WITHAM 10

COLCHESTER 6

East Men’s Hockey League division two south

COLCHESTER’S season ended in remarkable fashion after a staggering 16 goals were scored in their final game at Witham.

The hosts needed to hit the goal trail to give themselves any chance of staying in division two south but despite their big victory, they still went down after Crostyx only lost 6-4 at West Herts III.

Colchester, who were leading 6-5 at one stage in the second half, have finished the campaign in seventh place and captain Dean Campbell was left frustrated that they did not finish higher in the table.

Campbell, who has finished as Colchester’s leading scorer with 21 goals, said: “It was a bit of a disappointing way to end the season.

“I can’t recall playing in a game where so many goals were scored.

“We tried to get motivated for it and we really wanted fourth place but Witham went all-out attack.

“We chased the game for it and had it meant more, we would have changed our approach a bit earlier.

“It’s disappointing because we wanted a better showing but I can’t fault the players too much.”

A shell-shocked Colchester found themselves 4-0 down after 20 minutes.

But they responded well in the minutes leading up to half-time and trailed by only one goal, at the break.

Richard Sexton pulled a goal back from a penalty corner and Ben Parker made it 4-2, before Campbell converted John Wilson’s pass unmarked at the back post.

Campbell then deflected a cross through his legs and in for 4-4 just after the break.

And Parker scored his second of the game when he slotted in with a flick from general play, after Campbell had drawn the keeper.

Witham drew back to 5-5 but when Tim Wright scored following good play by Campbell, Colchester were in control.

However, the hosts finished the game strongly and scored five times to claim a big win.

Colchester’s Ellisons Solicitors player of the match was defender Aarron Taylor.

Colchester’s men’s second team, who have been relegated from division four, ended the season with a 4-2 defeat at Havering.

In division five, Colchester’s third team have finished ninth after losing their final game 2-1 at home to Crostyx II.

Colchester’s fourth team, who have been relegated, finished the division seven campaign on a winning note thanks to a 4-1 win over Havering.