Canterbury II 4 Colchester 3

Premier Division

Canterbury II 4 Colchester 3

WITH a long journey and adverse weather conditions making the day difficult, Colchester were expecting a tough match away at Canterbury. Missing a few people and only being able to take 11 people made the task of playing Canterbury, flying high in the table, even more daunting.

The visitors started positively, gaining early possession and putting Canterbury under pressure straight away, narrowly missing the target within the first couple of minutes. Unfortunately Canterbury counter attacked quickly and managed to beat the Colchester defence to go 1-0 up.

Colchester rallied and immediately attacked once more with Helen Barnes on hand to put the finishing touch on a well constructed attack for the teams to draw equal. Colchester continued to apply the pressure on Canterbury, with Emma Cresswell-Maynard putting two further goals past the Canterbury keeper before half time.

Colchester continued to play excellent hockey in the second half, repeatedly putting their hosts under pressure although Canterbury, with the wind now behind them, also looked dangerous on the attack. Mersea Homes Player of the Match defender Sarah Rose did a great job of keeping the Canterbury attackers clear of the goal, including a fantastic clearance from the line to prevent a goal. Unfortunately the home team continued to apply pressure, and scored three goals from well practiced and well executed short corners to get the better of Colchester's defence and the match finished at 4-3 to the home team.

All in all a disappointing result for Colchester, but heartening at the same time with a good team effort against a team who have had good results so far this season. Colchester look forward to the challenge of playing host to top of the league Dereham next week at the Abbeyfields pitch.