IT'S all systems go for Colchester United's first ever competitive match at its brand new stadium on Saturday.

James Hore

IT'S all systems go for Colchester United's first ever competitive match at its brand new stadium on Saturday.

The last few problems have been ironed out and the club is expecting a big turn out to watch the U's take on Huddersfield.

Tickets for the game went on sale yesterday after technical difficulties were resolved.

Supporters had been left frustrated on Monday when the first day's sale of tickets for the match was delayed.

But 24 hours later tickets were selling quickly and the club also confirmed it had been given a full safety certificate enabling all 10,000 fans into the new Weston Homes Community Stadium.

A club spokesman said: “Following a lengthy shift by the ticket office staff on Monday night, all season ticket holder details have now been inputted on to the system and other issues resolved, allowing sales to begin for the weekend game.

“With this being the first game that has been sold in its entirety, we would ask for patience as the staff process those fans waiting for their tickets.”

Online facilities will also become available in the coming days, enabling Huddersfield supporters to get their tickets.

Chief executive Marie Partner confirmed yesterday that last week's friendly against Athletic Bilbao had satisfied the licensing authorities that the club was ready to open up to 10,000-capacity from day-one.

She said: “At Monday's game, the sole purpose was to test operational systems of the stadium and its immediate surrounds.

“Various members of the safety advisory group were in attendance at the game and following a debriefing at the stadium on Wednesday, all authorities felt that they were of the opinion we should be granted a full safety certificate, starting from our first league game of the season.

“I am obviously delighted with this result, bearing in mind the short space of time we have had to get up and running and have right systems in place.

“There is obviously still some tweaking that needs to be done in certain areas, but nothing too serious that would have caused an adverse decision in not granting the certificate.”