Super Dad became ‘super sub’ as Andy Bond drilled home a last-gasp winner to ensure a perfect start to the new season for Colchester United on Saturday, and now he is hoping to make an impact against Gillingham today.

Midfielder Bond had celebrated becoming a father just a week earlier, on the eve of the U’s last pre-season friendly at Maldon & Tiptree.

And no doubt buoyed by the birth of his first child, Bond obliged with an 88th minute winner at Gillingham, just 60 seconds after his introduction as a substitute.

In fact, Bond’s first touch was to crash home fellow substitute Drey Wright’s intelligent lay-off, to seal a deserved 1-0 victory for Joe Dunne’s men.

“I think it might have been my first touch. It was certainly a decent first touch!” enthused Bond.

“I’ve probably not made so much of an impact as a sub before, thinking off the top of my head.

“Drey Wright did his job on the left and cut it back, and I just arrived at the right place, at the right time, and luckily it went in.

“I hit it well, and whenever you catch a shot well, you always think it’s going to go in.

“And it was extra special to score in front of our travelling fans.”

The U’s took 10 games to record their first win of last season, but Bond’s bullet has got them off to a great start this term.

Now Bond will be hoping for a start, or at least some more game-time, when the U’s kick off their home campaign against Gillingham in the Capital One Cup this evening.