FINALLY it had arrived, the first day if the season, after what seemed like forever we were going to see the new-look U’s in a competitive environment.

I personally never really like the trip to AFC Wimbledon; it is not the most inviting of grounds and the fact you have to drive at 20mph for a fair amount of the journey does make it feel like a much longer trip than the short hop to South London actually is.

But that said, when Ben Goodliffe dived to connect with a superb Jack Payne delivery give us the lead in under a minute, it all that seemed irrelevant.

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Then the same pair combined again and suddenly within the first ten minutes of the new season we were 2-0 up away from home, the 1,000+ travelling fans were on cloud nine.

The season was well underway, we looked a force to be reckoned with and our centre-back was on course for a hat-trick.

All going so well, until we were found wanting defensively and failed to clear our lines in what was Wimbledon's first real meaningful passage of play all game.

With 13 minutes gone, we were brought down to earth and it was a reminder that Wimbledon were still a threat, and we could not take our foot off the gas.

(Image: Richard Blaxall)

While we did try to reassert our hold on the game, as time went on we seemed to be more on the back foot and were finding it hard to win the midfield battle.

Their second was on the half hour mark and from then, the momentum definitely shifted in the hosts favour.

Their third was a dubious penalty for a harsh handball, but we should never have allowed the ball to get into our box for the ref to have a decision to make.

We lost possession deep in their half, failed to stop a marauding run down our left touch line and allowed a deep cross field diagonal ball to be played in to an area where they had way too much space.

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Of course, it is very easy to point out this and that after, and I am sure that this will be analysed and worked on.

We seemed to give both their wide players too much space and were very exposed from deep diagonal play.

Their fourth was another failure to clear the lines but that was of little concern after Goodliffe was left prostrate on the ground in a lot of discomfort.

It was clear for all to see that it was serious, and the amount of blood was worrying.

That, along with the fact that Danny Cowley rushed on the aid the medical staff, did have us fearing the worse.

(Image: Richard Blaxall)

In the end, Goodliffe walked off the pitch which is always a good sign, but it was confirmed post match that he had been taken to hospital with a nasty mouth injury and could well be minus a few teeth next time we see him.

So all in all, not a great day out. We showed glimpses of where we are at and the fact that we can play better than we did, for large parts of the game.

The first match of the season is always a bit hit and miss, with things not necessarily up to full speed.

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While pre-season can do so much, there is something about competitive games that cannot be replicated.

We need to look at this in isolation and not see it as a sign of things to come.

Give it until the end of the month, with Lyle Taylor hopefully back from injury and new signing Teddy Bishop up to full speed and we will see a much more all rounded side that can produce the first ten minutes of this match for the full 90 of others.

Strap in U’s fans, as this season is going to be wild. Roll on Tuesday and Reading in the cup.

Up the U’s.