NE14Hockey East Men’s League

Division One

COLCHESTER made it an ideal start to the new season as they registered their second win in as many matches. Colchester made the ideal start to the game as they took the lead with just a minute on the clock. John Wilson made a great tackle deep inside the Cambridge City half and took the ball to the goal-line. Wilson cut the ball back to Joe Rich, who took a touch before firing the ball into the bottom corner.

Colchester’s lead was not to last long as the hosts had equalised before five minutes had elapsed. A Cambridge forward made a good run into the ‘D’ before being fouled by Rohan Khaira, gaining a penalty corner. The dragflick from the corner hit Matt Brown on the line, but fell to a Cambridge forward who pushed the ball into the net.

Colchester though had started the game well and had a chance to regain the lead, but Rohan Khaira fired wide after a neat one-two with Jack Devitt had got him in a good position. Both sides were looking dangerous on the break and only a good save by Liam Phillips prevented the home side from taking the lead.

Midway through the half Matt Brown forced the Cambridge keeper into a good save from a Penalty Corner after Rohan Khaira had been fouled in the ‘D’.

Both sides were still looking dangerous on the break with Cambridge having the ball in the Colchester goal after a deflection by the Colchester defence, however with the cross coming from outside the ‘D’ a Long Corner was the correct award.

On the half hour mark Colchester regained the lead. Tom Britton took a sideline hit to Jack Devitt, Devitt turned nicely on the halfway line before setting off on a run. As he neared the 23 meter line, Devitt passed the ball left to Tim Wright, who passed the ball down the line to John Wilson. Wilson centered the ball where Richard Sexton knocked the ball back to Rohan Khaira. Khaira’s shot was saved but the ball fell back to Sexton who had the simple task of pushing the ball into the empty net.

There was still time in the first half for Colchester to create a chance to extend their lead, when Mark Kennedy set up a quick break. However Jack Devitt’s shot was well saved.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with both sides looking dangerous in attack. It was the hosts that had the first chance of the second half; however Phillips in the Colchester goal got down well to block a shot to his right. However early in the half Colchester did extend their advantage. Chris Dunning intercepted the ball in the Cambridge half, Dunning found Rob Mann with his pass, and Mann turned and dribbled into the ‘D’ where he was fouled. Matt Brown’s dragflick from the penalty corner was deflected past the keeper into the bottom corner.

As the half wore on Cambridge were dominating possession and territory, however Colchester were playing well and sticking to their task and prevented their hosts from creating too many chances. And when they did create a chance they could not find a way past Liam Phillips.

Colchester still looked dangerous on the counter attack, a through ball just missing the end of Richard Sexton’s stick after good work down the left by Jack Devitt and Rob Mann.

With the game nearing the end Colchester were reduced to ten men as Tim Wright was given a five minute suspension for a stick tackle; however Colchester were able to see out the game without any further dramas.

The win gives takes Colchester to the top of the early season table and the will be looking to continue their fine start when they travel to Bury St Edmunds next week. The Mersea Homes Man of the Match was Matt Brown, for his fine work and composure at the back and second half goal.

Colchester Round-Up

Colchester second eleven also made it two wins in two games, as they won two-nil away against Witham second eleven. The third eleven continued their unbeaten start as well as they registered their second draw away against Havering third eleven, and the fourth eleven got their first points of the season as the opponents Southend third eleven conceded.