colchester keeper Andrew Dickey felling Danny Haynes and Dean Bowditch converting from the spot.
Bowditch added his second on 28 when played in by Liam Trotter and almost had his third moments later when he flicked on Gerard Nash's header only for a defender to clear off the line.
On 34 Ben Thatcher added Town's third, the full-back hitting a shot on the turn from the edge of the area after a corner.
The Blues were by now rampant with a goal coming practically every time they attacked. Two minutes later, Trotter again played in Bowditch, who completed his hat-trick.
Bowditch added his fourth in the 40th minute after Colchester keeper Dickey had mishandled Joe Clemo's shot from the right.
Two minutes later, the referee awarded the first half's third penalty when Danny Haynes was brought down by Mitchell Nelson. This time Haynes took the kick himself, scoring and making it 6-1 to Town at the break.
Haynes added the seventh from a Bowditch pass in the second half, then just before after the hour mark Batchelor pulled one back for the U's, finishing from close range from a cross from the right.
Town could have scored more, but various players missed opportunities. Trotter in particular feeling that he should have scored.
Sub Nathan Ralph was teed up by the unselfish Bowditch in the 67th minute for the eighth and the academy youngster added Town's ninth with 16 minutes remaining, again from a Bowditch pass.
The experienced Blues line-up were well on top throughout and the size of the victory illustrated the gulf in class between the two teams.
New signing Luciano Civelli played the first hour before being replaced and gradually came more into the match after a quiet start. The be-gloved Argentinian probably found the freezing rain and sleet blowing into his face a bit of a culture shock, but sent in one or two dangerous crosses and corners.
The former Banfield man still looked a little off the pace, as is to be expected after leaving Argentina halfway through pre-season, and probably needs one or two more reserve matches before he can be considered for a first team start.
New academy goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin, 17, made one or two sharp saves in the second half and was a towering presence at around the 6ft 5in tall mark.
Moritz Volz came through the entire 90 minutes after his groin injury and looks likely to be in contention for a starting place against Blackpool on Saturday.
Reserves: McLoughlin, Volz, Richards, Thatcher (Bennett 53), Nash, Trotter, Griffiths, Clemo, Civelli (Ralph 61), Bowditch, Haynes (Brandon 65).