GOALS from Anthony Wordsworth and Clive Platt made it a winning start for new U’s boss John Ward in Saturday’s first pre-season friendly.

Ward fielded two different sides in each half against their Blue Square South opponents, with first-year scholar Shaun Phillips tasting ten minutes of action between the posts and three triallists - Lloyd James, James Walker and Ben Coker - also given the chance to impress.

Kayode Odejayi shot narrowly over the crossbar before the U’s took the lead after 19 minutes, James drifting over a free kick which Wordsworth rose to head home.

Mark Cousins had to get down to save a 25-yard shot from Joe Taribi as Dover tried to hit back, while at the other end James shot over the bar from Steven Gillespie’s right-wing cross.

New signings Brian Wilson and Andy Bond were given their first run out in a Colchester shirt as they came on at half time along with Walker, who partnered Platt in attack.

Bond drilled a long-range effort just wide and then on the hour Ian Henderson sidefooted over the bar after Simon Hackney had pulled the ball back into his path.

Platt headed just over from a corner, but in the 70th minute Platt extended the visitors’ lead, heading home from Henderson’s cross after he had been fed by Wilson.

Henderson almost got his name on the scoresheet soon after, the Dover keeper making an excellent save.

With 15 minutes remaining Wilson was replaced by Lee Beevers, who missed most of last season through injury, as Ward was able to get a good look at his squad.

Colchester will continue their pre-season build-up when they travel to Scraley Road to face Heybridge Swifts on Wednesday.