U's Ease To Victory

Colchester United opened their pre-season with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Tiptree United.

Steven Gillespie, the U's record signing, after joining from Cheltenham Town, for a fee in excess of £400,000, netted a hat trick on his U's debut. Triallist Akanni-Sunday Wasiu also scored, as he was given the chance to impress the U's management team.

U's boss Geraint Williams fielded two different teams for either half, with Wasiu the only player to play the whole ninety minutes.

In a quiet first-period Matt Heath and Paul Reid tried their luck as well as Medy Elito and Johnnie Jackson who had efforts go wide.

The second-half was only four minutes old when Wasiu, from the edge of the box, fired his shot home. Despite his powerful shot deflecting in, the Nigerian was keen to claim the goal.

A few moments later, youngster Anthony Wordsworth fired in a low cross which Gillespie met at the near post.

Fellow new signing, David Perkins fed Gillespie through on goal and he calmy notched his second goal of the game.

The Jam Makers pressed, but could not get goal and Gillespie completed his treble with an neat finish from Dean Hammond's pass.

Jackson wore the captains armband, following Karl Duguid's departure, in the first half and Chris Coyne took over for the second forty-five.


First Half: Gerken, Ifil, Reid, Heath, Griffiths, Quintyn, Izzet, Jackson, Elito, Platt, Wasiu.

Second Half: Cousins, White, Coyne, Hammond (J), Lockwood, Wasiu, Hammond (D), Perkins, Wordsworth, Vernon, Gillespie.



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