Colchester and East Essex ready for vital weekend

Jake Foley’s side face a crunch top-of-the-table clash at Castle Park tomorrow, with second-placed Harold Wood the visitors in Shepherd Neame Essex League division one.

And Colchester then turn their attentions to Dukes Essex T20 Finals Day at Billericay the following day, where they will take on Upminster in the semi-finals for the right to play either Brentwood or Hornchurch in the final.

Colchester head into their division one clash lying in fourth place in the table, following their one-sided ten-wicket defeat at the hands of Belhus last weekend.

However, they are only four points adrift of their visitors ahead of tomorrow’s game and know that a win could lift them back into the promotion places.

Skipper Foley said: “Harold Wood are second in the division at the moment but we know that if we win, we can go above them.

“It will be a tough game but we’re back at the Park and we’ll be looking to get a win.

“I think we prefer batting at home, on our own wicket.

“It’s very important that we put in a much better batting performance.

“We have to keep doing our thing and make sure we do the basics well.

“In the Premier League, all of the teams are strong and have depth.

“In division one, there are usually two or three good batsmen and bowlers in each side who could easily be playing in the Premier League.

“Every team wants to beat us but we all want to go back up to the Premier League and we have to show that kind of hunger in every game.”

Colchester are set to be boosted by the return of experienced batting duo Julian Russell and Greg De Silva against Harold Wood, while Joe Austin could also return.

Meanwhile, Colchester are hoping to add some more silverware to their Castle Park cabinet when they contest Dukes Essex T20 Finals Day.

Colchester should be boosted by the return of Ollie Bocking to their squad for the event.

“It should be a good day on Sunday and everyone’s looking forward to it,” added Foley.