East Men’s League Hockey

Premier B Division

COLCHESTER were left to rue missed chances as they came from behind to register a draw away at Crostyx. Colchester dominated the early possession but were unable to find a way past the home goalkeeper. When Colchester did beat the keeper from a Penalty Corner effort, there was a defender in the way to clear the ball.

Mid-way through the half the home side took the lead against the run of play, but Colchester were not deterred for long and were soon back to moving the ball round looking for space in the Crostyx defence, but were still unable to put the ball in the back of the net.

Colchester continued playing the second half like they ended the first but were still struggling to put the ball in the goal, Rob Mann putting the ball narrowly wide after a cross was deflected into his path. The chances continued to flow in the second half with Jack Devitt and Vince Moore having reverse stick efforts saved by the Crostyx goalkeeper.

Colchester finally got the goal that their efforts deserved. Alfie Sexton was crudely fouled inside the 25 yard line to give the visitors a penalty corner. The corner injection missed its mark, but Michael Pearce allowed the ball to leave the ‘D’ before pushing the ball back into the ‘D’ and see his bobbling shot hit the back of the net.

Colchester pressed on in search of a goal that would take them into the lead, but also had to be wary of the threat that their hosts posed on the break, Mark Kennedy getting back well to clear off the line after Jack Gardner was beaten. With the game wearing on Colchester did have the ball in the net twice more, but both times the ball had failed to hit a Colchester stick in the ‘D’.

A neat move by Colchester almost saw the visitors take all three points. Richard Sexton started a move down the right which saw the ball get to Jack Devitt on the baseline, Devitt’s perfectly weighted pass found Rob Mann in the ‘D’, but Mann’s lifted first time effort only found the body of the out-rushing Crostyx goalkeeper.

Colchester had to settle for one point, which could be crucial in their battle to beat the drop and will be hoping for better finishing when they travel to face Letchworth next week. Ellisons Solicitors Men of the Match were Jack Gardener and Michael Pearce.

COLCHESTER ROUND-UP

The second eleven were downed by top of the table Chelmsford 2nd XI in division 3SE, Bertie Mortimer scoring Colchester’s goal in a 4-1 defeat. The third eleven moved up a place to fourth in division 5SE with a 5-0 victory at Maldon & Little Baddow 2nd XI, Tim Sarson (2), Darren Hartnup, Nick Gibbs and Hal Pearson scoring the goals. There was an emphatic victory for the fourth eleven, Joe Gray bagging a double hat-trick and Gavin James adding another hat-trick as they ran out 13-2 winners against Old Loughtonian Academy, Ali Desborough, Connor Scoynes, Alex Pink and Rob Parker completed the scoring.