Norwich Union 2 Colchester 5

NE14HOCKEY East League

Division 1N

Norwich Union 2 Colchester 5

Colchester ran out comfortable winners in their first game back after the Christmas break, beating Norwich Union 5-2 on Saturday.

Colchester started on the back foot and were under immense pressure in the opening ten minutes.

Norwich Union passed the ball around at pace and were rewarded with a 1-0 lead from a powerful strike after Colchester failed to clear from a short corner.

The lead was only temporary for the home side as Colchester pushed up the pitch and were awarded their own penalty corner.

The ball was switched right to Karen Harris who powered a cross in for Louise Bibby to strike past the keeper.

The visitor's doubled their lead in the space of minutes with another cross from Harris this time being met by Lucy Struth, who made no mistake in front of goal.

Colchester's third came soon after from open play, with Struth again involved, but this time lucky that her shot was deflected in by a Norwich Union player.

The second half was less fluent for Colchester with Norwich Union threatening on the break and it wasn't until mid way through the half that Colchester once again managed to score.

A driving run from the midfield by Anna Foley opened up the space for her pass to Stella Layzell, whose turn and shot gave the keeper no chance.

Colchester's fifth came from another penalty corner, this time slipped left to Angela Cook who slapped the ball past the keeper to give the visitor's a comfortable lead.

Norwich Union did pull one goal back with a fine strike from a penalty corner of their own. The score remained 5-2 to Colchester, consolidating their second place in the league.