WHCS Stadium Opener

Colchester United welcome Huddersfield Town to the Weston Homes Community Stadium tomorrow in the first ever game at the U`s all-new 10,000 capacity stadium.

The U`s will be looking to clock up their first three points of the new league season, following last week`s disappointing opening day defeat away to Hartlepool United. The midweek Carling Cup clash with Gillingham provided the U`s with a morale-boosting victory ahead of tomorrow`s stadium opener.

Meanwhile, the Terriers travel to North Essex looking to build on last weekend`s home draw against Stockport County. Town also progressed in the Carling Cup, beating Bradford City 4-0 at the Galpharm Stadium.

Vital Quotes:

U`s manager Geraint Williams told myfootballwrier: ‘I suppose when you look back at it in years to come it will be an historical event, but for us now it’s just the first home game of the season and we want to win it.

‘The historical side will come when we look back at it, because that’s when it becomes history.

‘We’re getting used to these occasions and it’s great, it’s a fantastic stadium and we’re looking for it to be full. Huddersfield will be bringing down a good following so we’ve got to match that and make noise off the pitch – and we’ve got to perform on it.

‘It’s a great day for everyone connected to the club, it’s been a long time and a lot of effort to get this stadium built. It’s a very good stadium, we’re delighted with it and we want to make it feel like home as soon as possible.

‘To do that we want a full house, we want a great atmosphere and we want to get the players to produce on the pitch and get points.’

Town boss Stan Ternent told the club`s official site: ‘It will be a good occasion. It’s the first match at the new stadium so they will be bang up for it. The expectation level will be high, so it should be a good carnival atmosphere and it’s something to look forward to.

‘There is no reason why we shouldn’t play as well as we did against Bradford. We need to play to our potential, which is as much as you can ask. Hopefully then you get a break, or a little rub of the green when you need it. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t perform well.

‘Colchester conceded quite a few goals in their first match, but none the other night, so it sounds as though they have it sorted out. The first games of the season are notoriously unpredictable. They say form book goes out the window and if you look back there were a few unexpected results.

‘Once things get settled down then sides start laying down markers and you get a reasonable idea about who is going to be in the shake-up, who’s going to struggle and who’s going to be indifferent.’

Colchester United Team News:

Colchester welcome back front-man Steven Gillespie to the squad after missing out midweek.

Fellow new-boy David Perkins (suspension) and defender Pat Baldwin (shoulder) will be unavailable.

Player to watch: Steven Gillespie

Gillespie scored the U`s two consolation goals last weekend at Hartlepool and will be looking to get his name on the scoreboard once more. The clever striker, 23, joined the Essex side in record-deal from Cheltenham Town last month. The former Liverpool trainee impressed U`s boss Williams with a 16 goal haul last season for the Robins.

Huddersfield Town Team News:

Huddersfield’s veteran striker Andy Booth (ankle) should return for the visitors.

David Unsworth will battle with Robbie Williams for the left-back spot.

Player to watch: Gary Roberts

Roberts netted twice in the Terriers midweek rout of Bradford City and will be looking to open his league account. The tricky winger, 22, signed for the Terriers from Suffolk side Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee earlier this summer. The ex-Accrington Stanley man fell out-of-favour at Portman Road and is looking to kick-start his career with Ternent`s men.

Match Facts & Stats

Last time out:

Huddersfield 2-0 Colchester

Terriers: Senior, Mirfin, Nathan Clarke, McIntosh, Smith, Worthington, Taylor-Fletcher, Collins, Brandon, Booth, Graham.

Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Abbott, Schofield, Ahmed, Tom Clarke.

Goals: Worthington 14, Graham 68.

U’s: Davison, Halford, Duguid, Brown, White (Elokobi 87), Danns, Watson, Yeates (Baldwin 54), Richards, Iwelumo, Garcia (Williams 77).
Subs Not Used: Gerken, King.

Sent Off: Richards (50).

Att: 13,515

Ref: G Salisbury (Lancashire).

Ref Watch:

Referee: Rob L Shoebridge (Derbyshire)

Assistants: S J Long and G M Smith

Fourth Official: L Betts

Match Prediction:

StevieG Col U’s prediction is a 3-1 U’s win!

Next Fixtures:

The U’s face a tough trip to face Swindon Town in a week, while the Terriers will meet MK Dons.


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