Colchester 2 Pelicans 2

NE14HOCKEY East League

Premier B

Colchester 2 Pelicans 2

Colchester ended a run of three straight defeats with a hard fought point at home to Pelicans.

Still ravaged by injuries and unavailability's, Colchester battled bravely as they fought back from an early two goals by the visitors.

Pelicans started the brighter of the two sides as they passed the ball about slickly. They were soon rewarded with two goals in the first ten minutes.

The second goal looked like it spelt the end for Colchester as Pelicans looked to ram home their advantage.

However, as the game wore on Colchester came into the game more and more and soon had reduced the deficit.

A penalty corner for Colchester broke down, but the home side managed to retain possession. The ball was fired back into the 'D' where Tom Philp was on hand to deflect the ball into the Pelicans goal.

Colchester had further chances in the first half to get back on level terms as both Rohan Khaira and Philp had chances from penalty corners, but neither were able to get a decent shot off.

Colchester started the second half as they finished the first, pressing hard on the visitors goal in search of the equaliser.

The Essex side looked very dangerous and were unlucky not to have pulled level after a magical pass by Will Devitt found Lloyd Dennis unmarked on the back post, but Dennis could only find the keeper.

Colchester's task was aided by the sin-binning of two of the visiting players, one for too much dissent and the other for a bad tackle.

Once again Colchester pushed hard for the equaliser, which they soon had. A free-hit to Colchester just inside the Pelicans 25-yard line was taken quickly by Khaira, straight to Will Devitt at the far post, who slotted the ball home with aplomb.

Colchester had further chances to take the lead in the game, but kept finding the Pelicans keeper instead of the net.

Hills Residential man-of-the-match for the second week running was Matt Foakes for his superb defending once again.