Wapping 3 Colchester 1

NE14Hockey East Men's League

Premier B

Wapping 3 Colchester 1

COLCHESTER suffered defeat again on their travels as Wapping came from behind to beat a spirited display from the away side. It was the home side that started the brighter and a reckless challenge in defence lead to the first penalty corner of the match. Luckily for Colchester a bobble prevented any chance for the hosts.

Wapping were playing with confidence and creating chances however they were unable to find the finishing touches. A Wapping midfielder shooting wide after a good run which saw him beat a number of Colchester players and rounding the goalkeeper.

Wapping were having the best of the game and won a couple of penalty corners, however the Colchester defence was working well with Liam Phillips making a good save and Michael Pearce getting out well to get in a block and deny a chance.

Colchester took the lead late in the first half. A penalty corner to the hosts was broken down and Colchester broke quickly through Matt Brown and James Logan. Logan centred the ball past the Wapping keeper to Rob Mann, who was crudely tackled and the umpire awarded a Penalty Stroke. Matt Brown stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.

Colchester went into half time happy with the work rate and were looking for more of the same in the second half. However shortly after half time the hosts had equalised. Rohan Khaira looked to block a cross from the right but only succeeded in tipping the ball past Phillips in the Colchester goal.

The hosts soon had a second goal through a penalty corner award. The ball being drag-flicked past Phillips to his right. Colchester continued to battler and had a chance to equalise through Rob Mann, however Mann was unable to beat the goalkeeper one on one.

Wapping's third goal came in dubious circumstances. The umpire saw a foul, which none of the Colchester players had seen and awarded a penalty corner and when Michael Pearce said something the umpire issued a yellow card and gave him five minutes in the bin. From the penalty corner the host had their third, a carbon copy of the second goal.

Colchester however continued to show good effort and a flowing move almost saw Colchester back in the game. Rohan Khaira and Matt Brown combined well and Khaira's cross was touched by the Wapping goalkeeper making it difficult for Rob Mann to get in a shot at the back post.

There was still time for Tim Wright to say something out of turn and get his third yellow card of the season, which means he will miss next weeks game at home to the league leaders, West Herts.

Hills Residential Man of The Match was Liam Phillips for a string of fine saves in the first half.