Colchester II 2 Clacton 6

NE14Hockey Men's League

Colchester II 2 Clacton 6

Division 4SE

CLACTON didn't waste any time getting back into the season with an awesome display of flowing attacking hockey. The Seasiders looked sharp following the seven-week Christmas break and turned good possession into an early lead when Jamie Roberts waltzed into the home teams circle before laying the ball back for defensive midfield James Mead to open his account for the first team with a sweetly worked goal.

The Seasiders had the first half all their own way and went looking to finish the game off early, they doubled their lead when Rob Lukey neatly tucked home after Denzil Donovan followed Roberts lead by quick stepping down the left. Colchester fought hard and got to the break without conceding any more goals and with Nick Key, Gavin Underhay, Alex Mortimer, and Adam Smith getting the better of their opponents at the back Mike Key saw little action in the first half.

Underhay made some great interceptions allowing him to join in with the dancing forwards as Clacton proved they had players that can play anywhere on the pitch whilst keeping a synchronised shape.

After the break Clacton continued where they left off in the first half with Mead supplying Carl Parkes and Roberts with the freedom to freestyle their way through the home team. Donovan, Sam Hodge, Lukey, and Rik Coleman gave the home side too many steps to follow and when Parkes body popped around the back line Hodge was on hand to roof the loose ball for 3-0. Lukey then showed up for his second, before Clacton took their foot off the gas and allowed Colchester a sniff of a fight back at 4-1.

The Seasiders put pay to any nervousness when Roberts stole the ball on the edge of his own circle before firing the ball 40 yards to the wide open Dononvan who salsaed into the circle around the keeper and smashing the ball high into the net for 5-1. Colchester didn't throw in the towel and were rewarded with a second goal from a neatly worked short corner, before Coleman finished the scoring off after Parkes had rounded the defensive line giving Coleman the chance to poach from a millimetre to continue his hundred percent scoring record in games started.

This was a fantastic display of hockey and togetherness with everyone passing and moving that lead to some of the best goals Clacton have scored. With Upminster dropping points again Clacton are in a strong position to get promoted straight back to NE14Hockey Division 3SE and if they play like this every week then top spot is not out of reach. Next week Clacton take on Crostyx (Clacton Leisure Centre 2pm) who are now level on points with Upminster, eight back from Clacton.