Cambridge 4 Chelmsford 1
England Hockey League
Women's Conference East
Cambridge 4 Chelmsford 1
CHELMSFORD coach Alan Lindsay warned that Chelmsford will be the team everyone will want to beat in this league, following last year's relegation from England's Premier League. Cambridge City, second to bottom and the clear underdogs, readily proved the point and forgot their status to battle through this tough game to take the points.
From the start Cambridge flew in the faces of Chelmsford and opened their scoring after just two minutes. Chelmsford regrouped and put together some fine hockey true to their capabilities. A great attacking run from captain Marie Kirkham resulted in Chelmsford's first short corner, but without the desired conversion. Midway through the first half a swift interception and push forward by Sarah Bolton in the centre of the pitch found Julia Butterworth just outside the D and her precise pass to Sarah Glanvill resulted in a shot just left of the goal post. Chelmsford pressed on, creating chance after chance but at half time still remained in arrears.
Chelmsford started the second half in determined mood. A break through the Cambridge defence by Harri Kinnear gave her a possible shot on goal but the Cambridge keeper did enough to force the ball to safety. Cambridge kept their act together under constant pressure and in a fast counter-attack took their lead to 2-0.
Chelmsford continued their attacking play and a skilful weaving run by Beth Wilde into the D resulted in a short corner that Wilde herself deflected into the net. With everything now to play for Chelmsford came forward in numbers but exposed their defence and another agonising break away saw Cambridge stretch their lead to 3-1.
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Chelmsford were now truly unsettled as a team and despite some good individual play and creation of numerous chances could not get the required goals. Cambridge rounded off the upset with a final sally that ended the game with a somewhat flattering fourth goal. Chelmsford remain very much in the leading group in the league and will want to return to winning form when they face Essex rivals Old Loughtonians at home on Sunday, November 22 starting at noon.
