Colchester 3 Bourne 2

NE14Hockey East Men's League

Premier B

Colchester 3 Bourne 2

COLCHESTER put last week's disappointing result behind them as they came back from two goals down to beat bottom side Bourne at the Garrison. It was very much a game of two halves, with Colchester playing poorly in the first half to allow their visitors to score twice. However a much improved side came out for the second half to give the home side a much needed win.

With just minutes gone Colchester were indebted to Liam Phillips, making his first appearance for the first XI this season, in the Colchester goal, as he came out well to deny any chance and shortly afterwards made a great save when the ball looked to be heading for the bottom corner.

It was the visitors that continued to have the better of the chances and the Colchester defence was fully tested. Mark Kennedy and Matt Low combined well to break down play after Bourne had broken well down the left.

Halfway through the half the visitors deservedly took the lead. A long ball into the 'D' found an attacker whose turn drew a foul from Michael Pearce. From the resultant penalty corner Bourne had their lead. A neat routine, slipping the ball to the right before centring again gave the forward a shot from close range, from which he made no mistake.

Colchester's only real chance of the half came in the 20th minute. Michael Pearce found Ed Nott down the left. Nott turned into the 'D' and found Rob Mann. Mann drew a foul and got Colchester their first penalty corner of the match. Matt Low's effort was saved and Rob Mann fired wide with the rebound.

With 24 minutes gone, Bourne extended their advantage. Tim Wright was dispossessed on the right and the visitors broke quickly, Mark Kennedy came across to thwart the attack at the expense of a long corner. From the long corner Bourne worked the ball into the 'D' before getting off a tame shot. Phillips would have saved the shot but for a deflection from close range.

A much improved Colchester side came out for the second half and within a minute had their first chance of the half. The ball was lifted dangerously out of defence by Bourne and the umpire awarded a penalty corner. Matt Brown's effort was saved by the Bourne keeper when heading for the top corner.

Colchester got a foothold back in the match after 40 minutes. Colchester transferred the ball well through the back line to Ed Nott. Nott forwarded the ball to Tim Wright who drew the foul in the 'D' for another penalty corner for Colchester. This time Matt Brown flicked the ball to the keeper's left. With the keeper already committed right, the ball flicked off the keeper on its way to the back of the net.

Colchester were controlling the ball and the game much better and didn't have to wait long to get the equaliser. From a sideline hit, Rohan Khaira crossed the ball from the right. The cross got a deflection but found its way to Matt Brown at the back post who made no mistake as he found the bottom corner.

Colchester now with the momentum continued to create chances but were just falling at the final hurdle. Matt Brown and Matt Low going on good runs but just unable to find their forward in the 'D'.

After 50 minutes Colchester were unlucky not to take the lead. Richard Sexton was fouled in the 25 yard line and when the Bourne defender said something the umpire awarded a penalty corner. Matt Low's strike this time was heading towards goal when a Bourne defender got a touch and deflected the ball onto the post.

Bourne threatened little in the second half and when they did they found Mark Kennedy in fine form as he snuffed out chances time and tie again.

On the hour mark Colchester finally took the lead. Tom Philp made a good tackle in midfield before passing the ball up the field to Rob Mann. Mann played the ball across the pitch first time to Matt Brown. Brown took a couple of touches into the 'D' before drawing out the Bourne keeper and squaring the ball back to the on rushing Mann. Mann slapped the ball first time into the goal to give the hosts a deserved lead.

Colchester continued to play well and had a good chance to extend their lead. Rob Mann broke quickly before finding Matt Brown. Brown then found Tim Wright in 'D'. Wright looked for a pass across to Mann when the shot looked on, however a Bourne defender came back well to deny Mann a chance.

Colchester had to see out the final five minutes with 10 men when Tim Wright made one to many comments out of turn and the umpire issued a Yellow Card. With Wright off the pitch in the final minute Bourne almost equalised. A penalty corner strike for the visitors was touched by keeper Phillips and Khaira on the line and somehow the ball stayed out.

Colchester will be happy at the way they came back in the match and will look to continue their forward play when they travel to London to play Wapping next week. Hills' Residential Men of the Match were Mark Kennedy for his sturdy work at the back and Matt Low for his work rate throughout the match.