IES IV 6 Colchester V 0

Division 7SE

Ipswich East Suffolk IV 6 Colchester V 0

Although some changes of position were forced on IES by circumstance, they contrived to make heavy weather of the first half against bottom of the league Colchester.

Passes went astray and ball speeds rarely exceeded first gear, while Colchester's youth essayed valiantly to run their seniors ragged.

A change to a more attacking formation halfway through the first period failed to kick start the IES game and it was left to Clark, with a short corner strike as sweet as a nut to save their blushes.

Left in no doubt by the skipper as to the adequacy of their first half performance IES sprinted out of the blocks and took the game to Colchester. Steady pressure and a rejuvenated approach to both accuracy and velocity reaped its reward with a series of goals. Reed marauded into the D from the left side of midfield for number two, Hindle who, in an unfamiliar cameo at centre forward, swept in an impressive brace and Bentley tucked one in, having magnanimously surrendered his touch in from Clark's shot in the first half.

Whelpton completed the rout, just reward for a tireless performance as the lone, card carrying forward in the line up.

Although the honours were shared amongst a make shift forward line, with a little help from a couple of midfield adventurers, the effort was only made possible by some expertly stalwart and gritty defence from Black, Page, Ramsden, Adams, Gooch and Murray. A mention is also due to Keedle whose mazy runs dazzled the opposition and his own team in equal proportions.

This was not a classic but IES can feel pleased with the goal tally and much of the hockey played in the second half, which would have confounded those of the spectators who decided to cut their losses at half time.