WAPPING V 2

COLCHESTER 5

East Men's League division three south east

COLCHESTER Hockey Club's men's team moved up to second in the table thanks to a fine win at Wapping V.

Ben Parker and Eli Hazelman both scored twice in the win, while Henry Speck poached one on the line to deny Hazelman his hat-trick.

Colchester captain Simon Pearson-Burton said: "We worked hard to create our chances and we took them well.

"It certainly wasn’t the most beautiful game of hockey but we played some nice counter-attacking hockey and scored some decent goals.

"I wouldn’t say we had a dominating grip on the game but we were more clinical at both ends of the pitch.

"We're delighted to be at the right end of the table at this early stage of the season.

"But we still have to play teams who are in and around us."

The first half was a very open and frantic affair.

Both sides had the chance to take the lead but Colchester went into half-time two goals the better.

Wapping scored twice in the second half but on both occasions, the visitors responded almost immediately with goals of their own.

Lloyd Dennis was Colchester's man of the match and Pearson-Burton said: "He ran like a man possessed covering the length of the pitch to defend and then running it again to get back up front where he belongs."

Colchester host second-from-bottom side Crostyx II on Saturday and Pearson-Burton insists they will not be taking their opponents lightly.

He added: "It's extremely important to avoid complacency.

"You never know what selection issues other teams have been up against and what we may come up against in the future."

In division four, Colchester's second team lost 5-3 at Brentwood III while in division six, Colchester III were beaten 3-2 at home by Basildon.

Colchester IV lost 5-0 at home to Redbridge & Ilford Academy, in division eight.