Leiston 1 Colchester United 8

Colchester United boosted their goal tally to 24 goals in four games, and just eight days, with a comprehensive 8-1 win at Leiston this afternoon.

It was a very competitive game for the first 40 minutes, with the U’s nursing a narrow 1-0 lead through Dan Holman’s excellent fifth minute header.

But Joe Dunne’s men added two more goals before half-time, Gavin Massey firing a rising shot into the roof of the net via the underside of the bar on 42 minutes, and then Sammie Szmodics bagging a quality third with a rasping shot in the 45th minute.

The second-half developed into the one-man Freddie Sears show. On as a half-time substitute, Sears helped himself to four goals.

Leiston had initially pulled a goal back through Gareth Heath’s neat finish at the far post, in the 52nd minute, but the U’s superior fitness showed during the rest of the game, especially as Dunne had made eight changes at the break.

Sears twice ran through to beat keeper Danny Gay on one-on-one situations in the 54th and 56th minutes, to make it 5-1 to the visitors.

Drey Wright added the sixth on 64 minutes, before Sears burst clear to round Gay and complete his hat-trick with a sublime finish.

The U’s were awarded a penalty for a push on Alex Gilbey in the 87th minute, and Sears predictably stepped up to send Gay the wrong way for his fourth goal and the U’s eighth.

Striker Jabo Ibehre and winger Sanchez Watt were not involved, due to injury.

Ibehre has a sore groin, while Watt has a slight knee problem. Both watched the game from the stands, but will be hoping to be fit to feature in a string of games next week, including a home fixture against Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.

Squads

Leiston (starting XI): Gay, Tann, P Brothers, Mitchell, Jefford, Bullard, M Brothers, Heath, Akurang, Parker, Francis. Usued subs: Saker, Winter, Boardley, Leverett, Horner, Noy.

COLCHESTER UNITED (first-half): Walker, Clohessy, Kent, Thompson, O’Donoghue, Eastmond, Moncur, Vose, Szmodics, Massey, Holman.

COLCHESTER UNITED (second-half): Lewington, Olufemi, Okuonghae, Eastman, Gordon, David Wright, Moncur (sub Drey Wright, 60), Eastmond, Gilbey, Vose, Sears.