EAST LONDON III 2

COLCHESTER 3

East Men's Hockey League division three south east

COLCHESTER Hockey Club's first-team men's captain Simon Pearson-Burton insists they are not getting carried away with being top of the table.

The Garrison-based side consolidated their place at the division three south east summit with a 3-2 triumph, at East London III.

Colchester are top on goal difference but level on points with second-placed Chelmsford, who have played one game less.

Pearson-Burton said: "We haven’t really even considered being top.

"There are still a number of teams to play re-arranged fixtures and we have quite a few games to play until the end of the season.

"We just focus upon the team in front of us to get the next three points.

"We’re very pleased that the results continue to go our way but you’re only as good as your last performance.

"Although we won it wasn’t exactly an inspiring performance - I’m sure the Super Coach has a number of work on points in the week for us!"

Colchester started off in a rather sluggish fashion, perhaps due to them only having 11 players and a number of the team playing out of position.

East London took the lead after ten minutes following an impressive attack that saw the visitors' defence over-loaded.

With the back post unguarded, it was a pretty simple finish for the hosts.

The remainder of the first half was pretty even, with neither side really looking as though they were going to score.

Colchester player-coach Wayne Masters' second-half words of encouragement seemed to do the trick.

And after fine-tuning the formation, the goals started to come.

Craig Handford equalised shortly after half-time with a deft touch on the post to slip the ball into the goal.

And when seasoned veteran Masters calmly put the ball inside the post from the widest of angles, the visitors led.

Colchester raced into a 3-1 lead when the in-form Eli Hazleman scored from the most improbable of angles, following some majestic play.

And although East London capitalised on some ponderous play late on, it was too late for the hosts to salvage a draw.

Pearson-Burton added: "From our perspective the game didn’t feel that close but I can see how to the neutral it may have looked finely balanced.

"We have been in tight corners before but the confidence in our ability has taught us to be patient and not force the play, regardless of the scoreboard."

Colchester's player of the match was Ben Parker after he switched from attack to produce an industrious midfield performance.

There was no game for Colchester Ladies' first team after their East Women's League division one north game at Dereham was postponed.