NE14Hockey East LeagueDivision Four South East London Metropolitan University 4Clacton 2CLACTON started brightly taking the game to the strong opponents and earning the first short corner, but Ric Coleman saw his shot saved by the home keeper.

NE14Hockey East League

Division Four South East

London Metropolitan University 4

Clacton 2

CLACTON started brightly taking the game to the strong opponents and earning the first short corner, but Ric Coleman saw his shot saved by the home keeper. The home side showed their class with their first attack which saw a reverse stick shot being deflected into the net off the underside of the cross-bar leaving keeper Mike Key no chance for 1-0.

The Seasiders put in a solid team performance and had their opportunities in a good open game of hockey. The home side doubled their lead mid-way through the first half with another reverse stick shot from the top of the circle that found the corner for 2-0. Key made some critical saves in the first half to keep the Seasiders in touch. Casper Khan had another solid game at left back matching his man for strength and speed to defend his line. Gavin Underhay and Alex Mortimer defended stoutly and in the middle James Mead and Jamie Roberts kept the home side down to passing the ball sideways.

Up front Sam Hodge showed he could match the opponents mazy running with Densil Donovan showing good tenacity down the other flank. Rob Lukey and Francis Sanderson put in good shifts getting up and down the pitch to keep the Seasiders hanging in the game.

The second half saw Clacton pushing to get on the score sheet and when Captain Carl Parkes stole the ball off the opponents high up the pitch Coleman was lurking with intent in the circle. Parkes found Coleman after Donovan's run took away the defenders and Coleman showed great composure to nutmeg the last defender before smashing the ball passed the keeper to secure his hundred percent scoring record to make the score 3-1.

Parkes saved a drag flick short corner and man-of-the-match Key made more excellent saves as the home side danced around the Seasiders defence. Clacton kept battling, but were no match for the classy opponents. Clacton never sat back in awe and kept concentrating on their game with Khan, Mortimer, and Underhay all defending well under immense pressure. The home side made it 4-1 and from the push back Parkes fed Mortimer who found Hodge. Hodge dribbled past the opponents midfield, before taking on the defence and wrong footed the keeper to find Coleman who finished in his usual clinical style for his fifteen goal of the season and a respectable score line of 4-2.

Next week Clacton look to get back to winning ways and prolong the hundred percent home record with a fixture against Old Southendians at Clacton Leisure Centre (2pm).