Braintree Town 4–0 Colchester United U21: Iron Dominate Young U’s

Braintree Town recorded a comprehensive 4–0 victory over Colchester United’s Under‑21 side in a pre‑season friendly on 25 July 2026. The National League South side used the fixture to fine‑tune their attacking combinations, running out comfortable winners at the Rare Breed Meat Stadium.

Match Overview

The Iron, managed by Angelo Harrop, fielded a strong starting eleven looking to build match sharpness. Colchester’s young side, composed mostly of academy prospects, struggled to cope with Braintree’s senior experience and physicality. The hosts opened the scoring inside ten minutes and never looked back.

Goal Summary

• 8’ – Kyran Clements – A header from a corner kick.
• 33’ – Alfie Cerulli – A composed finish after a through ball split the U’s defence.
• 61’ – Charlie Aitken – A powerful strike from the edge of the box.
• 78’ – Inih Effiong – The veteran forward added a fourth with a close‑range tap‑in.

Key Performances

Braintree’s midfield trio of Samir Carruthers, Frankie Norton, and Kyran Clements controlled the tempo, while full‑backs Matt Johnson and Kodi Lyons‑Foster provided width and delivery. Colchester’s best moment came in the 55th minute when winger Oscar Thorn forced a diving save from Braintree keeper Jack Sims.

What the Result Means

For Braintree, the win builds momentum as they prepare for the upcoming National League South season. Manager Harrop will be pleased with the clean sheet and the variety of goals, indicating positive signs in both set‑pieces and open play. Colchester’s U21s will treat the fixture as a valuable development opportunity against competitive senior opposition.

The Iron now turn their attention to further friendlies, aiming to blend new signings with existing squad members ahead of the league kick‑off.