First silverware of the season.

Okay, so we created the Cup and hosted it on our ground. And it's preseason. But it's a start, right?


The lads won the inaugural Emirates Cup after a pair of 2-1 wins. The first was against PSG on Saturday, and the second-which clinched the Cup-was against Inter on Sunday. We sealed the trophy win with an absolutely insane goal from Robin van Persie. I had to watch it a number of times just to be sure I actually saw it happen.

The tournament also was a great chance for the kids and reserves to get a chance to shine, and of those who played, a number did quite well. Most notable had to be Kieran Gibbs, who was given the starting left wing position against Inter. Armand Traore came on as a second half substitution in the match, while the PSG match on Saturday saw run outs for Mark Randall, Traore, and Denilson.

After appearing in the match on Friday against Bishop's Stortford, it appears Vito Mannone's loan to Gretna is off, or at least on hold. I'll dig a little deeper on that one for you.

Not a lot of preseason talk about our other loanee Matthew Connolly lately, so a quick review of his activity is in order, yes?

Colchester opened their preseason with a 3-0 win over Heybridge Swifts, and Matthew played the entire second half. Their next match was a 0-0 draw with Chelmsford, of which Matthew played 30 minutes, coming on as a second half substitute. Another draw followed, as Matthew started and played 62 minutes as Cambridge United managed the 1-1 scoreline.

Finally, the U's played out a 1-1 draw yet again, this time against a Liverpool XI. Matthew started this match and played the entire 90.

I'll have updates throughout the season on all loan players, as the schedules are a little better known and more regular.

Time to sleep off the pain of a sunburn.