Colchester United showed their class in the second half to cruise past Chelmsford City in the penultimate pre-season friendly.
A battling first half saw honours even at the break, although the U's should have held an advantage with a good chance for Frank Nouble going begging.
But in the second half Samson Tovide found the target just after the hour mark, before a powerful drive from Marley Marshall Miranda doubled the lead ten minutes later.
Ossama Ashley added the icing on the cake with a calm finish from well outside the penalty area to give Wayne Brown's side a comfortable 3-0 victory at Maldon and Tiptree.
The U's started the game the stronger of the two sides, with Chay Cooper having the first meaningful chance of the encounter after ten minutes. Both he and Alex Newby broke down the left flank, with the Colchester United youngster seeing a good curling effort blocked before it reached the target.
Frank Nouble had the best chance of the game so far after Samson Tovide had burst through the Chelmsford defence. Creating the space for a shot, Tovide had his effort saved by the 'keeper, before Nouble was unable to convert the follow up from close range.
But the National League South side finished the half stronger. Ted Collins was forced into a flying save from former U’s man Callum Jones, before another ex-player, Louis Dunne squandered a fine chance just before the break. Dunne found space down the left wing, but couldn’t hit the target with the half time whistle blowing a few minutes later.
After the fifteen minute break, Louis Dunne again went close this time benefitting from Ashley losing the ball on the edge of his own penalty area. Dunne’s curling shot landed on the roof of the net, with the U’s soon taking the advantage.
With just over twenty minutes to play Tovide got the better of his marker to run clean through on goal, before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner to give his side the advantage.
Colchester United had to work to stay in front though, with Ted Collins forced into a couple of good saves in the following ten minutes, collecting a header and palming away a swerving shot from the far side.
And these Collins saves ensured the U’s would be able to extend their advantage, when Marley Marshall Miranda fired in from the edge of the penalty area. His low but powerful drive got the better of the Chelmsford ‘keeper at the near post, with Ossama Ashley adding the pick of the bunch five minutes later.
Tovide saw another goal ruled out for offside before he brought the goalkeeper of his line to make a poor clearance. The ball rolled kindly for the U’s newest recruit, Ashley, who lifted the ball with great composure into the far corner from thirty-five yards out.
His inch-perfect strike put the game beyond all doubt and ensured the U’s would claim victory, with the final pre-season game coming up this weekend. Wayne Brown’s side will travel to Ebbsfleet United on Saturday afternoon, with the trip to Northampton Town coming up quickly.
Colchester United starting XI: Collins, Tchamadeu, Cracknell, Beadle, Kazeem, Marshall Miranda, Ashley, Newby, Cooper, Tovide, Nouble.
Subs: Tedaldi, Hutchinson, Lowe, Terry, Edwards, Sayer.