Colchester 2 Saffron Walden 1

NE14HOCKEY East League

Division 1N

Colchester 2 Saffron Walden 1

Colchester held on to a hard fought win over Saffron Walden on Saturday.

The Essex side started the game brightly with plenty of possession but found it difficult to break through a strong Saffron Walden defence.

On the break the visitors were strong but Colchester managed to stifle any attempts on goal with some excellent tackling by Naomi Allen, Anna-Marie Bradley and Jo Bidgood.

At the other end the home side won several penalty corners but were unable to convert any until close to the end of the half.

With five minutes to go a penalty corner routine did pay off as Anna Foley struck the ball from the top of the 'D' and the ball was diverted into the back of the net by Kirsty Barber to give the home side a 1-0 half time lead.

The second half was more difficult for Colchester with Saffron Walden picking up their game and causing some uncertainty in the Colchester defence.

The home side were able to ride the storm for much of the half and still looked dangerous on the attack but found it more and more difficult to get any shots on goal.

With ten minutes remaining Saffron Walden broke again and got the equaliser when an unmarked player sneaked in at the far post to tap in from close range.

Colchester didn't give up though and clinched the victory when Lucy Struth drove down the left wing and struck the ball into the area where man of the match Kirsty Barber was on hand to deflect the ball past the keeper to give the home side a 2-1 win.