Colchester United beat Leyton Orient in final friendly

A Rob Hunt own goal and Connor Hall’s strike gave the U’s a two-goal advantage and although Charlie Pegrum pulled a goal back for the O’s from the spot with 20 minutes to go, it was not enough to prevent the U’s from claiming a morale-boosting victory at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester played against ten men for the final 35 minutes after Theo Archibald was dismissed for two bookable offences, soon after coming on as a half-time substitute.

And the hosts' margin of victory could have been greater, had O's keeper Sol Brynn not denied Samson Tovide from the spot, late on.

Nevertheless, it was an impressive performance by the U's, with the start of the new League Two season just seven days away.

Colchester were far and away the better side in the first half, dominating the tempo with their quick and incisive attacking movement.

They started as they meant to go on in the game, with Noah Chilvers' third-minute effort deflected straight at keeper Brynn, after good work by Tovide had helped set up the chance.

Colchester came even closer to scoring three minutes later through Junior Tchamadeu's rasping effort which was well parried by Brynn from point-blank range, after more good play by Tovide had picked out the right wing-back's fine run into the box.

The U’s did make the breakthrough in the tenth minute, via a set-piece.

Chilvers' corner was headed towards goal by Tom Dallison and although keeper Brynn parried, Hunt on the line could only help the ball into his own net.

Seemingly not content with a one-goal lead, Colchester went in search of a second and they almost got one when Tchamadeu's driven cross deflected off Hunt and onto the bar and off for a corner, after another quick U's attack.

Orient boss Richie Wellens cut a frustrated figure in his technical area in the first half, frequently berating both his players and the referee as the visitors struggled to find any rhythm.

The O’s made four changes at the break having been second best for the bulk of the first half.

But Colchester started after half-time as they had finished the first half – in the ascendency.

And their cause was helped ten minutes after the interval when Archibald, who had come on as a half-time substitute for the O’s, was shown two yellow cards in a matter of seconds by referee David Rock and sent off, leaving the visitors down to ten men.

Colchester wasted little time in taking advantage of Orient’s misfortune, doubling their lead a minute later.

Skipper Hall converted from close range from another Chilvers set-piece, to put the U’s further in control.

Orient looked devoid of ideas and the closest they came to scoring in the opening 70 minutes came via the boot of a Colchester player midway through the second half when Nico Lawrence's attempted backpass sailed inches past his own post, from 30 yards out.

The visitors were given a route back into the match in the 70th minute though when Hall brought down Ruel Sotiriou in the box and Pegrum converted the resultant penalty, despite U’s goalkeeper Owen Goodman getting a hand to the ball.

But Colchester missed the chance to restore their two-goal lead from the spot with eight minutes remaining when Brynn denied Tovide, who had been fouled in the box by Harrison Sodje to win the penalty.

Goodman made good saves to foil both Zech Obiero and Ethan Galbraith in the closing stages while Brynn denied Tovide again before the end, as the U's claimed victory.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Lawrence, Dallison, Hall, Tchamadeu, Read, Iandolo, Chilvers, Bandeira, Tovide, Hopper.

Substitutes (not used): Terry, Kennedy, Bennett, Thorn, Mupomba, Collins.

Leyton Orient: Brynn, James, Beckles, Happe, Hunt, Pratley, El Mizouni, Moncur, Sotiriou, Piggott.

Substitutes: Sodje, Sweeney, Galbraith, Brown, Pegrum, Harvest, Tanga, Obiero, Archibald, Drinan.

Referee: David Rock.