COLCHESTER United head coach Hayden Mullins says they will continue to look at trialists Richard Kone and Bayli Spencer-Adams after they featured in their friendly win at Billericay Town.
Kone, formerly of Essex Senior League side Athletic Newham, caught the eye in the second half of the U's 3-0 win at New Lodge, scoring one goal and creating another for the visitors against their National League South opponents.
Former Watford defender Spencer-Adams featured in the first half of Colchester's opening friendly, as Mullins fielded different sides in each half.
Mullins said: "It's good that we have a policy where we look at trialists and most clubs do.
"We had a trialist match at the training ground which was well organised and a lot of trialists attended.
"A couple of those were with us today who we looked at and identified and we'll continue to have a look at them.
"It's down to them to try and impress.
"The two lads haven't worked with us for too long.
"(Richard Kone) understood what we wanted and put his own spin on it, so it's down to him and impress."
Colchester fielded a total of 22 players in their friendly at Billericay, with all seven of their summer signings featuring in addition to the trialists.
After a goal-less first half, second-half goals from Kone, Alan Judge and Freddie Sears sealed the U's victory in front of more than 500 spectators at New Lodge.
"Pre-season friendlies are always different," said Mullins.
"We wanted to try and get the work into the boys and try and press quite hard and be quite aggressive, to get a bit of work out of the lads who were out there.
"What you saw especially late on was the quality that we've brought in to the football club and the knowhow, with some of the players that we've got.
"We knew that so it's our job and my job to get them up to speed and get the work into them, so we're ready for that first game of the season.
"Sometimes with an artificial surface, it can be a bit sticky and the ball can get stuck.
"It's a bit worrying at times when you see players over-stretching and bits and pieces.
"But we're glad to come through it and I think all of the boys are still fit and healthy, which is the main thing.
"The 45 minutes for each player and the way we worked was the pleasing thing for me.
"I've said to the players that they will look at the result and how it went but the main thing for us is the work that went into it, which was good.
"The thing for me is that we're not quite up to speed yet and we want to get more work into them."
Judge was particularly impressive for Colchester in the second half, scoring a fine goal and also going close on at least two other occasions.
Mullins said: "This is only their first full week and first game but you still see quality players find areas of the pitch.
"It's good for the younger ones in the squad like Poku, Chilvers and Brendan (Wiredu) to train and watch players like that (Alan Judge) and see how they find areas of the pitch and so much space and time.
"It's good for us to have them in the squad and credit to the club for going out and getting them."
Colchester's next friendly is a behind-closed-doors game at Premier League new boys Watford, on Saturday.
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