Colchester United will head to Northampton Town this weekend to kick off their 2022/23 Sky Bet League Two campaign.
The league action returns this weekend with the U's heading to Sixfields on Saturday afternoon following a summer of preparations here in North Essex.
Wayne Brown, Joe Dunne and Dave Huzzey were confirmed as the new permanent management team at the JobServe Community stadium earlier in the summer, and have had a full pre-season with the squad ahead of Saturday's opener.
But the trio will have to contend the first fixture without the presence of Club Captain, Tommy Smith, or summer arrival Emyr Huws with both out injured for the first games of the season.
Nevertheless, the squad will be ready for a test against one of the favourites for promotion this season at Sixfields on Saturday afternoon.
The Opposition
John Brady's side went agonisingly close to automatic promotion last season, with Bristol Rovers overtaking them at the final hurdle on a dramatic final day.
And the Cobblers were defeated in the play-offs as well, with Mansfield Town claiming an aggregate victory in the semi-finals.
But returning for the new season, Northampton have reinforced their attacking options with Danny Hylton arriving on a free transfer from Luton Town. The experienced striker has a proven reputation for goals in the fourth tier, netting twenty-one times in thirty-nine games last time he was in the division.
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts who was named in the PFA Team of the Season opted for a move away from Sixfields with Championship Middlesbrough the destination.
As a replacement, Northampton have signed twenty-nine-year-old shot-stopper Lee Burge from Sunderland.
With plenty of games under his belt for the Black Cats and Coventry City, Burge joins with a wealth of experience higher up the footballing pyramid, having been named in the Sky Bet League One Team of the Season for the 2020/21 campaign.
Last Time We Met
It was a tough day at the office for the U's on their last visit to Sixfields. Wayne Brown's side were a goal down after fifteen minutes with Fraser Horsfall on target, before Sam Hoskins doubled the advantage just after half time. It was a game that the U's never really looked comfotable in, with Benny Ashley-Seal adding a third just before the final whistle.
Ticket Info
Tickets will be available to purchase from the U's Ticket Office until 2pm on Friday 29th July. The Ticket Office is open in person from 10am-2pm, or on 01206 755161 between 10am-3pm Monday to Friday.
Tickets will also be available to purchase on the day (Card Only) from Northampton Town, with a price increase. Click HERE for all the information on Saturday's tickets.
iFollow
If you can't make it to the game on Saturday afternoon, you can keep up with it via iFollow. Audio passes are available for £2.50 in the UK, with video passes available for £10 if you are watching from outside the UK. Click HERE to see what options are available for you.