Broxbourne 4 Colchester 2

NE14Hockey East League

Premier B

Broxbourne 4

Colchester 2

AFTER two games unbeaten Colchester slumped to defeat away at fellow strugglers Broxbourne. In a much changed side due to unavailability there was a first call up for veteran defender Tony Elston.

Broxbourne started the game the better, pushing men forward from deep and within five minutes had taken the lead, the Broxbourne forward firing past Grant Hibbert. This spurred Colchester into life and within minutes Colchester had got an equaliser. Tom Philp showed some nice skill to win a Penalty Corner, which he took himself, scuffing the ball into the bottom corner.

The third goal of the match happened almost instantaneously. Rohan Khaira put in a good tackle in midfield before playing a neat one-two with Rob Mann. As Khaira received the return pass he was able to slip the ball past the keeper to give Colchester the lead.

Colchester continued to create chances with Richard Sexton showing well down the right to win Colchester a penalty corner. However with Tom Philp taking a breather on the sideline, Colchester's routine was poor and the chance was gone. Colchester's best chance of extending their advantage came after Rohan Khaira had done well down the right. His pass found Rob Mann, who chose to shot from a tight angle with men waiting in the middle. Colchester did have the ball in the back of the net from another Penalty Corner, however Tim Wright's slap shot was over the backboard and the goal was disallowed.

Broxbourne equalised before the half was up. A mix up in the Colchester defence, left a Broxbourne forward unmarked in the 'D', when he was found from a long pass he had the simple task of firing past Hibbert from close range.

The second half started more slowly with both sides trying not to over exert themselves. It was Colchester that were having the better of the play. Tim Wright went on a mazy run but was robbed of a chance when Rob Mann got in his way. Colchester continued to look for a goal and were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty flick. Rohan Khaira drove straight through the heart of the Broxbourne defence and was cynically fouled when he had got into a shooting position. However the umpire only deemed the foul worthy of a penalty corner. Colchester went close to scoring from the resultant penalty corner. Tom Philp's shot was saved with Michael Pearce firing just wide from the rebound.

Colchester were looking good and continued to create chances with Wright having a deflected chance blocked. Colchester's best chance of regaining the lead came from a penalty corner. Tom Philp's strike was saved by the Broxbourne keeper and Duncan Scott followed up to lift the ball over the stricken keeper, however he could not find a way past the defender on the line.

With just eight minutes remaining Broxbourne regained the lead. The Colchester defence stood off a Broxbourne attacker, allowing him to shoot in the 'D'. With Hibbert unsighted the ball hit the keeper's glove then thigh and trickled over the goal line.

Colchester though continued to press and this left space at the back. Broxbourne got into the 'D' and drew a foul for their first penalty corner of the match. A neat slip to the left gave a free shot to the Broxbourne forward who made no mistake in doubling their advantage and putting the game beyond Colchester.

Colchester will be looking to make amends next week when they host Bottom of the table Bourne at the Garrison next week. Tony Elston and Rohan Khaira were voted Hills Residential Men of the Match. Elston for his work in the Colchester defence and Khaira for his work rate in midfield.