Kevin Bru’s goal just before half-time has given Town a 1-0 half-time lead in their pre-season friendly at Colchester United.

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.

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

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

Photo: Action Images

bluefeast added 21:45 - Jul 28 Its a factfest
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bluefeast added 21:47 - Jul 28 Gilbey for col u put in an all action dominant display. I reckon we could get him for 250k ,seen a bit of him ,he's destined for greater things ,today best player on pitch plus scored a couple from central midfield . I hope MM took note.
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HALLSJ added 21:49 - Jul 28 WTF is going on, shi.. what more can we say
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GiveusaWave added 21:51 - Jul 28 Trialists both had really bad games. Feel sorry for them as they have definitely blown their opportunities.
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HALLSJ added 21:54 - Jul 28 Guentchev, feel sorry for them, if there not good enough so be it
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Lathers added 21:55 - Jul 28 ITFCHorry - yes you are right it was the year we got relegated from the premier and I believe Burley was still in charge. I was there, Ambrose got the winner in the 90th minute in a 1-0 win.
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bluefeast added 21:56 - Jul 28 Its not their fault its MMs for putting them in and leaving out what should be 1st team picks in the 2nd from last pre season game. We looked as we would with that side out , disjointed . Thats the shame ,feel sorry for those left out. One last comment any right winger is doomed playing in front of chambers as chambers does not support ,tonight he was like a statue. So when winger in the acting final 3rd chambers is level with his central defenders , this leaves a huge gap for opposition to exploit.

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Umros added 21:57 - Jul 28 No fizz from coke then?. Still at least our new away kit colour choice seems well chosen when we facing a team in blue.......not!
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ipswichjon added 21:59 - Jul 28 I'm not sure Gilbey's the answer as a goal scoring midfielder despite what Mr Feast says, 2 goals in 78 appearances at League 1 and Conference level hardly sets the pulse racing. Remember guys it's only a pre-season friendly!
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prebbs007 added 22:01 - Jul 28 Let me guess Mick. It's a friendly. Result doesn't matter. It's about minutes on the pitch. Horse manure. 11 days before kick off you should be playing the strongest 11 and winning 5 or 6 nil !!! If something good comes out of this at least you know chambers NO at right back. Smith NO at right centre back (shudnt be in first 11 at all) Gerken NO starting. Trialists waste of time. Ambrose NO to contract. Tabb just NO !!!! We need 2 full backs and fast. One to start at right back and one to push Parr at left back. We need Skuse plus a back up. We need a goal scoring midfielder and we need to sort out how were gunna play !!!! It's ok though. Was only a friendly. Good workout. Wake up MM and ME and spend some cash !!!!!!!

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bluefeast added 22:04 - Jul 28 prebbs007 you should get 100 tick ups for that post , i agree 100 percent. Why are we square pegs and round holes ,it needs sorting .
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bluefeast added 22:08 - Jul 28 Chambers will play centre half vs brentford as berra is banned ,so tabb at right back then.
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tomitfc added 22:11 - Jul 28 £8million in the bank. Our best chance of kicking on for years. Please please please don't blow it MM. Round pegs round holes.
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jas0999 added 22:12 - Jul 28 Prebbs007 - excellent post. Sadly there will be those who think we have improved and are a miles better side than last season. Mick included probably. Our current squad is too small and still lacking in very key positions. Remarkable it hasn't been addressed. Evans needs to wake up. Now.
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bluefeast added 22:16 - Jul 28 jas0999 i agree in full although with MM needing to make his recommendations re players ,but does mm think he needs RB / LB back up central mid x2
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blues1 added 22:21 - Jul 28 Bluefeast. What u on about? No, it wasn't great by me means. Looked decent going forward but poor defensively, but then only 1 senior defender on for last 2 goals. Coke played well too, tho maybe not as well as sat to be fair. As for no changes at half time? We made 6changes.mcgoldrick, Murphy, Emanuel, yorwerth, bishop, Fraser. Were u actually there? Or u still getting a drink at start of 2nd half?

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NSL added 22:33 - Jul 28 Evans has no intention of spending any more money at this club. The fact we are trialling 31 year old foreign journeymen that no one has ever heard of underlines that.
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itfchorry added 00:58 - Jul 29 Ipswichtilidie Yes - looking forward to some big London Branch events that we are planning - Hope you can make it / details soon Best Horry
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