By Lewis Camp

Witham Hockey Club first-team captain Richard Marshall said it was “nice to get a win” as his team ended a run of five games without a victory.

Marshall saw many positives from his side’s comfortable 4-1 away triumph over Crostyx, a win that saw Witham move into eighth place in the East League division two south table.

He said: “It was nice to have a strong team out as we only had 11 players available.

“It’s been an indifferent season but we have started to get a settled team and there are signs that we are improving.”

Witham have introduced a number of youth players into the first team this season and Marshall was pleased with their contribution.

He said: “I’m positive the youth players can find their feet.

“All three are currently playing very well. This was always going to be a consolidation season so we wanted to give them another year.”

Despite their poor form, Marshall believes his side are one of the strongest in the league and thinks availability issues are to blame for his side’s problems this term.

He said: “I believe we are one of the best teams in the league on our day.

“I think the priority now has to be safety as this is a very tough league and lack of availability has ruined our chances of pushing for promotion.”

Witham face local rivals Colchester tomorrow as they look to clinch consecutive league victories over a side sitting just two places below them in the table.