COLCHESTER United will travel to play Carlisle United on the opening day of the new Sky Bet League Two season.

The U's will make the long trip up to Cumbria for their 2021-22 season curtain-raiser on Saturday, August 7.

It will be Hayden Mullins' first game in charge since he was appointed as the club's new head coach, last month.

Colchester will follow that up with back-to-back home games against Northampton Town (August 14) and Mansfield Town (August 17).

The U's will then visit Oldham Athletic on August 21, before following that up with a trip to Rochdale (August 28).

Colchester are at home to Leyton Orient on Boxing Day and face a trip to play Crawley Town, on New Year's Day.

The U's will face their old boss John McGreal when they travel to play Swindon Town, on September 25.

McGreal is then set to return to the JobServe Community Stadium, on January 29. 

Gazette:

Mullins' side face Stevenage on November 20 (away) and April 9 (home).

Colchester's Easter programme this season sees them travel to Exeter City on Good Friday, before hosting Bradford City, on Easter Monday.

The U's complete the season with a trip to play newly-promoted Hartlepool United, on May 7.

Colchester United League Two fixtures, season 2021-22: 

AUGUST

August 7: Carlisle United (a), August 14: Northampton Town (h), August 17: Mansfield Town (h); August 21: Oldham (a), August 28: Rochdale (a).

SEPTEMBER

September 4: Sutton United (h); September 11: Barrow (a); September 18: Crawley Town (h); September 25: Swindon Town (a).

OCTOBER

October 2: Salford City (h); October 9: Tranmere Rovers (a); October 16: Harrogate Town (h); October 19: Bristol Rovers (h); October 23: Port Vale (a); October 30: Scunthorpe United (h).

NOVEMBER

November 13: Forest Green Rovers (a); November 20: Stevenage (a);  November 23: Exeter City (h); November 27: Newport County (h).

DECEMBER

December 7: Bradford City (a); December 11: Walsall (a); December 18: Hartlepool United (h); Boxing Day: Leyton Orient (h); December 29: Sutton United (a).

JANUARY

January 1: Crawley Town (a); January 8: Rochdale (h); January 15: Barrow (h); January 22: Salford City (a); January 29: Swindon Town (h).

FEBRUARY

February 5: Leyton Orient (a); February 8: Mansfield Town (a); February 12: Carlisle United (h); February 19: Northampton Town (a); February 26: Oldham Athletic (h).

MARCH

March 5: Port Vale (h); March 12: Scunthorpe United (a); March 15: Bristol Rovers (a); March 19: Forest Green Rovers (h); March 26: Tranmere Rovers (h).

APRIL

April 2: Harrogate Town (a); April 9: Stevenage (h); Good Friday: Exeter City (a); April 18: Bradford City (h); April 23: Newport County (a); April 30: Walsall (h).

MAY

May 7: Hartlepool United (a).