Max Cornhill earned the plaudits of Manager Glenn Pennyfather after his goal double at Barrows Farm helped City to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Ryman League side Harlow Town, David Rainford and Warren Whitely converting the other goals for the Clarets in their penultimate pre-season friendly.

Skipper Rainford opened the scoring for the visitors, drilling home with conviction from outside the area on 17 minutes. City could then have had a spot kick awarded to them after a handball appeal mid-way through the half and new signing Joe Benjamin missed an opportunity when well placed, but the Clarets had a single-goal lead to take into the interval.

After half time cam two quick Cornhill goals, firstly rising at the far post to head in City’s second with five minutes played. Just sixty seconds later he added another, this time powering past the home goalkeeper following a good move down the left. The fourth arrived twelve minutes from time through substitute Whitley, who classily beat his man before heading into the goal.

James Peagram notched a consolation for the Hawks in the dying moments, but Glenn was pleased with the match overall. He said: “Max will always get goals and has proven what I already knew – how much of a quality player he is. It was good to have players back and I’m pleased with the performance in beautiful facilities, which leant towards our style of play.”

Glenn offered trials to central defender Dallas Moore, formerly of Grimsby Town, ex-Thurrock striker Leon McKenzie and Warren Whitely, an attacking wide midfielder who has recently been with Harrow Borough. “Dallas was recommended to me by a good friend,” Glenn added. “He’s played on the USA pro circuit and we took a look at him, along with Leon who has played in the League and Warren, who’s a pacey winger.”

Meanwhile, Glenn confirmed he’ll have at least one goalkeeper signed imminently, while there may still be room to add to the outfield squad. One player who has departed, however, is central defender Rob Swaine. Pennyfather explained: “Rob has missed a lot of pre-season, meaning he is some way behind the rest of the squad. He needs games to get him fit, which we can’t offer him right now, but we have other options in that position already.”

City: Joe Woolley, Ben Nunn, Aiden Palmer, Kenny Clark, Adam Tann, Max Cornhill, David Rainford, Ricky Modeste, Sam Corcoran, Kezie Ibe, Joe Benjamin. Substitutes: Jermaine Brown, Leon McKenzie, Dallas Moore, Greg Morgan, Tyrone Scarlett, Warren Whitely, Stuart Searle (GK).