Colchester 2 Long Sutton 3

Premier B

Colchester 2 Long Sutton 3

Colchester were left to count the cost of some poor finishing as they lost to fellow mid-tablers Long Sutton.

Colchester started the game in high spirits and were very dominating in the first half. Some good work in the 'D' by Matt Brown led to the first penalty corner of the match. Brown stepped up but his drag flick was cleared off the line.

It wasn't long before Colchester had a goal to show for their endeavours. Another penalty corner to the home side saw Brown not to be denied this time as his low drag flick found the bottom corner.

Colchester had quickly doubled their advantage. Rohan Khaira found Matt Brown, whose return pass found Khaira one on one with the goalkeeper. As Khaira shifted the ball to his left he was fouled by the out rushing keeper. Brown stepped up to take the penalty stroke, sending the ball high to the keepers right.

Colchester continued to dominate the first half and had further chances to extend their lead. Wayne Masters just failing to get a touch on a Khaira cross and Craig Warriner firing straight at the keeper after a good run.

Long Sutton pulled a goal back against the run of play late in the half. A good save by Liam Phillips at a penalty corner only found its way back to an attacker, who was fouled in the act of shooting.

The resultant penalty stroke was flicked past Phillips in the Colchester goal.

Colchester were unlucky not to have a second penalty stroke on the stroke of half time. Another penalty corner attempt by Brown was saved on the line, with the ball finding the injector Warriner on the post. His attempt at goal was stopped on the line by a Long Sutton foot, however the umpire, not being able to see the angle of the shot, only awarded a second penalty corner, which Colchester failed to convert.

In the second half the visitors came more into the game and early in the half they had drawn level.

Some poor defending by Colchester allowed a Long Sutton midfielder to run with the ball and it was his early shot as he entered the 'D' that fooled Phillips, as he let the ball in between his legs.

Colchester continued to have chances in the second half but just couldn't quite find the finish. Khaira failing to find Brown after a good run by Warriner.

Colchester were then lucky not to be reduced to ten men as Phillips in the Colchester goal kicked the ball outside his 'D'. Colchester were fortunate the umpire only awarded a penalty corner and a green card to Phillips.

Colchester should have regained the lead when a Brown penalty corner was saved on the line and, with the keeper stranded, Colchester's forwards were just too slow to take advantage as a Long Sutton defender was able to clear.

Long Sutton took the lead for the first time in the game when they were able to break quickly down the left. The ball was centred to the top of the 'D' where the Long Sutton forward took a touch before firing the ball over the advancing Phillips.

Colchester once again had chances to get back in the game, a good run by Warriner along the goal line almost brought an equaliser.

However, Warriner went on his own and tried to score from a tight angle when Masters was waiting unmarked on the penalty spot.

Brown had two further chances to complete his hat-trick as yet another penalty corner strike was saved on the line and he had a deflection from a Michael Pearce pass going narrowly wide.

Hills Residential Man of the Match was Matt Foakes for his brilliant and consistent defending.

Colchester will be looking for some better finishing when they play West Herts at home next week.