SAFFRON WALDEN III 1

COLCHESTER 3

East Men's League division three south

COLCHESTER kept the pressure on league leaders Chelmsford with a battling victory at Saffron Walden III.

Two goals from Harry Speck and another from Craig Handford helped them secure the win, leaving the Garrison-based side second and three points off top spot.

Colchester captain Simon Pearson-Burton said: "We were very pleased with the win and it was a really gutsy performance from the team.

"The game was not the most aesthetically pleasing of performances but we showed a level of determination in getting the win.

In a very tough game, Colchester fell 1-0 behind and struggled to click in the first half.

But Saffron Walden scoring served as a blessing as it seemed to motivate the visitors.

They were back on level terms almost immediately with a goal from youngster Speck, which ensured the visitors went in at the break.

Colchester absorbed an awful lot of pressure in the second half, much of which they created ourselves.

But their second goal came from Handford with a beautiful deflection, as a result of some patient build-up play.

And they made it 3-1 on the back of Saffron Walden throwing everything at them, in the last 15 minutes of the game.

Colchester were composed on the ball and pressed Saffron Walden hard.

That resulted in a turnover of the ball that led to Speck scoring a great counter-attacking goal to complete his brace and wrap up Colchester's win.

For the second successive week, Joe Sheppard was Colchester's man of the match.

Colchester travel to play third-placed Redbridge and Ilford on Saturday.

Pearson-Burton added: "This is going to be a big game for us.

"It’s definitely going to be up there with the Chelmsford match and the result will obviously start to put daylight between us.

"We're looking pretty strong for the weekend but a lot can happen to availability between now and Saturday."