COLCHESTER 1

WAPPING III 2

East Men's League division two

COLCHESTER Hockey Club men's captain Dean Campbell admits his side ran out of steam after suffering a narrow home loss to Wapping III.

Campbell's first-half strike had seen the hosts lead for a large chunk of the contest.

But the visitors struck twice in the second half to claim victory, at the Garrison.

Campbell said: "We were pretty strong in defence and midfield but in attack we let ourselves down a bit, myself included.

"We felt that Wapping were vulnerable on the counter-attack but we didn't do enough when we had the opportunities we did.

"We went ahead but only being one goal in front left us vulnerable.

"When we tired, we sat back trying to hold onto our lead and we didn't attack them.

"It was a game where we ran out of steam in the last ten minutes of each half and they were the times we struggled.

"I don't think we really came to terms with our own pitch, which was very dry and sticky."

Colchester took a first-half lead through skipper Campbell, who produced a composed finish to send a reverse-stick effort past the keeper from the top of the D following Toby Waddington's interception.

The hosts adopted an approach of three-quarter pressing, in an attempt to keep Wapping's midfield at bay.

They almost scored a second when Waddington's fine flick from a penalty corner was denied by the visiting keeper's great stick save.

Colchester did well to defend a number of penalty corners throughout the game but were unable to hold on, as Wapping scored twice in the second half to win.

"Wapping were well-drilled and were strong opposition," added Campbell.

"We know that they will be up there come the end of the season and we want to be up there too.

"I didn't think that Wapping were outstanding but they were well structured and had their fair share of possession."

Colchester's player of the match was keeper James Mortimer, who made some good saves and clearances and did well with the goalmouth scrambles he had to contend with.

Hugh Pearce, Ben Parker and Duncan Scott will all be missing for Colchester when they travel to play Bedford II, on Saturday.

Alex Pink bagged two and Rob Askam also scored as Colchester's men's second team continued their impressive start to the division five season with a 3-0 triumph at Romford.

But in the same division, Colchester III lost 3-0 to Old Southendian III and Colchester IV had to concede their division eight game against the same club, due to a lack of numbers.