Joe Dunne said he got exactly what he wanted from Colchester United’s opening pre-season friendly at Heybridge Swifts.
The U’s 2-1 win against their Ryman League division one north hosts at Scraley Road was overshadowed by Craig Eastmond’s worrying ankle injury, which resulted in the midfielder being carried off.
Ryan Doyle’s challenge on Eastmond left Dunne furious but aside from that incident, the U’s boss was satisfied with the way things went.
Dunne said: “It wasn’t about the result - it was about us getting around the pitch and getting a feel of the ball.
“When you’re the first XI to go out in a pre-season friendly, it’s always a bit tentative.
“The second half pace was a bit different to the first half pace but I got exactly what I wanted from the game.
“There were two good finishes for our goal and we had plenty of shots and got in some good positions.
“A lot of things need refining but that’s why we’re playing these amount of games.”
Colchester fell behind midway through the first half when Ben Newson finished neatly, from Luke Callander’s pass.
But well-taken goals from John-Joe O’Toole and Drey Wright in the second half gave Colchester victory.
“Heybridge did very well with their organisation and they got players behind the ball,” added Dunne.
“They worked extremely hard and they were very difficult to break down, like any team that gets players behind the ball.
“We went to Heybridge with the full intention of getting the ball at the players’ feet as much as possible.
“We wanted players to have as many touches of the ball as possible.
“I think overall we got that and as we get closer to the start of the season, the pace and the tempo will increase.
“It was a very good pitch and all credit to the Heybridge groundsman for that.”
The U’s are in action again tonight when they travel to play Witham Town in another pre-season friendly, kick-off 7.45pm.
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