New boy James Norwood netted a fabulous hat-trick as Town went goal-crazy to earn the first win of their pre-season programme, running ragged League Two rivals Colchester 5-0 at the JobServe Community Stadium tonight.

While summer signing Norwood, the country’s leading marksman last season when his 32 goals helped Tranmere to win promotion into League One, was the star of the show, half-time substitute Kayden Jackson was the best of the rest with a double strike — plus an assist — on a night when home boss John McGreal was left with more questions than answers.

The Blues led 1-0 at the break, thanks to Norwood’s early penalty, and Jackson added a second with his first touch soon after the break. Three goals in just 10 minutes saw off the U’s and put Paul Lambert’s men firmly in charge in what was a comfortable, thoroughly deserved win.

Cheered on by almost 3,000 appreciative members of the Blue Army, who were in predictably good voice throughout, Town looked far more menacing in the second period and could even have secure a more emphatic victory.

Town went ahead thanks to spot-on Norwood as he emphatically converted a penalty awarded after Cameron James was rightly punished for an ill-timed sliding tackle on Danny Rowe that left referee Tim Robinson with an easy decision to make.

The game’s first scoring opportunity actually fell to Colchester new boy Jevani Brown, a summer signing from Cambridge United, in the eighth minute and at the end occupied by most of the travelling fans.

But he delayed his shot long enough to allow Town skipper Luke Chambers to go to ground and block the danger.

Chambers, who will miss the season’s opening League One fixture at Burton through a one-game suspension carried over from last term, was prominent again to dispossess Courtney Senior.

Within seconds, however, his challenge on ex-colleague Frank Nouble was punished by referee Tim Robinson, although the freekick floated in by Courtney Senior was easily gathered by new 6ft 9ins goalkeeper Tomas Holy.

The goal clearly lifted the Blues and they began to stroke the ball around with confidence, midfielders Andre Dozzell and Idris El Mizouni enjoying plenty of possession but unable to carve out any clear-cut opportunities for front man Norwood.

Colchester threatened down the left in the 32nd minute as Brown and Nouble exchanged passes but Janoi Donacien produced a well-timed challenge on the latter at the expense of a corner that was easily cleared.

Holy, signed on a free transfer after his contract expired at Gillingham, was grateful when the home side spoilt another potential opportunity by sending yet another free-kick into the area that he was able to gather easily.

With 33 minutes on the clock the referee called Chambers towards him and seemed to ask that the Town captain have a word with team-mate Norwood, which he duly did before the game got under way again. Presumably, had it not been a pre-season friendly, the Town striker would have been in trouble for something he had apparently said.

Town squandered an excellent chance to increase their advantage six minutes before the break when Tunisian international El Mizouni raced through without being challenged. But, rather than slip the ball to the unmarked Rowe, he opted to let fly from just outside the area and saw his low drive miss the target with plenty to spare.

Tristan Nydam, Idris El Mizouni and Luke Garbutt, who had lined up at wide midfield in his first appearance in a Blues shirt against one of his former loan clubs, all made way for Town at the interval, to be replaced by trialist James Wilson, Jackson, who joined Norwood up front, and Jordan Roberts.

And less than 90 seconds after the restart Andre Dozzell sent a low cross across the goalmouth for Jackson to drill into the net from close range.

The Blues should have added a third goal on the hour mark when pressure by Norwood saw the home lose possession and Rowe picked up the loose ball. He moved through the middle into the home side’s half and his clever pass released Jackson, whose tame left-foot effort failed to test Gerken.

But Lambert’s men quickly found the net again as Norwood claimed his second goal of the night, meeting a cross from Myles Kenlock, who had started the game at centre-half before moving to his usual left-back role, on the volley and firing spectacularly past the helpless keeper.

The ex-Tranmere man added a third in the 71st minute, this time turning in a cross by Jackson with a clever first-time finish and seconds later, before the visiting fans’ applause had died down, Jackson added a fifth from an assist by Jordan Roberts.

A beaming Norwood was withdrawn in the 77th minute and shook hands with both Lambert and assistant manager Stuart Taylor before taking a seat on the bench.

Colchester: Gerken (Ross 73), Vincent-Young (Collinge 73), Eastman (Kensdale 73), Sowunmi (Prosser 73), James (Ager 73), Lapslie (Comley 73), Stevenson (Pell 69), Senior (Fernandes 73), Gambin (Hasanally 73), Brown (Cowan-Hall 46), Nouble (Norris 73).

Town: Holy, Donacien, Chambers, Kenlock, Nydam (Wilson 46), Garbutt (Roberts 46), Rowe (Clements 85), Downes, Dozzell (Huws 61), El Mizouni (Jackson 46), Norwood (Dobra 77). Att: 5,210.

