EXPERIENCED Colchester and East Essex batsman Greg DeSilva says victory at bottom club Upminster tomorrow would be a “massive” result.

The Castle Park side, who lie second from bottom in the table with four games remaining, are desperate for a win to boost their Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division survival hopes.

Colchester currently lie 15 points adrift of safety, with the season drawing to a conclusion.

And with games against the likes of mid-table sides Chingford and Shenfield to come, DeSilva knows that it is essential they get the result they are looking for in their basement battle, this weekend.

DeSilva said: “It would be massive for us to get the win over Upminster.

“I don’t think we’ve been a very lucky team this season, so far.

“We’ve been affected by the weather and unavailability but we know that if we can win against Upminster, we have got games against mid-table teams which we think we can also win.

“It’s about gaining momentum, ahead of the games to come.

“We’re more than capable of getting the result that we need and there’s so much talent in the side.

“This season, there’s fewer experienced players in the side and it’s a case of us older ones guiding the younger ones through.

“A lot of it is a confidence thing and making sure that we believe in what we’re doing.”

Colchester will be hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Wanstead and Snaresbrook when they take on Upminster.

The Castle Park side went down to a heavy defeat at the league leaders but DeSilva says there were positives to take from the match, despite the final result.

He said: “Wanstead know exactly how to play on their wicket in order to get results and you can see that by the fact that they’re sitting top of the league table.

“They start with a seam attack and then after about 15 overs, they revert to spin and stick with that after that.

“They have a team perfectly suited to that but despite the scorecard, I think we put up a good fight against them last weekend.”

This season is Jake Foley’s first as the club’s first XI captain and DeSilva believes the former Hampshire youngster is doing well.

“Jake’s doing a great job,” he said.

“He’s still a young man and inexperienced in this league.

“As a captain, he’s trying to draw upon the experience that there is around him in the side but also stay positive and build everyone up, which isn’t always easy when you lose games.”

Colchester are likely to have former captain Julian Russell available again at Upminster tomorrow and DeSilva says that will give them a significant lift.

He added: “Having Julian Russell available is a big boost.

“He has a proven record and he’s a leader, having been a captain in the past.”