Maidstone 5 Colchester 1

NE14hockey East Women's League

Premier Division

Maidstone 5 Colchester 1

THE first half saw both teams evenly matched with Colchester making some strong attacks, particularly down the right through Mersea Homes' player of the match Anna Foley.

While it looked like the first half would reflect the level of play, with both teams on an even score, the home team were awarded a penalty corner on the whistle of half time, which they capitalised on and went into the second half 1-0 up.

Maidstone altered their formation at half time in an attempt to overcome the Colchester defence, with a well-executed penalty corner enabling them to extend their lead to 2-0 shortly after the match restarted. Maidstone's attackers continued to get the better of the visitors and a great shot from a very narrow angle got the better of Colchester's defence resulting in a 3-0 lead.

Colchester continued to work hard and played some good team hockey. Lucy Struth showed some strong individual skill in the D where the Maidstone keeper saved her first shot, but Lucy was on hand again to pick the rebound up and put it in the back of the net closing the gap to 3-1.

Maidstone then got another goal back quickly when the defence were split and one of the strikers was left unmarked to extend their lead to 4-1. Yet another slick short corner routine meant that Colchester found themselves 5-1 down, which was a disappointing result after such a promising first half for the visiting team.

Next week Colchester host Thurrock at the Abbeyfields pitch in Colchester.