Maldon & Lt Baddow 1 Clacton 3

NE14Hockey Division Four

South East

Maldon & Little Baddow 1 Clacton 3

CLACTON escaped a reduction in the available squad and took a three goal lead into the break to secure a good victory cementing last week's goal difference and with Upminster slipping up again losing to Colchester and find themselves on top of the table going into their Christmas break as London Metropolitan University had their game abandoned.

The Seasiders were struggling with unavailability going into the last game before the break with Coleman, Khan, Herr, and Nick Key all missing. Clacton turned to stalwart Peter Wright who accepted the cry for help without hesitation to put in a solid performance to secure the back line having not played for nine months.

Clacton made their man advantage tell with Rob Lukey finding the goal Coleman-like to give the Seasiders an early 1-0 lead. When Jamie Roberts quick feet allowed him to intercept a rare home side attacking move he found Sam Hodge running into space and Hodge rounded the last defender before committing the keeper and finishing with a pin point reverse stick flick into the top corner for 2-0. On the stroke of half-time Captain Carl Parkes fired in a free-hit that found Lukey in the right place again to get in front of his defender a deflect home the result securing third for his sixth of the season.

The Seasiders looked to control possession in the second half with the home side pushing on in an attempt to get themselves back into the game. When Parkes let his man drift into the circle and failed to get anything on the through ball Matt Brooking calmly deflected the ball home to give the home side a slim light to chase. Clacton were in control of the result, but had to absorb some sustained pressure from the home team. Mike Key had little to do with Wright enjoying his post retirement match. Gavin Underhay kept his man out of the game and Colin Hook secured the left. James Mead was solid in the midfield screen allowing Roberts and Parkes the freedom of the pitch and up front Denzil Donovan and Lukey caused terror with man-of-the-match Hodge providing the raw pass and skill to setup chances and free-hits in dangerous areas.

Clacton could have scored a number of goals but a mix of good defending, not so good finishing and some interesting bounces off an astro made of patchwork quilting meant they were unable to extend their goal tally. The home side had their chances too, but they failed to ask questions of keeper Mike Key with the best chance finding Norton completely free at the top of the circle only to fire wide.

The Seasiders finished the first half of the season having only lost one game to exceptional London Metropolitan University and two draws with Upminster and Crostyx. Clacton look pretty on top of the table with London Metropolitan having two games in hand and effectively still top, but more crucially Clacton are now five points clear of Upminster in the race for that second promotion spot and will enjoy the six week break before coming back January 17 to start the homeward stretch to secure their bounce back to a league that matches their players and performances.