COLCHESTER held on for a scrappy 3-2 NE14HOCKEY East Women's League division one north win against Harleston.

Colchester were relaxed as the whistle went, but soon found themselves off the pace and misplacing passes.

Luckily for the visitors, Harleston were unable to take advantage of Colchester's scrappy play.

Colchester were just starting to make inroads into the Harleston half when a breakaway move resulted in a short corner at the other end.

The strike proved too powerful for the Colchester defence and gave Harleston a 1-0 lead.

Colchester stepped up a gear and pulled back an equaliser minutes later as a free-hit from the edge of the D was played into Helen Barnes whose neat touch and turn created the space for a pass to Louise Bibby who made no mistake from close range.

The sides went into half-time level at 1-1.

Colchester resumed control of the game for much of the second half but found it difficult to find a way past a strong Harleston keeper.

The visitor's were rewarded for their pressure when Mel Cooper found Angela Cook unmarked in the D.

The resulting strike was saved by a defender's foot and Colchester were awarded a penalty flick.

Anna Foley beat the keeper with a low flick to the left for a 2-1 lead.

But as in the first half, the home side created a breakaway opportunity and from a short corner levelled the score.

Anna Foley then produced a fine piece of individual skill and forced the ball into the goal for the three points.