Joe McConnell
AFC Wimbledon overturned a disastrous opening 10 minutes, in which they were two goals down, to defeat Colchester 4-2.
Less than 60 seconds into the new season, a deep cross from Jack Payne found an unmarked Ben Goodliffe, who headed the ball past Owen Goodman.
The pair linked up again seven minutes later when the former Sutton player intercepted a pass from Payne in the box.
However, Wimbledon responded when James Ball deflected an Omar Bugiel shot past Matt Macey.
The hosts equalised just before the half-hour mark when Jake Reeves curled a shot from the edge of the area.
And the turning point of the first half was completed in the 37th minute, when Matty Stevens converted a penalty following a handball by John Kymani-Gordon.
Bugiel scored Wimbledon’s fourth eight minutes after the restart, just after Alistair Smith had hit the crossbar.
Goodliffe saw a promising afternoon come to an end after the goal, as his attempt to free himself led to his injury.
Colchester showed more energy in the latter stages, but the south London side finished the game.
