COLCHESTER United boss Geraint Williams is expecting tonight's historic first visitors to the new stadium, Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao, to try and boss possession on what is a “large pitch.

Carl Marston

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Geraint Williams is expecting tonight's historic first visitors to the new stadium, Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao, to try and boss possession on what is a “large pitch.”

Tickets have been selling fast for the U's first ever game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium - there is an enforced capacity of 5,000 for this inaugural fixture (the ground has an overall capacity of 10,000), and more than 4,000 tickets had been snapped up by yesterday.

Williams is relishing this evening's curtain-raiser. He said: “We are looking forward to christening the new ground.

“We trained on the pitch on Friday. The stadium looks bigger than the 10,000 capacity, and it should be a tough test for us.

“It's a very big pitch, probably bigger than the one we've just played on at Carrow Road. We will be expecting Bilbao to try and keep the ball, and they will use the ball well.”

Williams was content with Saturday's 2-2 draw at Norwich, although he was not happy with the way his own team struggled to retain possession.

“I'm a bit disappointed with the way we used the ball today. We looked solid defensively, but it was a step up in opposition for us. Norwich are a Championship side, and a good one, and we found it hard to move the ball,” continued Williams.

“However, it was pleasing to still score two goals and get a 2-2 draw, despite not playing too well.”