Matchday Reports - Sat 19th July (Pre-Season friendlies)

Leiston 1-8 Colchester

Colchester continued their high goalscoring record, as they thrashed Ryman Premier side Leiston 8-1.

Dan Holman headed home after 5 minutes, before Massey fired the ball, which bounced into the net under the bar, to double Colchester's lead.

Holman set the ball towards Szmodics who lashed home from inside the box to put the U's 3-0 up after half-time.

Leiston pulled a goal back as Heath shot the ball past Lewington after half-time.

Sears beat Leiston goalkeeper Gay twice in three minutes, to extend Colchester's lead.

Drey Wright shot the ball home from Eastman's cross to put the visitors 5-1 up

Sears completed his hat-trick after going circling keeper Gay, before Sears slammed home a penalty after Alex Gilbey was brought down.

Braintree 2-1 Southend

A controversal penalty converted by Kenny Davis saw Conference Premier side Braintree Town beat League Two side Southend United.

Braintree striker Michael Bakare made it 1-0 to the hosts in the first half.

Within minutes of the second-half starting, Blues had levelled as Barry Corr, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.

Braintree’s winner came in controversial fashion, when Ben Coker looked to have won the ball, but the referee gave it on the advice of the linesman.

Davis stepped up and converted confidently, sending Bentley the wrong way.

Chelmsford 2-0 Canvey Island

Luke Callander and Mark Hughes both scored as Chelmsford beat Ryman Premier side Canvey Island 2-0.

Callander opened the scoring inside the first three minutes as he curved a shot past keeper Baxter.

And Hughes, who was unmarked, headed home from a corner to confirm City's victory.

Sudbury 2-1 Bury Town (Aaron Gardiner Memorial)

AFC Sudbury came from behind to beat local rivals Bury Town 2-1.

Former Sudbury player Nathan Clarke headed home in the 24th minute from a corner to put the visitors ahead.

Yellows forward James Baker believed he equalised but it was ruled out for offside and a penalty shout for the hosts was waved away by official Euan Goodman, prior to the interval.

Into the second half and AFC levelled the scores when Kris Newby's ball was sent to the path of James Baker who turned and fired home into the far corner of the net.

And 18 minutes later, the Yellows took the lead as Newby's corner met Lawrence Yiga who shot towards goal seeing Ollie Hughes tapping the ball into the net.

The Aaron Gardner Dinner which was held prior to the match saw several former Sudbury players return to remember Gardner, who died ten years ago after a training run at his home in Ipswich.