Premier BCity of Peterborough II 2 Colchester 1Relegation threatened Colchester suffered a third straight defeat at the hands of a Peterborough side already assured of promotion to the top division of east hockey.

Premier B

City of Peterborough II 2 Colchester 1

Relegation threatened Colchester suffered a third straight defeat at the hands of a Peterborough side already assured of promotion to the top division of east hockey.

Colchester battled hard from the start but were always likely to be up against it playing the second place side in the league.

Peterborough started the game well and were almost gifted a great chance when Michael Pearce slipped, allowing a Peterborough forward to get the ball and make a run on goal, but Pearce regained his balance and put in a great tackle to stop his opponent getting the shot off.

Colchester's chances were very few, but the visitors took a surprise lead through a penalty corner. Some good work down the right by Rob Mann drew a foul in the 'D' and Ed Long-Price was on hand to fire a low drag-flick into the bottom corner.

Colchester continued to defend well and restricted the Peterborough attack. Peterborough's best chance came from penalty corners which, despite being numerous, were all defended superbly.

Peterborough did beat the Colchester keeper Grant Hibbert once in the first half but Matt Foakes was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Peterborough on the attack and Colchester defending stoutly. However, shortly after the interval Peterborough had drawn level and it was no surprise when it came from a penalty corner. The corner was mis-controlled but the ball found its way to a forward unmarked on the left, who fired his shot past Hibbert.

Colchester's only real chance of the second half came midway through the half through Long-Price, who saw his penalty corner drag-flick well-saved by the Peterborough keeper.

Peterborough finally took the lead late in the match when a straight strike from a penalty corner evaded Hibbert and hit the back of the net.

Hills Residential Men of the Match were the entire team for the battling display throughout the 70 minutes.

With results elsewhere going against Colchester this result left Colchester third from bottom with relegation a distinct possibility.

Colchester will being hoping for another battling display when they meet Chelmsford at home next week in the last league fixture of the season.