AFTER what seems an age, football finally returned at the weekend as Colchester United played their first pre-season game of the summer.
It's hard to believe that it was only 55 days or so since last season ended with the U's draw against Barrow.
We have managed to pack a lot in that time, with the biggest story being the announcement of an ongoing takeover bid that seemed to be close to completion, only to have that suddenly carpet pulled from under our feet for various reasons that only those close to the negotiations will ever know.
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Enough has been said and written about it over the previous weeks but personally, I think we need to put that out of our minds and focus on what is in front of us, with the season fast approaching.
I think there'll potentially be a hangover from all the time spent in negotiations and how it has impacted the process of preparing for the 2025-26 season.
This made the Maldon and Tiptree friendly at the weekend even more interesting, as it was the first chance to see just where we stood on the pitch and the starting point from where we can build.
If I'm honest, I actually think all told that we're in a better position compared to this time, last year.
The core of the squad has been maintained and although the departure of the likes of Kelleher and Egbo will be a loss, the new signings and players brought in from the younger game groups look settled and this is before we get our first look at the likes of Dominic Gape and highly-rated youngster Ben Perry.
We fielded two different line-ups each half to ensure players got game time in their legs, rather than assess any tactical tweaks.
But in the first half, new loan signing Will Goodwin led the line well and showed intelligence, on and off the ball.
The majority of the side were players we all saw plenty of last season and they all looked like that have reported back to pre-season fit and hungry to push on.
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The standout player of the half for me was one who has maybe slipped under the radar of a few U’s fans - young Ronnie Harvey.
He played a solid 45 in midfield, was keen to be on the ball and put himself about the pitch, not afraid to get stuck in and showing a lot of energy.
His reading of the game was impressive and to all watching, it would have been easy to mistake him for a player coming back for yet another season of first-team football - not a 17-year-old taking his first steps in the senior side.
We took a well deserved 2-0 lead into the break, after a dominant display in the rather warm sunshine.
We fielded a different XI in the second half and it wasn't quite as fluid after the break, due perhaps to the fact that the players who took to the field hadn’t played together as much as the first-half side.
There was a trialist winger on the left who linked up will with player of the half Ellis Iandolo and looked keen to drive the play forward down his side.
New signing Jaden Williams led the line this time out and produced a good display and was a handful for the Maldon defence, although I'm sure he will be kicking himself with the penalty miss that he blasted over the bar.
Hard-working Harry Anderson was rewarded with the only goal of the half and yet another clean sheet due to a solid defensive display by a younger backline gave us a 3-0 win.
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I think Colchester fans left Maldon and Tiptree in a positive mindset, with a few fears eased about how much the takeover talk may have affected the preparations.
I know it is very early days and there will be much tougher opponents to come.
But with a few first-team players still to make an appearance due to knocks and seeing where we are at right now, I don't think we're in a bad position and there's reason for optimism.
There's still time to add and tweak between now and the start of the league season so all in all, as a first look, I was pleased.
Up the U’s.
