Colchester Sunday League .... 2
Clacton Sunday League ....... 1

A tragic defensive blunder 20 minutes from time settled this bruising encounter at Bromley Road on Sunday.

It puts holders Colchester through to the final of the Home Counties Inter League Cup against Thurrock and repeated their semi-final success of last season over Clacton.

Yet Colchester looked to have blown their chances chances midway through the second half when with the scores level, centre-half Doug Warner was sent off by referee Barry Pitcher for a reckless tackle on Bobby Taylor, having been booked for a similar offence in the first half.

Steve Sharman had fired Colchester in front with a splendid goal in the tenth minute after good work by Dave Lamont and Dave Knight. Clacton trailed for just eight minutes. A John Duffy free kick floated high into the box and the giant figure of Keith Hockley rose unchallenged to blast a header past Gerry Warner.

Despite the absence of their Clacton trio, the visitors more than held their own. However, the dismissal of Warner seemed to inspire ten-men Colchester to greater effort. With Geoff Bennett moving into the back four, Lamont began to take charge of midfield. But it was Knight who profited when Duffy lobbed a back pass over the head of advancing keeper Peter Everitt, leaving the Elmstead striker with the easiest of chances.

Knight squandered another opportunity to put the issue beond doubt while Lamont also hit a post as Colchester finished the stronger of two tired sides. The final against Thurrock will be played at Maldon on May 21.

ROBIN FROST

Courtesy ECS 14th April 1978

Colchester Sunday League retained the Home Counties Inter-League trophy by beating Thurrock 2-0 at Maldon on Sunday.

Thurrock started well, putting a lot of pressure on the Colchester defence who defended well. On the occasions that they managed to get near the goal everything was taken confidently by goalkeeping Gerry Warner. Colchester were being caught repeatedly by a Thurrock defence playing offside.

Colchester gradually pulled themselves back into the game and took the lead after 30 minutes when Seve Sharman only half hit the ball but it found its way into the net under the goalkeeper's body. The keeper should have stopped it.

After 40 minutes Dave Knight, for once, did beat the off-side trap and from the edge of the box hit a terrific drive the goalkeeper could only parry. The ball ran loose to Dave Mayhew who smashed it home to give Colchester a two-goal advantage.

In the second half Colchester took control and dominated the midfield but due to some inspired goalkeeping and unbelievable misses were unable to add to their score.

Colchester: G.Warner (QB), D.Miller (Elmstead), D.Warner (Elmstead), G.Sharman (Gaslights), S.Shaw (Coggeshall), D.Lamont (Elmstead) capt. G.Bennett (Elmstead), D.Mayhew (Elmstead), G.Powell (Moler), S.Sharman (Elmstead), D.Knight (Elmstead). Sub: J.Lamont (Elmstead)

Courtesy ECS 26th May 1978