Szmodics hat-trick helps defeat Needham.
U's second half: Bransgrove (Barnes 67), Brindley, Kent, Prosser, O'Donoghue, Slater, Garvan, Wright, Szmodics, Bonne, PorterU's first half: Walker, Vincent-Young, Wyatt, Wynter, Elokobi, Lapslie, Loft, Guthrie, Sembie-Ferris, Dickenson, Johnston
The home side did manage to pull one back with seven minutes to go as Manny Osei got through the U's back line to shoot home, but overall it was another pleasing display for McGreal's men.
The U's were looking fluent in the second half and the best move of the game saw Szmodics lift a shot into the net and complete his hat-trick for 4-0.
Firstly, Szmodics latched onto a through ball to slide the ball past the keeper, before he was felled in the area, allowing Chris Porter to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot a minute later.
Needham hit the bar from a free kick and Bonne also struck the woodwork before the U's extended their advantage.
Drey Wright made the most of good work from Craig Slater, and slid the ball to Szmodics, who bent one home into the bottom corner.
After wholesale changes in the second half, the U's made their pressure tell just two minutes after the restart.
As the half wore on though, the U's began to create pressure, with Lapslie, Dickenson and Johnstone all having chances to try and break the deadlock.
Brennan Dickenson was the first to get a sight of goal for the U's as he blazed just over the bar, but chances were at a premium in the first quarter of the game.
The opening half also saw a return to action for Sam Walker after eleven months out and his appearance was warmly received by those in attendance.
Sammie was part of a second half side that scored all four of the U's goals in another professional display by John McGreal's men.
Colchester United continued their winning start to pre-season on Tuesday night, as a Sammie Szmodics hat-trick guided them to a 4-1 win over Needham Market.