COLCHESTER United claimed a 3-0 win over National League South side Chelmsford City tonight, in their latest pre-season friendly tonight.

Goals from Samson Tovide, Marley Marshall Miranda and new signing Ossama Ashley secured the U's victory in the match, played at Maldon and Tiptree FC.

New recruit Alex Newby featured for Colchester, along with the likes of Frank Nouble, Junior Tchamadeu and Chay Cooper.

But there was no Shamal George, with the goalkeeper having also not featured against Southend United, the previous night.

The first half was a goal-less affair.

Colchester went close after 20 minutes when Nouble fired a follow-up effort wide, after Tovide had broken forward and forced a save from the Chelmsford keeper.

Ted Collins made a good save at the other end just before the half hour while former U's youngster Louis Dunne went close for the Clarets, soon after.

The teams went in goal-less at the break and Dunne came close again to scoring just after the break with a shot that curled just over.

But Colchester made the breakthrough midway through the second half through Tovide, who held off a defender before calmly firing home.

And the lead was doubled thanks to Marshall Miranda's excellent strike from outside the box.

Ashley wrapped up Colchester's win when he lobbed home from 25 yards, after the Chelmsford keeper had come out of his box to clear from Tovide and the ball had fallen to him.

Colchester's next pre-season friendly is at Ebbsfleet United, on Saturday.

Colchester United: Collins, Tchamadeu, Kazeem, Beadle, Cracknell (sub Terry), Marshall Miranda (sub Sayer), Newby, Cooper, Ashley (sub Edwards), Nouble, Tovide.

Subs: Tedaldi, Hutchinson, Terry, Lowe.