COLCHESTER Hockey Club men's first team captain Rob Askam knows how important this weekend's game could be against Chelmsford seconds as they bid to move away from the drop zone in East League division two south.

A 4-1 defeat at East London twos on Saturday kept Colchester lodged in the bottom two in the table, with only Witham below them in the standings, and Askam knows his team can't afford to lose pace with the group of sides just above them.

So he is hoping that home-field advantage, a strengthened line-up from the one they were able to take to East London and a raucous home backing from the sidelines will combine to push them on to a crucial victory against their Essex rivals.

Colchester head into the game sat four points behind the side just above them in the table and six points away from Chelmsford, who are in mid-table and the skipper feels it is important to stay in touch.

Askam said: "This is one of the most important games; firstly to keep the team's heads up and also to make sure we don't drop too far.

"We're looking stronger than we were last Saturday and hopefully, with our home crowd and a later game, we will have the support and drive to get another win under our belts."

With only three games to go until the mid-season break over the Christmas and New Year period, Colchester are looking to sign off strongly to tee up a solid second half to the campaign.

Askam said that getting a consistent line-up each week had proved difficult in the opening part of the season, but he is hoping that improves, as well as their league position, in the latter stages.

"Commitment has been our issue," he added.

"With almost a different team each week we have been unable to create a team dynamic that works.

"So this week (against Chelmsford) is a very important game to keep us in reaching distance of the middle of the table.

"In the second half of the season, we will regain a few players that have been unavailable and hopefully that will allow us to start regaining some positions in the table."

The Colchester captain admitted that having only 11 players available for the trip to East London last week hadn't helped them and although the division two south encounter did get off to an encouraging start, they weren't able to carry it on until the final whistle.

Askam said: "Craig Handford put us ahead within the first ten minutes with a great interception between the East London defensive players before taking the ball around the keeper.

"Unfortunately, though, it wasn't the game we were expecting.

"We went with a bare 11 team due to some unfortunate drop outs which made the game even tougher."