Clacton4

BSHC5

(Printwize East Premier A' League)BISHOP'S STORTFORD Hockey Club rediscovered their winning ways at the weekend, beating Clacton in an exciting game that ended 54.

Although Stortford were the better team on the day, Clacton exerted lengthy periods of pressure to keep the game undecided to the end.

The match started well for Stortford with goals from Ricard Jones and Ed Peachey giving them a two-goal lead.

Peachey then could have added a third when sent clear with only the keeper to beat, but a good save was immediately converted into a counter-attack which saw Clacton break clear to pull one back just before half time.

Clacton then equalised and were looking to take the lead when a searching through ball from John Shepherd found Tony Colclough and he produced a wonderful solo goal, shooting high into the top corner. Colclough then added another a couple of minutes later.

But Clacton responded immediately to bring the scores to 4-3.

By now the game was stretched and opportunities were appearing at both ends but it was Dan Lochhead who took the initiative, finishing a good move to put the visitors two goals clear again.

With five minutes left Clacton were given a lifeline when a foul resulted in a penalty flick, which they converted to bring the score back to 5-4. Clacton had a penalty corner saved by the Stortford keeper, Matt Morris, at the very end to deny them a point.

Afterwards, John Shepherd commented: "It's always difficult to come here and get a result. This was an important one to win today."

Next week Stortford play the third placed team, Crostyx, at Hockerill.

December 6, 2001 17:52