Nick Tedder-Ward scored twice on his debut as Colchester got their new league season off to a great start with a 3-2 win over against newly-promoted Brentwood.

Dean Campbell was also on target as the hosts were victorious, in their first game in East Men’s League division one under new skipper Richard Sexton.

Sexton said: “It was a close game and it was good to get off to a winning start.

“We’ve lost a few of our players from last season because of work and university commitments.

“But all of our new players started well and it was great to see Nick score a couple of goals on his debut.”

Colchester, who also handed debuts to Paul Harris, Guy Harrison, Chris Fowler and Alex Pink, enjoyed plenty of first-half possession and territory.

However, they were unable to make their dominance tell.

Colchester thought they had taken the lead shortly after half-time when Lloyd Dennis controlled the ball in the D before flicking it into the goal.

However, the umpires spotted a foot foul and the goal was disallowed.

Brentwood took the lead soon after when a ball in from the right was deflected past keeper Harris.

But Tedder-Ward equalised for Colchester and Dean Campbell soon gave them the lead, after he swept in from a well-worked penalty corner.

However, Brentwood had a goal disallowed and equalised soon after with a strike straight from a penalty corner.

Colchester responded well though and man-of-the-match Tedder-Ward deflected in a neat penalty corner move for his second goal, to give the hosts victory.

Colchester will be hoping to continue their good start when they travel to newly-promoted side Spalding, this weekend.

Colchester’s second team made good start to life back in division 4SE with a 5-2 win at Brentwood III.

The club’s third XI also won after beating Redbridge and Ilford 2nd XI 3-1, in division 5SE.

Colchester’s fourth team were unable to make it a clean sweep though as they lost 2-1 at Waltham Forest IV, in division 7SE.

For a full round-up of local hockey action, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.