COLCHESTER and East Essex Cricket Club captain Jake Foley admits they must deal with the pressure of opponents raising their game against them, this season.

The Castle Park club’s first XI are looking to return to the Shepherd Neame Essex League top flight at the first time of asking, following their relegation to division one last year.

Colchester fell to their first defeat of the season last weekend after losing by eight runs at Orsett and Thurrock.

And ahead of their home match with Buckhurst Hill tomorrow, skipper Foley says they must get used to rival teams being eager to claim victory against them.

Foley said: “We’ve found that we go to these clubs that they all want to beat us and do well against us.

“It makes things a bit harder for us but we know that we’re good enough.

“We were only 50 per cent last weekend but still came very close to winning.

“However, we know that we can’t let it slip like we did.”

Colchester this weekend host a Buckhurst Hill side still searching for their first league win of the season, following one draw and one abandonment in their opening two games.

“It should be a good game against Buckhurst Hill,” said Foley.

“We know that if we play well then we should get the win and we need to show that we’re a better side than last week.”

Experienced bowling duo Ben Stephens and Darren Eckford are both unavailable for Colchester tomorrow but batsmen Greg DeSilva and Joe McGregor will be recalled.

Charlie Fernandes is also out, so Alex Young will feature.

Foley added: “There will be a few changes and the boys will want to get back to winning ways.

“Our batting line-up is very strong this week and hopefully, the bowling will be strong, too and we will have some spin options.

“I’m confident that we can deal with the alterations and it’s still very early on in the season; we know that there will be players out at some points of the season.”

Colchester’s first XI are also in action on Bank Holiday Monday when they travel to Buckhurst Hill for the Dukes Essex T20 competition.

They take on Shenfield in the first round and if they win, will play the winners of the Buckhurst Hill v Ilford match in the next round.