Steven Gillespie started his U's career with a bang as he scored a hat-trick in his forty-five minutes on the pitch against Tiptree United.

His treble, plus a goal from triallist Akanni-Sunday Wasiu, was enough to lift the U's to a 4-0 win after a goalless first half.

U's boss Williams opted for two teams playing forty five minutes each, with Wasiu being the only player to perform in both halves.

A quiet first half saw the U's, unsurprisingly, have the lion's share of possession against their non-league opposition but chances on goal were few and far between.

Centre halves Paul Reid and Matt Heath both had volleyed efforts at the home goal and Medy Elito and Johnnie Jackson shot wide.

The second half started at a much quicker tempo and it took the U's only four minute to open the scoring.

Tiptree had already had a scare before the ball ran to the edge of the box and triallist Wasiu, Sunday to his teammates, smashed his shot home.

There looked to be a deflection before the shot beat the keeper but the triallist looked keen to claim it as his effort.

With less than ten minutes gone in the second period, the U's went further ahead as Gillespie scored at the near post as Anthony Wordswoth's low cross arrowed into the box.

The former Cheltenham striker got his second of the night six minutes later as he latched onto a David Perkins through ball and calmly slotted it past the advancing keeper.

Tiptree rallied a bit drspite behind hit by three goals in fifteen minutes but it was the U's, and Steven Gillespie, who had the final say in the game.

It was Dean Hammond this time who found Gillespie free in the penalty area and a sharp finish with the outside off his right foot gave the long haired striker a hat-trick on his U's debut.

It was a good work-out for Geraint's first team squad and they travel only a litle further afield on Saturday afternoon to take on Heybridge Swifts.

First Half: Gerken, Ifil, Reid, Heath, Griffiths, Quintyn, Izzet, Jackson, Elito, Platt, Wasiu

Second Half: Cousins, White, Coyne, Hammond (J), Lockwood, Wasiu, Hammond (D), Perkins, Wordsworth, Vernon, Gillespie