Chelmsford 10 City of Peterborough 1

Slazenger England Hockey Men's League

Conference East

Chelmsford 10 City of Peterborough 1

LAST weekend saw the most important game of Chelmsford's season so far, and it ultimately proved comprehensive. The home side, playing at home in front of an expectant crowd, dispatched Peterborough 10 goals to one in a vital clash between two sides floundering at the tail end of the league table.

Chelmsford's superiority was evident from the beginning, with Josh Mepham scoring after only two minutes through a piece of clinical finishing at the far post. The second goal came only seven minutes later. Elliott Seleska successfully wrong footing the 'keeper from the top of the 'D.' Chelmsford's Adam Hunter then got in on the action, scoring from a routine short-corner, although much to his dismay he found out after the match that it was attributed to someone else!

Elliott Seleska scored again 15 minutes later extending Chelmsford's lead to 4-0, gathering the rebound from an earlier strike and finishing well. On the 33rd minute Peterborough obtained their only consolation, Joe Bradley scoring after a scrappy period of play but their celebrations were short-lived. Two minutes later Luke Mepham scored from another penalty corner just before the interval.

Despite leading at the break and in a relatively comfortable position for the first time this season, the second half saw another five Chelmsford goals without reply. Ross Henderson scored twice and Josh Mepham completed his hat-trick. Whilst recent Australian signing Geoff Mills scored his debut goal a minute from time. Excellent cameo performances from teenagers Oliver Wickham and Richard Nourse showed promise and a goal mouth clearance in the first half by Captain Ian Belchamber proved Chelmsford's qualities at both ends of the pitch.

This result lifts Chelmsford clear of the relegation zone for the first time this season and into eighth position, only four points adrift of Holcombe in seventh. City of Peterborough displace Chelmsford at the bottom and look to be in trouble. On Sunday Chelmsford play away against local rivals Old Loughtonians, the game pushes back at 2pm at Old Loughts Luxborough Lane venue.