Braintree vs Colchester United U21

Braintree took the lead in the 13th minute. Former Portsmouth midfielder Reuben Swann collected possession 25 yards out and drilled a low strike past Colchester's trialist goalkeeper, in off the post.

Colchester's best response came when Kien Connolly worked space in the area but sent a tame shot just wide of the far post. But Braintree doubled their lead in the 21st minute. Finn Adams drove into the area and laid the ball off for Jamie Bennett, the former Stanway Rovers striker, who slotted low inside the near post.

Anisius Lewis almost made it three on the half-hour, hooking a first-time effort over the bar after Alfie Matthews' teasing cross. Swann then sidefooted wide when well placed. But the third arrived in first-half stoppage time: Anisius Lewis bundled the ball in from close range after a cross from the right.

Colchester regrouped at the break, replacing Ronnie Harvey and Adrian Akande — who had made his first pre-season appearance — with two trialists. The U's started the second half brightly: Makise Evans broke the offside trap within seconds of the restart and forced an instinctive save from Braintree's trialist keeper.

Braintree remained dangerous. Matthews curled a free-kick just over from 20 yards. Lewis crashed a powerful shot off the crossbar just before the hour. The fourth goal arrived late: one of Braintree's many trialists looped a header over the Colchester goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

Swann's 13th-minute opener set the tone. Braintree's sharpness in possession and pressing forced Colchester into errors, and the second goal eight minutes later effectively ended the contest. Colchester never recovered from the two-goal deficit and conceded a third before half-time. The U's fielded 11 trialist substitutes across the match, reflecting the developmental nature of their squad.

Reuben Swann — Scored the opening goal with a composed 25-yard drive and created further chances. His midfield presence controlled the tempo.

Anisius Lewis — Had a hand in multiple chances, hit the crossbar, and scored the third goal to make it 3-0 before half-time.

Jamie Bennett — Clinical finish for the second goal, showing sharp movement inside the box.

Adrian Akande (Colchester) — Made his first pre-season appearance, playing 45 minutes on the wing for the U's in a tough afternoon.

The 4-0 scoreline tells a straightforward story of first-half dominance. Three goals in the opening 45 minutes reflected Braintree's superior sharpness and organisation against a Colchester side that made wholesale changes. The U's used 11 trialist substitutes across the match, which limited any chance of building rhythm. Braintree's six trialists also featured, but the Iron's settled spine — Swann, Bennett, Lewis, Matthews — did the damage before the changes. The attendance of 287 at a humid Cressing Road was decent for a pre-season friendly between a National League side and an academy XI.

Braintree continue their pre-season schedule with a trip to Felixstowe & Walton United on Tuesday 28 July, followed by a home friendly against Aldershot Town on 1 August. The National League campaign begins on 8 August. For Colchester United U21s, the match was another step in building fitness ahead of their Professional Development League season. The gap in physical maturity between the two sides was evident, and Pitt will have gained useful information on his trialists with squad decisions looming.

A thoroughly professional pre-season workout from Braintree. The Iron were sharper, stronger and more organised from the first whistle, and the game was effectively over by half-time. Pitt's side look on track for the 8 August start, with Swann and Lewis particularly impressive. Colchester's young side will benefit from the minutes, but the scoreline accurately reflected the gap between the teams on the day.