Colchester United swept aside newly promoted Forest Green Rovers on Saturday, with four of the five U’s goals coming from academy graduates.
Kyel Reid and Frankie Kent had put the U’s 2-0 up before Liam Noble pulled one back for the visitors in the first 45 minutes.
The second half, however, was one way traffic as Sammie Szmodics, Kane Vincent-Young and Courtney Senior all found the net, completing the rout and giving Colchester United their first win of the season.
Fifteen minutes later it was 2-0 as Reid turned provider and stood a ball up to the far post where Kent was waiting; the Young Player of the Year looped his header back across goal and into the far corner, leaving Collins helpless once more.
Liam Noble replied immediately for Forest Green, sweeping a right-footed effort past Sam Walker from 20 yards out.
Before the end of the half, Szmodics had another glorious chance to restore the U’s two goal cushion, but after a delightful piece of skill his shot went the wrong side of the post.
Walker was also called into action once more, making himself big and saving Christian Doidge’s effort right on the stroke of half time.
The second half however was one way traffic. Tariq Issa came on for his home league debut shortly after the break and played a vital role in the third goal.
Szmodics had been causing issues for the Rovers defence all day, and with 65 minutes gone he finally got his reward. Issa put in a dangerous cross and Sammie’s initial shot was blocked, fortunately the ball came back his way and he converted at the second time of asking.
Nobody in the crowd would have predicted what was to follow.
With the game entering the final fifteen minutes, Kane Vincent-Young picked the ball up inside his own half and began to travel towards the Forest Green goal.
Vincent-Young hurdled several tackles, beating three Forest Green players and finished emphatically from the edge of the box.
Szmodics and Wright were then replaced by Tommy O’Sullivan and Courtney Senior, with the later making his professional debut for the club.
The two combined to see of the visitors, with Senior sending O’Sullivan through on goal with an excellent ball. His dinked effort was tipped away by Collins but only into the path of the onrushing Senior, who tapped the ball in and completed the scoring.
It was a strong performance from McGreal’s men, who will look to build on this performance in the league away to Cambridge next Saturday.