Photo: TWTD

TBT added 22:42 - Jul 19 Saxonblue74 nobody who posts on this site wants the Town to fail in any game, we all support the same team and care about ITFC but we might have different opinions. All of us enjoyed tonight but it doesn't stop me being sad about being in League 1 and I'm not apologising for that.
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Cakeman added 23:07 - Jul 19 Very enjoyable evening. Many stand out performances. Norwood was exceptional and what a stunning finish for his second. I thought Kenlock had a strong game too as did Rowe who I think could be a very useful player if given a run in the team. Our new keeper Holy looked very commanding too. The list goes on. All in all a very pleasing game.
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shouldistayorcounago added 23:09 - Jul 19 Anyone who was there got any feedback on Wilson?
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Saxonblue74 added 23:09 - Jul 19 TBT, I'm sure we're all singing from the same hymn sheet in that respect. Just an observation that whatever the headline there are a few who turn every article into the same debate.
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blues1 added 23:19 - Jul 19 Shouldistayorcounago. Wilson did ok. Watched him for a while when he came on and he looks to be a good defender, reads the game well. Would like to see him when under more pressure than a poor col utd team put him under but certainly didnt look out of place.
3

Blue56 added 23:25 - Jul 19 Enjoyed the game, Col U started well but soon out played. Norwood was always looking for the ball and will work well with Jackson. For all you Chambo haters, sorry he had a good game. Nice to be able to report on a positive note, no noise from the usual trolls!
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londontractorboy57 added 23:27 - Jul 19 Very encouraging game and terrific result fantastic away support as usual.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 23:48 - Jul 19 Enjoyable night out. The CUFC stewards are very friendly. Thought the first half was fairly even, but we dominated the second. Not reading too much into this result, but it was nice to get that winning feeling back. Great away support. Together we will prevail!
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Len_Brennan added 00:01 - Jul 20 Norwood is an out & out goal scorer, the kind of finisher we've been crying out for for a few years. He puts himself about too; great signing who will do well for us in Division 1 & hopefully when we're back in the Championship too.
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jong75 added 00:02 - Jul 20 Great result. Thats more like it. We must have played 2 up top second half? Thats what we need.
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shouldistayorcounago added 00:17 - Jul 20 blues 1 Thanks, sounds promising - It's as pleasing that we put so many away as it is we kept a clean sheet to be honest, an emphatic victory to boost morale all round.
3

martin587 added 06:50 - Jul 20 We the Town fans were once again fantastic.worth a goal start at every game.Very good all round performance and things look very promising.Still feel we need a strong CB but as I've already said “things looking good”Well done.👏
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Nobbysnuts added 08:17 - Jul 20 Superb boys. Norwood, judge and Jackson will destroy this league. So pleased for jackson he could be excellent playing up front with Norwood. Pace and power!!!! Coyb
4

IpswichT62OldBoy added 08:39 - Jul 20 We have waited a long time to feel like this. Its brilliant. Two weeks to kick off.
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DifferentGravy added 08:53 - Jul 20 Blue56 - I want the absolute very best for town. Players to be playing well.......because the team will play well............and invariably the results will be positive........resulting in a higher league position and happy fans. I dont hate any player. I dont know them personally and base my opinions on their ability, performance and how they impact the team. Chambers was dreadful last season, giving the ball away, losing his marker, poor ball retention etc. Jackson did nothing to convince me he was the answer to our goal scoring problems and barely made a contribution. I applauded the signing of Norwood, Ive seen him play several times live and felt he was a tidy player, hard working and would definitely score goals It sounds as though all three had a very good game against Colchester. Already Norwood showing his attacking capability. If Jackson and Chambers continue to play well I will support them like any other town player, even if they have the odd poor performance here and there. If they are simply not contributing and having a negative impact on the team then they shouldnt be in the squad.

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DifferentGravy added 08:54 - Jul 20 Great result and chuffed with a win........a 5-0 win!!
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ITFCsince73 added 09:09 - Jul 20 TBT. It does get annoying doesn't it
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inghamspur added 09:13 - Jul 20 I've always thought take friendly results with a pinch of salt but it is obvious to see that getting Norwood could be a game changer next season.
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cat added 09:15 - Jul 20 Sweet, at last something to be positive about.
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jas0999 added 09:16 - Jul 20 winning games is important for us after eighteen months of not really doing so. And this is some win! Lamberts right not to get carried away as I still think we need to strengthen that defence as tougher games in League One.
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:22 - Jul 20 Muck fe ! something to cheer about at long last. Well done lads keep it going , Good to see Jackson on target, and hope Norwood saves some for the real deal . Do i detect a glimmer of hope ?
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ITFCsince73 added 09:29 - Jul 20 3 stars on the shirt and we get excited about beating a mid table L2 side. A great win, but I'll save my excitement for winning remaining pre season games. Then taking 7 points from opening 3 games of the season. And winning away at Luton.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 09:38 - Jul 20 Saxonblue maybe people aren't bashing Evans because they're happy we've won a game and it's not the time to moan! We all want the club to do well and we will hopefully win the league doesn't take it away from the fact of where we are from when he took over to now and if we go up it will be the same story again bottom three budget! Let's hopefully enjoy the season as for me we have the manager who wants to play football

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braveblue added 09:39 - Jul 20 Saxonblue. After a good performance like this you post a negative comment. Crazy.
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Michael101 added 09:42 - Jul 20 Had a horrible few days.got up this morning to see this headline and everything in the garden is rosy ,onwards and upwards.😆😆😊😁😄😃
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