OLD Southendian men’s first XI enjoyed their most comfortable win of the season, beating Colchester 3-0 at Warners Bridge to maintain pressure on the two teams above them at the top of East Division One.

The Old Boys started brightly, and were rewarded for their high tempo with a couple of early goals. The first was set up beautifully by Giles Davies, launching an aerial pass from a side line ball over the head of the last defender to club talisman Stuart MacDonald.

McDonald then advanced into the circle and buried a shot into the corner of the goal. The lead was then extended by a sharp finish from striker Tim Robinson, lifting the ball high into the goal on his reverse stick to leave the goalkeeper with little chance. With confidence flowing through the team, and the opposition struggling to contain the home team’s ball pace and movement, the lead should have been exntended further.

However, a series of opportunities flashed wide of the goal to leave the game poised at 2-0 at half time.

Having squandered a 2-0 half time lead to lose 3-2 against the same opposition last season when a win would have secured promotion, the Old Boys started the second half with extra fight and determination to put that memory behind them.

And nerves were quickly settled when, from the team’s first penalty corner of the half, Alfie Hibbard was quickest to react to turn the ball into the goal from a well executed routine.

At the other end, the Old Boys defence snuffed out any Colchester attack to secure their fifth clean sheet from the opening ten games of the season.

The Old Boys came close to further extending their lead in the closing minutes, but Harry Badger lifted a shot over the advancing keeper just wide of the post to leave the final score as a 3-0 win to the home side.

The only disappointment of the day was an injury sustained by David Catchpole, who looks set to be sidelined until the New Year with a badly broken finger caused by a raised hit from a Colchester defender.

Elsewhere in the club there were wins for the men’s third and fourth teams and the ladies second team, but defeats for the men’s seconds, fifths, sixths and ladies firsts.