COLCHESTER United recovered from conceding an early goal to beat National League South side Bath City 3-1 in their latest pre-season friendly tonight.

Goals from Jake Hutchinson, a trialist and an own goal gave Wayne Brown's side victory at Twerton Park, after Luke Spokes had given the Romans an early lead.

Colchester came close to scoring after ten minutes when Freddie Sears fired straight at Bath keeper Joe Wright from close range, after pouncing on a poor back pass.

But the U's fell behind after 11 minutes.

Spokes collected possession on the touchline and ran at the Colchester defence before advancing into the area and firing a left-foot shot powerfully past Shamal George in spectacular fashion, to give Bath an early lead.

 

Chay Cooper's effort was easily saved by keeper Wright after Junior Tchamadeu had done well to pick out the young midfielder's run.

And Colchester got back on level terms on the stroke of half-time through their trialist, who fired in from long range with a superb half volley.

It meant the sides went in level at the break.

U's first half starting line-up: George, Tchamadeu, Beadle, Smith, Kazeem, Judge, Trialist, Cooper, Chilvers, Nouble, Sears. Subs: Terry, Hutchinson.

Colchester fielded a completely different team in the second half, as they looked to get more minutes into their players.

It took them less than seven minutes to score, after the break.

Young striker Jake Hutchinson converted at the far post, after Cameron Coxe had delivered a good run and cross to pick him out.

 

Colchester pushed for more goals after that, with Luke Chambers' effort being tipped over by Bath's trialist keeper and Tom Eastman also coming close to scoring at the near post.

Hutchinson also came close to scoring again as the clock ticked down but Bath were still in the game, with Kitan Jaiyeoba shooting wide and Rex Mannings firing a decent chance over from close range for the hosts.

But Colchester wrapped up victory on the stroke of full-time when low cross was turned into his own net by a Bath defender after good work by Luke Hannant, as the visitors claimed victory.

U's second half starting line-up: Hornby, Coxe, Chambers, Eastman, Sayer, Skuse, Marshall Miranda, Huws, Newby, Hannant, Hutchinson. Sub: Terry.